Chinese space station. The Chinese space station, known as **Tiangong**, which translates to "Heavenly Palace," is a modular space station being constructed and operated by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). Here are some key details about the Tiangong space station: 1. **Modular Design**: Tiangong is designed to be a modular space station, similar to the International Space Station (ISS). It consists of a core module and additional laboratory modules that can be added over time. 2. **Core Module**: The first module, called **Tianhe** (Harmony of the Heavens), was launched on April 29, 2021. It serves as the main living and working space for astronauts and contains essential systems for life support, navigation, and communication. 3. **Laboratory Modules**: Two additional laboratory modules, **Wentian** (Quest for the Heavens) and **Mengtian** (Dreaming of the Heavens), are planned to be launched to expand the station's capabilities. Wentian was launched on July 24, 2022, and Mengtian followed on October 31, 2022. 4. **Crewed Missions**: Tiangong is designed to support long-duration crewed missions. It can accommodate three astronauts for extended stays, with the capability to host six astronauts during crew changeovers. 5. **Scientific Research**: The space station is intended for a wide range of scientific research, including experiments in microgravity, Earth observation, astronomy, and technology demonstrations. It aims to contribute to advancements in various fields, including biology, physics, and materials science. 6. **International Collaboration**: While primarily a Chinese initiative, Tiangong is open to international collaboration. China has expressed interest in working with other countries and organizations on scientific experiments and research aboard the station. 7. **Completion and Operations**: The construction of Tiangong is expected to be completed by 2022, with ongoing operations planned for at least a decade. The station will be regularly resupplied and crewed through a series of missions. ### Significance The Tiangong space station represents a significant milestone in China's space exploration efforts. It showcases China's growing capabilities in human spaceflight and aims to establish a permanent human presence in low Earth orbit, contributing to global scientific knowledge and international cooperation in space exploration.
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