Space station
China will launch three missions to begin construction of its space station. SpaceNews reports.
The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology is completing the rockets intended to launch the country’s first space station module, as well as a cargo and refueling vehicle.
According to SpaceNews, China plans to build its three-module station over 11 planned missions. The country also plans to launch a mission with crew using the same rockets.
Heavy light
The Long March 5B heavy-lift rocket developed by the Launch Vehicle Technology Academy is intended to carry the first module, which weighs a hefty 22 tons, into orbit as fast as this spring. Exactly when the launch will take place is still unclear.
“We will soon complete the construction of China’s first long-range space station with crews that will reach advanced world levels and conduct large-scale scientific research on it,” China’s human space program chief designer Zhou Jianping told state news quoted by SpaceNews.
“We firmly believe that it will play an important role in the forefront of scientific exploration of humanity and also in the development of our space technology,” he added.
In 2022, the country also plans to send a Hubble-class space telescope called Xuntian to join the orbit of its space station.
READ MORE: China prepares for space station, cargo and crew launches [SpaceNews]
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