New Chinese space laboratory

China is preparing for a new round of manned space missions with the launch of its second orbital laboratory, named Tiangong-2. The module will serve as a testbed for China’s future permanently-manned space station

TIANGONG-2 (“Heavenly Palace”) Expected to be similar in size to Tiangong-1, launched in 2011. Will enable crews
to stay in orbit for 30 days

Resource module Solar panels, engines and other equipment

Robot arm

Long March 2F-T2
Tiangong launch vehicle
Height: 52m
Payload: 8.6 tonnes
to low Earth orbit

LAUNCH SCHEDULE Sep 2016 Tiangong-2

Oct 2016 Shenzhou-11 (further Shenzhou launches 2017-22)

Apr 2017: First Tianzhou automated cargo ship.In-orbit fuel transfer test

2018: Core cabin module (CCM)

Experiment module Improved living conditions. Used to conduct relatively large scale experiments compared to China’s
previous efforts

Shenzhou: Manned craft will rendezvous to verify docking technology

Banxing: Micro satellite accompanies Tiangong as technology demonstrator

FUTURE SPACE STATION

Crew: 3 Weight: 60 tonnes

LCM1

Shenzhou

Tianzhou

CCM

LCM2

2020-22 Two laboratory cabin modules (LCM1, LCM2)

Sources: NASA, China National Space Administration