CNSA: Tianzhou-5 spacecraft docked with China space station

At the end of October the CNSA extension has launched the latest module of the Chinese space station Tiangong called Mengtian. This merged with Tianhe and Wentian to form the structure (which now has an a “T”) considered definitive at least for the next few years. Now, however, the CSS will continue operations with the various crews on board which will follow one another over the months, arriving at the end of 2022 with six taikonauts present at the same time. In recent days, the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft which brought fresh food and supplies to the mission crew Shenzhou-14.

The three crew members have been aboard CSS since early June and have already performed two extravehicular activities, one in early September and one in the second half of the month. During these months they also witnessed the arrival of the two laboratory modules (Wentian and Mengtian) as well as performing various experiments. Altogether Shenzhou-14 it could be considered the most complex mission for the number of tasks performed and their difficulty among those performed so far on board the CSS.

Tianzhou-5: in two hours from Earth to docking with Tiangong

The launch of the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft it took place on November 12 at 3:03 (Italian time) from the Wenchang spaceport. The space rocket used was a Long March 7 Y6 which released the payload ten minutes after takeoff allowing the docking with CSS at 5:10 (Italian time). This is a very interesting result as it is a “record” for the time between launch and docking at the Chinese space station. Previously the time taken was 6.5 hours.

As in the case of Roscosmos, it seems that the CNSA extension want to try to implement rapid docking operations for their own cargo and future manned spacecraft. This allows to avoid that the astronauts stay on board the spacecraft for the shortest possible time, reducing the risks. Also, as explained by Li Guangri (of CAST) if, for example, there was a scientific experiment with live animals, a shorter journey time could be chosen.

Outside the Tianzhou-5 spacecraft featured was a high-energy particle detector, a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell that serves as a prototype for future lunar missions, and a Cubesat called Macau that will be released in about a month.

Mao Wanbiao (Xichang Satellite Launch Center deputy director) said “I would say the launch went smoothly…very smooth indeed. All systems, including measurement and control, communications, meteorology and logistics, worked well. […] Both the process and the result were a complete success”.

As written above, there are provisions on board the spacecraft for the crews of Shenzhou-14 and of Shenzhou-15 (whose mission will last 6 months), as well as obviously new experiments. Total payload was 6.7 tons including 5.2 tons of food and 1.4 tons of propellant. A new internal design also allows you to have more space and therefore to load a greater number of scientific experiments.

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