Tiangong space station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tiangong Space Station

A rendering of the station with the Tianhe at centre of picture, a Tianzhou on its aft port, the Wentian on its starboard port to the left, the Mengtian on its portside port to the right and two Shenzhou spacecraft, sharing its multi-docking hub
Station statistics
Crew	Maximum: 6 Currently aboard: 3 (Shenzhou 18) Expedition: 7 Commander: Ye Guangfu (PLAAC)
Launch	29 April 2021 (Tianhe) 24 July 2022 (Wentian) 31 October 2022 (Mengtian) ~2026 (Xuntian)
Launch pad	Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site LC-1
Mission status	Operational
Mass	~ 100,000 kg
Length	~ 55.6 m
Diameter	~ 39.0 m
Pressurised volume	340 m3 (12,000 cu ft) Habitable: 122 m3 (4,310 cu ft)
Perigee	386.4 km
Apogee	391.8 km
Orbital inclination	41.47°
Typical orbit altitude	389.1 km
Orbital speed	7.67 km/s
Orbital period	92.3 minutes
Days in orbit	1526 days, 14 hours, 17 minutes (3 July 2025)
Days occupied	1395 days, 23 hours and 56 minutes (3 July 2025)
Statistics as of 25 April 2024
Configuration
Station elements as of April 2024 (exploded view)

The Tiangong (which means "Sky Palace" in Chinese) is a space station built by China. It is operated by the China Manned Space Agency. This station is made of different parts, called modules, that connect together in space. It orbits Earth between 340 and 450 kilometers (about 211 to 280 miles) above the surface.

Tiangong is China's first long-term space station. It is part of the Tiangong program. The station is a place for astronauts to live and work. They do many experiments in space. The station helps China learn more about science and technology. It is about one-third the size of the International Space Station.

Building the station used what China learned from its earlier test stations, Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2. The first main part, the Tianhe ("Harmony of the Heavens"), was launched on April 29, 2021. After that, more missions sent astronauts and supplies. Two laboratory modules were added. The first, Wentian ("Quest for the Heavens"), launched on July 24, 2022. The second, Mengtian ("Dreaming of the Heavens"), launched on October 31, 2022.

What's in a Name?

The names for China's space program often come from ancient Chinese stories and myths. For example, the space capsule is called Shenzhou (Divine Vessel). The space station is named Tiangong, which means "Heavenly Palace." This name makes people think of beautiful, mystical places.

In 2013, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced the names for the space station and its parts:

• The first test space labs were called Tiangong (Sky Palace). Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2 were launched in 2011 and 2016.
• The large space station we see today is also called Tiangong.
• The cargo spacecraft that carries supplies is called Tianzhou (Heavenly Ship).
• The main part of the station is the Tianhe (Harmony of the Heavens) Core Module.
• The first experiment module is Wentian (Quest for the Heavens).
• The second experiment module is Mengtian (Dreaming of the Heavens).
• A separate space telescope that will orbit near the station is called Xuntian (Touring the Heavens). It is planned for launch in 2026.

Why Build Tiangong?

The main goal of Tiangong is to learn how to live and work in space for a long time. It helps China practice connecting spacecraft in orbit. It also tests ways to keep astronauts healthy and supplied far from Earth.

The station is a platform for many important activities:

• Space Experiments: Scientists can do experiments in space that are impossible on Earth.
• Future Space Travel: It helps develop new technologies for future trips, even to deep space.
• New Ideas: China wants private companies to get involved. This could lead to new, cheaper ways to explore space.
• Space Tourism: Even space tourism is being considered for the future!

Scientific Research

Basic space experiment cabinet of Tiangong space station

The Tiangong space station has 23 special racks inside for experiments. There are also places outside the station for experiments to be exposed to space. Over 1,000 experiments are planned for the station.

One interesting area of research is agriculture in microgravity. Astronauts have grown rice and a plant called Arabidopsis thaliana. This helps scientists learn how to grow food for long space missions.

Experiments cover many fields, including:

• Space life sciences and biotechnology.
• How fluids and fire behave in microgravity.
• Material science (how materials change in space).
• Basic physics in microgravity.

Education and Outreach

The space station also helps teach and inspire young people. Astronauts give "space lectures" from orbit. They do science experiments that are shown to students in China and around the world. These lessons help get kids excited about science and technology.

The first space lessons from Tiangong happened in December 2021 and March 2022. This tradition has continued with later missions.

Amateur radio equipment on the station allows radio enthusiasts worldwide to talk to astronauts. This project aims to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

How Tiangong is Built

T-shaped early concept of the Chinese large modular space station

Tiangong is a "third-generation" modular space station. This means it's built in space from different parts launched separately. This design makes it more reliable and can save money. It also allows the station to be changed or expanded later.

Station Modules

Rear view of Tiangong Space Station, taken by Tianzhou cargo spacecraft before docking.

A model of the Tiangong displayed in Hong Kong in 2022

The Tiangong station currently has three main modules. Future plans might add more modules to make the station even bigger.

• The Tianhe Core Cabin Module (CCM) is the main living area for three astronauts. It controls the station's direction and provides power, propulsion, and life support. It has a kitchen, toilet, computers, and communication equipment.
• The Wentian Laboratory Cabin Module (LCM) is the first experiment module. It has backup systems for the Tianhe module. It also has a special airlock for astronauts to go outside on extravehicular activities (EVAs), or spacewalks. Inside, there are racks for science experiments. It also has three extra sleeping areas for short stays, useful when new crews arrive.
• The Mengtian Laboratory Cabin Module (LCM) is the second experiment module. It has even more space for experiments. It includes a special cargo airlock. This airlock helps move experiments from inside the station to the outside. It can also launch small satellites.

Both laboratory modules provide a sealed environment for scientists to do experiments in microgravity (weightlessness). Experiments can also be placed outside the modules to study the effects of space, like cosmic rays and solar winds. Wentian focuses on life science, while Mengtian focuses on other microgravity experiments.

The modules are moved into place by robotic arms. The Wentian and Mengtian modules use a special "indexing robotic arm" to connect to the main Tianhe module.

Module	Launch time (UTC)	Launch vehicle (Flight No.)	Docking date (UTC) / position	Length	Diameter	Mass	Illustration	Ground image
Tianhe	29 April 2021 03:23:15	Long March 5B (Y2)	N/A	16.6 m (54 ft)	4.2 m (14 ft)	22,500 kg (49,600 lb)
	Core module with three sections: living quarters, the service section, and a docking hub.
Wentian	24 July 2022 06:22:32	Long March 5B (Y3)	24 July 2022 19:13 (front) 30 September 2022 04:44 (front → starboard)	17.9 m (59 ft)	4.2 m (14 ft)	23,200 kg (51,100 lb)
	First lab module, also serves as backup to core module's station control and management functions. Equipped with an EVA airlock and a 5-metre-long (16 ft) robotic arm.
Mengtian	31 October 2022 07:37:23	Long March 5B (Y4)	31 October 2022 20:27 (front) 3 November 2022 01:32 (front → port)	17.9 m (59 ft)	4.2 m (14 ft)	~23,000 kg (51,000 lb)
	Second lab module with cargo airlock and payload transportation system.

Station Systems

Deployment of flexible solar arrays on Tianhe core module

15 m combined robotic arm on Tiangong

Indexing Robot Arm on Wentian

Communication

Astronauts on Tiangong can talk to Earth in real-time. They use a network of satellites called Tianlian II. These satellites help send live video and audio between the station and ground control in Beijing.

Docking

The Tiangong uses a special docking system to connect spacecraft. This system is similar to one used on the International Space Station. It allows different spacecraft, like the Shenzhou crew capsules and Tianzhou cargo ships, to link up with the station.

Power and Propulsion

The station gets its power from large solar power arrays. These panels turn sunlight into electricity. This energy is stored to power the station when it's in Earth's shadow. The station also has engines to keep it in the correct orbit. These engines use both traditional fuel and special ion thrusters. These ion thrusters are very efficient and can last a long time.

Robotic Arms

The Tiangong station has several robotic arms.

• The longest is the 10-meter (33-foot) Chinarm on the Tianhe core module. It's used for moving things and helping with spacewalks.
• The Wentian module has a smaller, 5-meter (16-foot) arm. It's very precise and helps move experiments outside the station.
• The Chinarm and Wentian arm can connect to work together. This makes them even stronger and able to reach further.
• The Mengtian module has a system to release payloads. It helps move items from inside to outside the station. It can also launch small satellites.
• Two "Indexing robotic arms" help move the laboratory modules into their final positions on the station.

Co-orbit Modules

One exciting future addition is the Xuntian space telescope.

Building the Station

A Long March 5B launching the Tianhe core module in April 2021

Flexible solar array on Tianhe core module after deployment.

A Long March 5B launching the Wentian lab cabin module in July 2022

The module relocation process with rotation arm equipped by the Wentian lab cabin module

The construction of the Tiangong Space Station officially started in April 2021. The plan involved 11 missions: three module launches, four crewed missions, and four cargo flights.

• On April 29, 2021, the Tianhe core module was launched.
• On May 29, 2021, the Tianzhou 2 cargo ship arrived. It brought supplies for the first crew.
• On June 17, 2021, the Shenzhou 12 crew became the first astronauts to visit Tiangong. They tested the station's systems.
• On July 4, 2021, astronauts Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo did the first spacewalk. They set up equipment outside the station.
• On September 20, 2021, Tianzhou 3 arrived with more supplies.
• On October 15, 2021, the Shenzhou 13 crew arrived. They stayed for six months, a new record for China.
• On November 7, 2021, Wang Yaping became China's first female spacewalker. She and Zhai Zhigang tested new spacesuits and the robotic arm.
• On January 5, 2022, the crew practiced moving the Tianzhou 2 cargo ship with the robotic arm. This helped them prepare for moving future modules.
• On April 16, 2022, the Shenzhou 13 crew returned to Earth.
• On May 9, 2022, Tianzhou 4 arrived with more supplies, including a refrigerator for experiments.

Astronaut Zhai Zhigang of Shenzhou 13 crew performing spacewalk on Tiangong Space Station on 7 November 2021.

Astronaut Fei Junlong of Shenzhou 15 crew performing spacewalk on Tiangong Space Station on 9 February 2023.

A Long March 5B launching the Mengtian lab cabin module in October 2022

The final building phase began with the Shenzhou 14 mission.

• On June 5, 2022, the Shenzhou 14 crew arrived. They prepared for the arrival of the two lab modules.
• On July 24, 2022, the Wentian lab module was launched and docked with Tianhe. It added an airlock for spacewalks and backup systems.
• On September 2, 2022, Chen Dong and Liu Yang did the first spacewalk from the new Wentian airlock.
• On September 30, 2022, the Wentian module was moved to its permanent side position using a robotic arm.
• On October 31, 2022, the Mengtian module was launched and docked. This completed the main construction of the station.
• On November 3, 2022, Mengtian was moved to its permanent side position. The station now has a "T" shape.
• On November 12, 2022, Tianzhou 5 arrived with supplies and gifts for the first crew handover in space.
• On November 29, 2022, the Shenzhou 15 crew arrived. For five days, six astronauts lived on Tiangong at the same time. This was the first time China had a crew handover in space.

Future Expansion

Possible future expansion of Tiangong space station

China plans to expand the Tiangong station even more. It might grow from three to six modules. This would allow more astronauts to live and work there. The Xuntian space telescope module is planned to launch in 2026.

International Cooperation

China built its own space station partly because the U.S. Congress limited NASA's cooperation with China on the International Space Station (ISS). However, China has worked with other countries like France, Sweden, and Russia on space projects.

The European Space Agency (ESA) even trained astronauts with China in 2017. The goal was to send ESA astronauts to Tiangong. However, in 2023, ESA decided not to send its astronauts to the station for now.

Still, Tiangong is open to international experiments. In 2019, the CMSA and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) chose nine experiments from around the world. These include projects from Switzerland, Poland, Germany, and Canada. One Canadian experiment is researching if weightlessness can help stop cancer growth.

China has said it welcomes foreign astronauts to visit Tiangong in the future. In October 2022, China even opened its astronaut selection process to people from Hong Kong and Macau.

Life Aboard Tiangong

Daily Life

Astronaut Nie Haisheng doing running exercise on Tiangong Space Station

Interior of Wentian lab module at Tiangong Space Station

Astronauts on Tiangong follow Beijing time. They usually wake up around 7:00 AM and have a meeting with Mission Control. They work until 9:00 PM, with breaks for meals and a nap. The station has special lighting that changes to match day and night on Earth. This helps astronauts keep a normal sleep schedule.

The station has smart features. Astronauts use tablet computers to find and organize items. Everything has a QR code! The station also has Wi-Fi, so there are no messy wires.

Food and Hygiene

Astronauts on Tiangong have a wide variety of food, with 120 different dishes. These include popular Chinese meals like shredded pork in garlic sauce and kung pao chicken. They also have fresh fruits and vegetables. The food is prepared to be easy to eat in space. The station has a small kitchen, a refrigerator, a water dispenser, and even the first microwave oven in space! This means astronauts can always have hot food.

The Tianhe module has living quarters for the crew. It has three separate sleeping areas, a space toilet, a shower, and exercise equipment. Each sleeping area has a window, headphones, and good air circulation. There are also three extra sleeping areas in the Wentian module. Astronauts use special equipment to keep their muscles strong in microgravity. The station is designed to be quiet, especially in the sleeping areas.

How Tiangong Works

Since June 5, 2022, Tiangong has always had astronauts living on board. Usually, there are three crew members, but it can hold up to six. The station is controlled from the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center. For safety, a Long March 2F/G rocket with a Shenzhou spacecraft is always ready for an emergency rescue mission.

Crewed Missions

First gathering of two Chinese astronaut crews (Shenzhou 14 and 15) on Tiangong on November 30, 2022.

The first crewed mission, Shenzhou 12, lasted 90 days. Since Shenzhou 13, missions usually last about 180 days (six months).

China is also developing a new spacecraft called Mengzhou. It will replace the Shenzhou spacecraft. Mengzhou will carry astronauts to Tiangong and could even take them to the Moon. It can carry more astronauts (up to seven) and bring cargo back to Earth.

Cargo Resupply

Cargo packages loaded on Tianzhou spacecraft.

The Tianzhou (Heavenly Vessel) spacecraft is used to bring supplies to the station. It's a robotic cargo ship that can carry about 6,000 kg (13,200 pounds) of supplies. It launches, travels, and docks with the station all by itself.

List of Missions

• All dates are UTC.
• Forward ports are at the front of the station. Aft is at the rear. Nadir is closest to Earth, zenith is on top. Port is to the left, starboard to the right.

Key

     Uncrewed cargo spacecraft are in light blue colour      Crewed spacecraft are in light green colour      Modules are in beige colour

Launch date (UTC)	Docking date (UTC)	Undocking date (UTC)	Result	Spacecraft/Module	Launch vehicle	Launch site	Launch provider	Docking/berthing port	Duration
29 April 2021, 03:23:15	N/A	N/A	Success	Tianhe	Long March 5B	Wenchang LC-1	CASC	N/A
29 May 2021, 12:55:29	29 May 2021, 21:01	27 March 2022, 07:59		Tianzhou 2	Long March 7	Wenchang LC-2	CASC	Tianhe port	301 days, 10 hours and 58 minutes
17 June 2021, 01:22:27	17 June 2021, 07:54	16 September 2021, 00:56		Shenzhou 12	Long March 2F/G	Jiuquan SLS-1	CASC	Tianhe forward	90 days, 14 hours and 8 minutes
20 September 2021, 07:10:11	20 September 2021, 14:08	17 July 2022, 02:59		Tianzhou 3	Long March 7	Wenchang LC-2	CASC	Tianhe forward	299 days, 12 hours and 51 minutes
15 October 2021, 16:23:56	15 October 2021, 22:56	15 April 2022, 16:44		Shenzhou 13	Long March 2F/G	Jiuquan SLS-1	CASC	Tianhe nadir	181 days, 14 hours and 46 minutes
9 May 2022, 17:56:37	10 May 2022, 00:54	9 November 2022, 06:55		Tianzhou 4	Long March 7	Wenchang LC-2	CASC	Tianhe aft	183 days, 6 hours and 1 minute
5 June 2022, 02:44:10	5 June 2022, 09:42	4 December 2022, 03:01		Shenzhou 14	Long March 2F/G	Jiuquan SLS-1	CASC	Tianhe nadir	181 days, 14 hours and 11 minutes
24 July 2022, 06:22:32	24 July 2022, 19:13	N/A		Wentian	Long March 5B	Wenchang LC-1	CASC	Tianhe starboard
31 October 2022, 07:37:23.191	31 October 2022, 20:27	N/A		Mengtian	Long March 5B	Wenchang LC-1	CASC	Tianhe port
12 November 2022, 02:03:12:374	12 November 2022, 04:10	11 September 2023 08:46		Tianzhou 5	Long March 7	Wenchang LC-2	CASC	Tianhe forward	303 days, 4 hours and 36 minutes
29 November 2022, 15:08:17	29 November 2022, 21:42	3 June 2023, 13:29		Shenzhou 15	Long March 2F/G	Jiuquan SLS-1	CASC	Tianhe forward	185 days, 13 hours and 56 minutes
10 May 2023, 13:22:51:405	10 May 2023, 21:16	12 January 2024, 08:02		Tianzhou 6	Long March 7	Wenchang LC-2	CASC	Tianhe aft	246 days, 10 hours and 46 minutes
30 May 2023, 01:31:13	30 May 2023, 08:29	30 October 2023, 12:37		Shenzhou 16	Long March 2F/G	Jiuquan LA-4	CASC	Tianhe nadir	153 days, 2 hours and 15 minutes
26 October 2023, 03:14:02	26 October 2023, 09:46	30 April 2024, 00:43		Shenzhou 17	Long March 2F/G	Jiuquan LA-4	CASC	Tianhe forward	186 days, 13 hours and 9 minutes
17 January 2024, 14:27:30:728	17 January 2024, 17:46	TBD		Tianzhou 7	Long March 7	Wenchang LC-2	CASC	Tianhe aft
25 April 2024, 12:59:00.479	25 April 2024, 19:32	TBD		Shenzhou 18	Long March 2F/G	Jiuquan SLS-1	CASC	Tianhe nadir
25 October 2024	25 October 2024	TBD	Planned	Shenzhou 19	Long March 2F/G	Jiuquan SLS-1	CASC	Tianhe forward
November 2024	November 2024	TBD		Tianzhou 8	Long March 7	Wenchang LC-2	CASC	Tianhe aft
2026	N/A	N/A		Xuntian	Long March 5B	Wenchang LC-1	CASC	N/A

End of Mission

Tiangong is designed to work for at least 10 years, possibly up to 15 years. When its mission ends, the station will be guided to fall safely back to Earth. It will burn up in the atmosphere, and any small pieces that remain will land in uninhabited areas of the ocean.

How to See Tiangong from Earth

Photograph of the Chinese Space Station is captured in Brazil.

Just like the International Space Station, you can sometimes see the Tiangong space station from Earth with your own eyes! It looks like a very bright star moving across the sky. This is because sunlight reflects off its shiny modules and solar panels.

See also

In Spanish: Estación espacial Tiangong para niños