27.09.2018

China will carry out large-scale scientific experiments on space application projects after the completion of China's space station, according to a news briefing on China's space projects Wednesday.

China's manned space station is planned to be completed around 2022 and will be in orbit for more than 10 years.

"After the completion of the space station, space experiments and applications will become the main focus of the project," said Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, at the briefing.

Lyu Congmin, deputy chief designer of the space station's application system, said the space station will be a platform for more frontier space science experiments and applications.

"We have planned more than 13 laboratories and experimental platforms in the space station. A large optical telescope will be sent into the same orbit to fly with the station," Lyu said. "We will conduct more than 30 research projects in eight areas, including space astronomy, space life science and biotechnology, microgravity fundamental physics and space materials."

"The space station can support space applications in and out of the cabin, and the payload can be adjusted in orbit," said Lin. "I believe the large-scale experiments will bring more important achievements with international influence and application value."

Quelle: Xinhua

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China's Tiangong-2 to de-orbit after July 2019

China's Tiangong-2 space lab is functioning normally and will de-orbit safely after July 2019, according to a briefing on China's space projects Wednesday.

"Tiangong-2 is currently operating in a near-circular orbit with an average height of about 400 kilometers. The temperature and pressure of the experimental cabin all meet the working requirements," said Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, at the briefing.

"It will conduct compressor life tests and space science application tests in the future," Lin added.

Zhu Congpeng, chief designer of the space lab, said that Tiangong-2 was designed with several safety control modes to deal with emergencies and ensure it can safely leave orbit.

"We have also made more than 300 fault countermeasures to ensure its safe operation, " Zhu said.

Launched on Sept. 15, 2016, Tiangong-2 has been in orbit for more than two years.

Quelle: Xinhua