Tianzhou 2 Explained

Tianzhou 2
Image Alt:Tianzhou 1 model
Mission Type:Tiangong space station resupply
Operator:CNSA
Cospar Id:2021-046A
Satcat:48803
Website:http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/
Spacecraft:Tianzhou-2
Spacecraft Type:Tianzhou
Manufacturer:China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Space Station:Tiangong space station
Launch Date:29 May 2021, 12:55:29 UTC
Launch Rocket:Long March 7
Launch Site:Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, LC-2
Launch Contractor:China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
Decay Date:31 March 2022, 10:40 UTC
Orbit Reference:Geocentric orbit
Orbit Regime:Low Earth orbit
Orbit Inclination:41.5°
Apsis:gee
Docking:
Docking Type:Dock
Docking Port:Tianhe Aft port
Docking Date:29 May 2021, 21:01 UTC
Undocking Date:18 September 2021, 02:25 UTC
Docking Target:Tiangong space station
(Relocation)
Docking Type:Dock
Docking Port:Tianhe Forward port
Docking Date:18 September 2021, ~06:00 UTC
Undocking Date:5 January 2022, 22:12 UTC
Docking Target:Chinese Space Station
(Test)
Docking Type:Dock
Docking Port:Tianhe Forward port
Docking Date:5 January 2022, 22:59 UTC
Undocking Date:7 January 2022, ~22:00 UTC
Docking Target:Chinese Space Station
(Test)
Docking Type:Dock
Docking Port:Tianhe Forward port
Docking Date:7 January 2022, 23:55 UTC
Undocking Date:27 March 2022, 07:59 UTC
Cargo Mass: [1]
Insignia:Tianzhou 2 mission.png
Insignia Caption:Tianzhou 2 mission logo
Insignia Size:200px
Programme:Tiangong program
Previous Mission:Tianhe core module
Next Mission:Shenzhou 12
Programme2:Tianzhou program
Previous Mission2:Tianzhou 1
Next Mission2:Tianzhou 3

Tianzhou 2 was a mission of the Tianzhou-class unmanned cargo spacecraft. The launch took place at 29 May 2021, 12:55:29 UTC.[2] [3] The spacecraft successfully docked with the Tiangong space station later on the same day.[4]

Mission profile

Tianzhou 2 is a part of the construction of the Tiangong space station, and is the first cargo resupply mission to the already launched Tianhe core module (CCM).[5] The spacecraft remained docked to the aft docking port of Tianhe until the concurrent manned mission Shenzhou 12 deorbited in September, after which it was moved to the forward docking port.[6] It will then conduct propellant transfer testing with Tianhe and serve as a test unit for Tianhe's robotic arm to manipulate modules as part of space station construction.[7] It undocked on 27 March 2022, did a 2-hour fast rendezvous on 30 March 2022 and burned up in the Earth's atmosphere as planned on re-entry on 31 March 2022.[8] [9]

During its time in space, Tianzhou 2 conducted multiple teleoperated and autonomous rendezvous tests.[10]

Spacecraft

See main article: Tianzhou (spacecraft).

The Tianzhou cargo spacecraft has several notable differences with the Tiangong-1 from which it is derived. It has only three segments of solar panels (against 4 for Tiangong), but has 4 maneuvering engines (against 2 for Tiangong).[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cargo ship docks with Chinese space station. Spaceflight Now. 31 May 2021. 1 June 2021.
  2. Web site: Graham. William. China launches Tianzhou 2, first cargo mission to new space station. NASASpaceFlight.com. 19 May 2021. 20 May 2021.
  3. Web site: 长征七号遥三火箭 • 天舟二号货运飞船 •• 快速对接 •发射成功 • LongMarch-7 Y3 • Tianzhou-2. spaceflightfans.cn. 29 May 2021. 30 May 2021. 11 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210611233243/http://www.spaceflightfans.cn/event/cz-7-tianzhou-2. dead.
  4. Web site: Jones. Andrew. Tianzhou-2 docks with China's space station module . SpaceNews. 29 May 2021. 30 May 2021.
  5. Web site: Barbosa. Rui C.. China preparing to build Tiangong station in 2021, complete by 2022. NASASpaceFlight.com. 1 March 2021. 20 May 2021.
  6. Web site: 颜筱箐 . Tianzhou-2 docks with Tianhe's front docking port . China.org.cn . 2021-09-18 . 2022-08-19.
  7. Web site: Astronauts conduct second Chinese space station spacewalk. 20 August 2021.
  8. Web site: Jones . Andrew . Chinese spacecraft reenters atmosphere ahead of new space station missions . . 31 March 2022 . 1 April 2022.
  9. Web site: China's Tianzhou-2 cargo craft leaves space station core module . . 27 March 2022 . 30 March 2022.
  10. SegerYu . 1509495869955272712 . II/期间还进行了 2 次不同模式的远距离导引段快速交会、2 次近距离自主控制交会、1 次绕飞、1 次人控遥操作交会、4 次对接、4 次对接分离、1 次配合机械臂转位试验、对接口推进剂补加等试验。 . 31 March 2022 . 1 April 2022 . zh.
  11. Web site: Baylor. Michael. Tianzhou 2. Next Spaceflight. 20 May 2021. 20 May 2021.