China plans to expand Tiangong space station to six modules as ISS nears retirement
By
Andrew Jones
Summary
China plans to expand its Tiangong space station from three to six modules and add a co-orbiting Hubble-class space telescope, citing growing research demands and more frequent crew and cargo missions. This expansion comes as the International Space Station (ISS) approaches the end of its operational lifetime and is slated for a Pacific Ocean deorbit. The Tiangong station, assembled in orbit across 2021-2022, has hosted multiple Shenzhou crews and represents China's growing ambitions in human spaceflight and orbital research.
Source
bskyChina plans to expand Tiangong space station to six modules as ISS nears retirementshare.googleKey quotes
· 3 pulledChina is set to expand its space station from three to six modules in the coming years and add a co-orbiting Hubble-class space observatory, even as the International Space Station approaches the end of its lifetime.
The three-module, T-shaped Tiangong space station was assembled in orbit across 2021 and 2022 and has hosted numerous three-astronaut Shenzhou crews.
China is now set to expand the orbital outpost with new modules, citing growing research demands and more frequent crew and cargo missions.
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