Tianzhou 3

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Tianzhou 3
Tianzhou 1 model
A 1:144 scale Tianzhou 1 model
Mission typeTiangong space station resupply
OperatorCNSA
COSPAR ID2021-085A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.49222
Websitehttp://www.cnsa.gov.cn/
Mission duration309 days, 20 hours and 21 minutes
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftTianzhou-3
Spacecraft typeTianzhou
ManufacturerChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Launch mass.
Dry mass6,640 kg (14,640 lb)
Dimensions10.6 m × 3.35 m (34.8 ft × 11.0 ft)
Powerwatts
Expedition
Space stationTiangong space station
Start of mission
Launch date20 September 2021, 07:10:11 UTC
RocketLong March 7
Launch siteWenchang Satellite Launch Center, LC-201
ContractorChina Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
End of mission
Decay date27 July 2022, 03:31 UTC
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination41.5°
Docking with Tiangong space station
Docking portTianhe Aft port
Docking date20 September 2021, 14:08 UTC[1]
Undocking date19 April 2022, 21:02 UTC
Time docked211 days, 6 hours and 54 minutes
Docking with Tiangong space station
(Relocation)
Docking portTianhe Forward port
Docking date20 April 2022, 01:06 UTC
Undocking date17 July 2022, 02:59 UTC[2]
Time docked88 days, 1 hour and 53 minutes

Tianzhou 3 (Chinese: 天舟三号) was a mission of the Tianzhou-class uncrewed cargo spacecraft, launched on 20 September 2021, at 07:10:11 UTC.[1] Like previous Tianzhou missions, the spacecraft was launched from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan, China on a Long March 7 launch vehicle.

Tianzhou 3 was the second cargo resupply mission to the Tianhe core module (TCM) of the under-construction Tiangong space station, carrying over six tons of supplies. The spacecraft successfully docked at the TCM's aft port seven hours after launch at 14:08 UTC.

On 20 April 2022, Tianzhou 3 successfully relocated itself from Tianhe's aft port to the forward port to make the aft port available for docking by Tianzhou 4.[3] On 17 July it was undocked for deorbiting, making way for the installation of the Wentian module.[2] It reentered the Earth's atmosphere and burned up as planned on 27 July 2022.[4]

Spacecraft

Main article: Tianzhou (spacecraft)

The Tianzhou cargo ship has several notable differences with the Tiangong stations from which it is derived. It has only three segments of solar panels (against 4 for Tiangong), but has 4 maneuvering engines (against 2).[5]

References

  1. ^ a b Jones, Andrew (20 September 2021). "Tianzhou-3 spacecraft docks with Chinese space station". SpaceNews. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b Jones, Andrew (19 July 2022). "Tianzhou 3 cargo ship undocks from China's Tiangong space station". Space.com. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Tianzhou-3 docks with Tianhe's front docking port". Xinhua. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  4. ^ "China's Tianzhou-3 cargo craft re-enters atmosphere under control". Xinhua. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Tianzhou 3". Next Spaceflight. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
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