China National Space Administration (CNSA) logo.
Otc. 31, 2011
Successfully launches Long March 2F carrying Shenzhou-8
The second part of the Chinese space docking trilogy has begin with the successful launch of the unmanned Shenzhou-8 at 21:58 UTC on Monday. The launch took place from 921 / SLS-1 Launch Pad at the Southern Launch Site of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center using the Long March-2F (Y8) launch vehicle.
Long March 2F carrying Shenzhou-8 launch
The mission of Shenzhou-8 is scheduled for a mission of three weeks, during which time it is expected to dock twice with unmanned space module TianGong-1 that was launched on September 29.
This module is part of China’s space station and is an experimental space laboratory that will be mainly used to carry out the rendezvous and docking test, as well as the mastering of the technologies related to rendezvous and docking and accumulate the experience for the construction, management and operation of a space station.
Shenzhou-8 - TianGong-1 docking
Providing everything continues to go according to plan, and after all the systems are verified on both vehicles, the first docking is expected to take place on November 3.
TianGong-1 and Shenzhou-8 will stay docked for 12 days, after that undocking will occur and a second docking manoeuvre will take place. After another period of docking, the unmanned spacecraft will be commanded via autonomous flight to return to Earth.
For more information about China National Space Administration, visit: http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n615709/cindex.html
Images, Video, Text, Credits: ANSA / CNSA / CNTV / Orbiter.ch.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
