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Shenzhou (spacecraft)

{{short description|Class of crewed spacecraft from China}}

{{Use British English|date=May 2020}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}

{{Infobox spacecraft class

| name = Shenzhou

| image = Shenzhou spacecraft ground test.png

| caption = A Shenzhou spacecraft undergoing ground testing without solar panels

| manufacturer = China Academy of Space Technology

| country = {{CHN}}

| applications = Crewed spaceflight

| crew_capacity = 3

| orbits = Low Earth

| operator = China Manned Space Agency

| lifetime = Up to 183 days (docked at the Tiangong space station)

| status = In service

| built = 19

| orders = 0

| launched = 19

| operational = 1

| retired =

| failed =

| first = {{Ubli

| Uncrewed: 19 November 1999 (Shenzhou 1)

| Crewed: 15 October 2003 (Shenzhou 5)

}}

| last =

| lastretired =

| autoconvert = off

| mass = {{cvt|7840|kg}}{{Cite journal |author=朱光辰 |url= http://www.htgc.cbpt.cnki.net/WKE/WebPublication/paperDigest.aspx?paperID=645e2201-f29d-4e4a-93d5-e988773274f0# |title= 我国载人航天器总体构型技术发展 |journal= 航天器工程 |year=2022 |volume=第31卷 |issue=第6期 |pages=47 }}

| volume = Habitable: {{cvt|14|m3}}http://www.braeunig.us/space/specs/shenzhou.htm

| power =

| batteries =

| equipment =

| dimensions = {{cvt|9.25|x|2.8|m}}

| crew-capacity = 3

}}

Shenzhou ({{zh|s=神舟|p=Shénzhōu}}, {{IPAc-en|'|ʃ|ɛ|n|'|dʒ|oʊ}};{{cite web|title=Shenzhou pronunciation|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/shenzhou|website=Dictionary.com|access-date=25 April 2015}} see {{slink||Etymology}}) is a Chinese spacecraft developed for the nation's crewed space program. Its design was based on Russia's Soyuz, but larger and modernized. Like Soyuz, Shenzhou is a single-use vehicle composed of three modules; a descent module which houses the crew during launch and reentry, an orbital module which provides additional living space and storage during orbit, but is jettisoned before reentry, and a service module responsible for propulsion and power, also discarded before reentry. For added safety and aerodynamics, the spacecraft is encased within a fairing and fitted with a launch escape system during liftoff.

Its maiden uncrewed flight, Shenzhou 1, was on 19 November 1999, with the first crewed mission, Shenzhou 5, taking flight on 15 October 2003. It is slated for replacement by the next-generation Mengzhou, currently in development, with a two module configuration.

Etymology

The literal meaning of the native name {{lang|zh|神舟}} (p: Shénzhōu; {{IPAc-en|'|ʃ|ɛ|n|'|dʒ|oʊ}}) is "the Divine vessel [on the Heavenly River]", to which Heavenly River ({{lang|zh|天河}}) means the Milky Way in Classical Chinese. {{lang|zh|神舟}} is a pun and neologism that plays on the poetic word referring to China, {{lang|zh|神州}},{{cite news|title=中国载人航天飞船为何命名"神舟"号？|newspaper=Xinhua News|date=23 September 2008|last=樊永强|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/23/content_10099263.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927221409/http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/23/content_10099263.htm|archive-date=27 September 2008}} meaning Divine realm,{{cite book|title=Worldly Saviors and Imperial Authority in Medieval Chinese Buddhism|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|date=2021|page=103|last= Hughes|first=April D.|isbn=|quote=Attesting Illumination states that two saviors will manifest in the Divine Realm (shenzhou 神州; i.e. China) 799 years after Śākyamuni Buddha's nirvāṇa.}} which bears the same pronunciation. For further information, refer to Chinese theology, Chinese astronomy and names of China.

History

{{Main|Shenzhou program}}

China's first efforts at human spaceflight started in 1968 with a projected launch date of 1973.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/craft/shuuang1.htm|title=Shuguang 1|access-date=4 March 2009 |publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|year=2009|author=Mark Wade|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714161906/http://www.astronautix.com/craft/shuuang1.htm|archive-date=14 July 2007}} Although China successfully launched an uncrewed satellite in 1970, its crewed spacecraft program was cancelled in 1980 due to a lack of funds.

The Chinese crewed spacecraft program was relaunched in 1992 with Project 921. The Phase One spacecraft followed the general layout of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, with three modules that could separate for reentry. China signed a deal with Russia in 1995 for the transfer of Soyuz technology, including life support and docking systems. The Phase One spacecraft was then modified with the new Russian technology.{{cite web|url=http://www.futron.com/upload/wysiwyg/Resources/Whitepapers/China_n_%20Second_Space_Age_1003.pdf|title=China and the Second Space Age|access-date=6 October 2011|publisher=Futron Corporation|date=October 15, 2003 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419165427/http://www.futron.com/upload/wysiwyg/Resources/Whitepapers/China_n_%20Second_Space_Age_1003.pdf |archive-date=19 April 2012}} The general designer of Shenzhou-1 through Shenzhou-5 was Qi Faren (({{lang-zh|c=戚发轫}}), 26 April 1933), and from Shenzhou-6 on, the general design was turned over to Zhang Bainan (({{lang-zh|c=张柏楠}}), 23 June 1962).{{Citation needed|date=November 2018}}

The first uncrewed flight of the spacecraft was launched on 19 November 1999, after which Project 921/1 was renamed Shenzhou, a name reportedly chosen by Jiang Zemin.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} A series of three additional uncrewed flights were carried out. The first crewed launch took place on 15 October 2003 with the Shenzhou 5 mission. The spacecraft has since become the mainstay of the Chinese crewed space program, being used for both crewed and uncrewed missions.

Design

File:Shenzhou spacecraft vector diagram.svgFile:Spaceships.svgShenzhou consists of three modules: a forward orbital module ({{lang-zh|c=轨道舱)|p=Guǐdào cāng

}}), a reentry module ({{lang-zh|c=返回舱)|p=Fǎnhuí cāng

}}) in the middle, and an aft service module ({{lang-zh|c=推进舱)|p=Tuījìn cāng

}}). This division is based on the principle of minimizing the amount of material to be returned to Earth. Anything placed in the orbital or service modules does not require heat shielding, increasing the space available in the spacecraft without increasing weight as much as it would if those modules were also able to withstand reentry.

class="wikitable"

|+Complete spacecraft

!Mass

|{{cvt|7840|kg}}

Length

|{{cvt|9.25|m|ftin}}

Diameter

|{{cvt|2.8|m|ftin}}

Span

|{{cvt|17|m|ftin}}

:

= Orbital module =

File:Shenzhou5-2.JPGThe orbital module ({{lang-zh|c=轨道舱)|p=Guǐdào cāng

}}) contains space for experiments, crew-serviced or crew-operated equipment, and in-orbit habitation. Without docking systems, Shenzhou 1–6 carried different kinds of payload on the top of their orbital modules for scientific experiments.

The Chinese spacecraft docking mechanism (beginning with Shenzhou 8) is based on the Androgynous Peripheral Attach System (APAS).{{cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20110010964.pdf |website=NTRS |title=ISS Interface Mechanisms and their Heritage|author1=John Cook|author2=Valery Aksamentov|author3=Thomas Hoffman|author4=Wes Bruner|date=1 January 2011|publisher=Boeing|access-date=31 March 2015|location=Houston, Texas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429130021/https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20110010964.pdf |archive-date= Apr 29, 2015 }}

Up until Shenzhou 8, the orbital module of the Shenzhou was equipped with its own propulsion, solar power, and control systems, allowing autonomous flight. It is possible for Shenzhou to leave an orbital module in orbit for redocking with a later spacecraft, a capability which Soyuz does not possess, since the only hatch between the orbital and reentry modules is a part of the reentry module, and orbital module is depressurized after separation. For future missions, the orbital module(s) could also be left behind on the planned Chinese project 921/2 space station as additional station modules.

In the uncrewed test flights launched, the orbital module of each Shenzhou was left functioning on orbit for several days after the reentry modules return, and the Shenzhou 5 orbital module continued to operate for six months after launch.

class="wikitable"

|+Orbital Module

!Design life

|200 days

Length

|{{cvt|2.8|m|ftin}}

Diameter

|{{cvt|2.25|m|ftin}}

Span

|{{cvt|10.4|m|ftin}}

Habitable volume

|{{cvt|8|m3}}

Mass

|{{cvt|1500|kg}}

RCS (coarse)

|16 × {{cvt|5|N}}

RCS propellant

|Hydrazine

Electrical system

|Solar panels, {{cvt|12.24|m2}}

Power

|0.50 kW (avg.)

= Reentry module =

File:Shenzhou spacecraft assembly.jpg

The reentry module ({{lang-zh|c=返回舱)|p=Fǎnhuí cāng

}}) is located in the middle section of the spacecraft and contains seating for the crew. It is the only portion of Shenzhou which returns to Earth's surface. Its shape is a compromise between maximizing living space and allowing for some aerodynamic control upon reentry.

class="wikitable"

|+Reentry Module

!Crew capacity

|3

Design life

|20 days (original)

Length

|{{cvt|2.5|m|ftin}}

Diameter

|{{cvt|2.52|m|ftin}}

Habitable volume

|{{cvt|6|m3}}

Mass

|{{cvt|3240|kg}}

Heat shield mass

|{{cvt|450|kg}}

Lift-to-drag-ratio

|0.30 (hypersonic)

RCS (coarse)

|8 × {{cvt|150|N}}

RCS propellant

|Hydrazine

http://www.braeunig.us/space/specs/shenzhou.htm

= Service module =

File:Launch of Shenzhou 13.jpg rocket]]

The aft service module ({{lang-zh|c=推进舱)|p=Tuījìn cāng}}) contains life support and other equipment required for the functioning of Shenzhou. Two pairs of solar panels, one pair on the service module and the other pair on the orbital module, have a total area of over {{convert|40|m2|sqft}}, indicating average electrical power over 1.5 kW (Soyuz have 1.0 kW).

class="wikitable"

|+Service Module

!Design life

|20 days (original)

Length

|{{cvt|2.94|m|ftin}}

Basic diameter

|{{cvt|2.5|m|ftin}}

Maximum diameter

|{{cvt|2.8|m|ftin}}

Span

|{{cvt|17|m|ftin}}

Mass

|{{cvt|3000|kg}}

RCS (coarse)

|8 × {{cvt|150|N}}

RCS (coarse)

|16 × {{cvt|5|N}}

Main engine thrust

|{{cvt|10|kN}}

Main engine
specific impulse

|{{cvt|290|isp}}

Propellant

|{{chem2|N2O4|link=Dinitrogen tetroxide}}/MMH

Propellant mass

|{{cvt|1000|kg}}

Electrical system

|Solar panels, {{cvt|36.72|m2}}

Power

|1.50 kW (avg.)

:

= Comparison with Soyuz =

Although the Shenzhou spacecraft follows the same layout as the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, it is approximately 10% larger and heavier than Soyuz. It also has a bigger cylindrical orbital module and four propulsion engines. There is enough room to carry an inflatable raft in case of a splashdown, whereas Soyuz cosmonauts must jump into the water and swim. The commander sits in the center seat on both spacecraft. However, the pilot sits in the left seat on Shenzhou and the right seat on Soyuz.{{cite news|last1=Hollingham|first1=Richard|title=Why Europe's astronauts are learning Chinese|url=http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180626-why-europes-astronauts-are-learning-chinese|work=BBC Future|date=27 June 2018|language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003070304/https://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180626-why-europes-astronauts-are-learning-chinese |archive-date= Oct 3, 2019 }}

Launch records

The records information is all from Gunter's space page.{{Cite web |title=Shenzhou Flight History |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/shenzhou_hist.htm |access-date=30 June 2022 |website= Gunter's Space Page }} All times are in Coordinated Universal Time.

{{sticky header}}

class="wikitable sticky-header"

|+

!Number

!Launch

!Landing

!Crew

!Flight duration

!Orbits

!Launch vehicle

!Launch location

!Outcome

Shenzhou 1

|19 November 1999, 22:30

|20 November 1999, 19:41

|{{N/A}}

|21 hours, 11 minutes

|14

|Long March 2F

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 2

|9 January 2001, 17:00

|16 January 2001, 11:22

|{{N/A}}

|6 days, 18 hours, 22 minutes

|108

|Long March 2F

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Partial failure}}{{efn|Unlike other Shenzhou missions, China has never publicly released images of the Shenzhou 2 return module. In 2017, Yang Liwei, the first Chinese astronaut and subsequent head of China's space agency, disclosed that the spacecraft experienced a parachute failure during reentry, resulting in a hard landing. Some of the cargo was damaged by fire, and the fate of the animals on board remains unknown.}}

Shenzhou 3

|25 March 2002, 14:15

|1 April 2002, 08:51

|{{N/A}}

|6 days, 18 hours, 51 minutes

|108

|Long March 2F

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 4

|29 December 2002, 16:40

|5 January 2003, 11:16

|{{N/A}}

|6 days, 18 hours, 36 minutes

|108

|Long March 2F

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 5

|15 October 2003, 01:00

|15 October 2003, 22:22

|Yang Liwei

|21 hours, 22 minutes,

|14

|Long March 2F

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 6

|12 October 2005, 01:00

|16 October 2005, 20:33

|{{Unbulleted list|Fei Junlong|Nie Haisheng}}

|4 days, 19 hours, 33 minutes

|77

|Long March 2F

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 7

|25 September 2008, 13:10

|28 September 2008, 09:37

|{{Unbulleted list|Zhai Zhigang|Liu Boming|Jing Haipeng}}

|2 days, 20 hours, 27 minutes

|45

|Long March 2F

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 8

|31 October 2011, 21:58

|17 November 2011, 11:32

|{{N/A}}

|17 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes

|249

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 9

|16 June 2012, 10:37

|29 June 2012, 02:01

|{{Unbulleted list|Jing Haipeng|Liu Wang|Liu Yang}}

|12 days, 15 hours, 24 minutes

|198

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 10

|11 June 2013, 09:38

|26 June 2013, 00:07

|{{Unbulleted list|Nie Haisheng|Zhang Xiaoguang|Wang Yaping}}

|14 days, 14 hours, 29 minutes

|229

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 11

|16 October 2016, 23:30

|18 November 2016, 05:59

|{{Unbulleted list|Jing Haipeng|Chen Dong}}

|32 days, 6 hours, 29 minutes

|507

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 12

|17 June 2021, 01:22

|17 September 2021, 05:34

|{{Unbulleted list|Nie Haisheng|Liu Boming|Tang Hongbo}}

|92 days, 4 hours, 11 minutes

|1,454

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 13

|15 October 2021, 16:23

|16 April 2022, 01:56

|{{Unbulleted list|Zhai Zhigang|Wang Yaping|Ye Guangfu}}

|182 days, 9 hours, 32 minutes

|2,885

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 14

|5 June 2022, 02:44

|4 December 2022, 12:09

|{{Unbulleted list|Chen Dong|Liu Yang|Cai Xuzhe}}

|182 days, 9 hours, 25 minutes

|2,885

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 15

|29 November 2022, 15:08

|3 June 2023, 22:33

|{{Unbulleted list|Fei Junlong|Deng Qingming|Zhang Lu}}

|186 days, 7 hours, 25 minutes

|2,931

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 16

|30 May 2023, 09:31

|31 October 2023, 00:12

|{{Unbulleted list|Jing Haipeng|Zhu Yangzhu|Gui Haichao}}

|153 days, 22 hours and 41 minutes

|2,429

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 17

|26 October 2023, 03:14

|30 April 2024, 09:46

|{{Unbulleted list|Tang Hongbo|Tang Shengjie|Jiang Xinlin}}

|187 days, 6 hours and 32 minutes

|2,943

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 18

|25 April 2024, 12:59

|3 November 2024, 17:24

|{{Unbulleted list|Ye Guangfu|Li Cong|Li Guangsu}}

|192 days, 4 hours and 25 minutes

|3041

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Success}}

Shenzhou 19

|29 October 2024, 20:27

|29 April 2025

|{{Unbulleted list|Cai Xuzhe|Song Lingdong|Wang Haoze}}

|180 days (planned)

|Currently in orbit

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Operational|Docked at Tiangong}}

Shenzhou 20

|24 April 2025, 9:17

|November 2025

|{{Unbulleted list|Chen Dong|Chen Zhongrui|Wang Jie}}

|180 days (planned)

|Currently in orbit

|Long March 2F/G

|Jiuquan, LA-4

|{{Operational|Docked at Tiangong}}

In popular culture

  • The Shenzhou was prominently featured in the film Gravity and was used by the main character, STS-157 Mission Specialist Dr. Ryan Stone, to safely return home after the destruction of her spacecraft.{{cite web|last1=Kramer|first1=Miriam|title=The Spaceships of 'Gravity': A Spacecraft Movie Guide for Astronauts|url=https://news.yahoo.com/spaceships-gravity-spacecraft-movie-guide-astronauts-133510136.html|agency=SPACE.com |publisher=Yahoo|date=6 October 2013|access-date=23 April 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305092540/https://news.yahoo.com/spaceships-gravity-spacecraft-movie-guide-astronauts-133510136.html |archive-date= Mar 5, 2016 }}{{cite web|last1=Lyons|first1=Lauren|title="Gravity", China and the end of American Exceptionalism in outer space|url=http://spaceflightinsider.com/space-flight-news/astronauts/gravity-china-and-the-end-of-american-excepionalism-in-outer-space/ |publisher=Spaceflight Insider|date=19 October 2013|access-date=23 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131023212829/http://spaceflightinsider.com/space-flight-news/astronauts/gravity-china-and-the-end-of-american-excepionalism-in-outer-space/ |archive-date= Oct 23, 2013 }}
  • In Star Trek: Discovery, the Walker class starship USS Shenzhou is named after this spacecraft.{{cite web|title=Shenzhou NCC-1227, U.S.S.|url=https://intl.startrek.com/database_article/shenzhou-ncc-1227-u-s-s|website=Star Trek|publisher=CBS Entertainment|access-date=25 July 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005211516/https://www.startrek.com/database_article/shenzhou-ncc-1227-u-s-s |archive-date= Oct 5, 2021 }}

See also

{{portal|Spaceflight|China}}

{{colbegin}}

{{colend}}

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

{{commons|Shenzhou}}

  • {{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2829349.stm|title=China's first astronaut revealed|publisher=BBC|date=7 March 2003}}
  • {{cite web|url=http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/week/031006.htm|title=China's Manned Space Program: Trajectory and Motivations|access-date=7 June 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070408034953/http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/week/031006.htm |archive-date=8 April 2007}}
  • {{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/news/china_russia_991122.html|title=Details on purchase of Soyuz descent capsule by China|website=Space.com |access-date=7 June 2007|url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602014951/http://www.space.com/news/china_russia_991122.html|archive-date=2 June 2008}}

External links

  • [https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/shenzhou Flickr: Photos tagged with shenzhou], photos likely relating to Shenzhou spacecraft
  • {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090315230115/http://bbs.chinaa2z.com/viewthread.php?tid=314 Subsystems and Project management of Shenzhou 7]}}

{{Shenzhou program|before=Shenzhou 7|after=Shenzhou 8}}

{{China space station}}

{{Chinese space program}}

{{Crewed spacecraft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shenzhou (Spacecraft)}}

Category:Crewed spacecraft

*

Category:Space program of the People's Republic of China