Wentian module

File:Wentian Module.png

The Wentian laboratory module provides additional navigation avionics, propulsion and orientation control as backup functions for the Tianhe Core Module (TCM). It also provides a pressurized environment for researchers to conduct science experiments in freefall or zero gravity which could not be conducted on Earth for more than a few minutes. Experiments can also be placed on the outside of the modules, for exposure to the space environment, cosmic rays, vacuum, and solar winds.

The axial port of Wentian is fitted with rendezvous equipment and first docked to the axial port of Tianhe. A mechanical arm dubbed, as Indexing robotic arm, looking as a sort of Lyappa arm used on the Mir space station moved the module to a starboard port of the TCM on 30 September 2022.{{cite news |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/china-station-construction-begins/ |title=China readies launch of Tianhe module, start of ambitious two-year station construction effort |first1=William |last1=Graham |first2=Chris |last2=Gebhardt |date=April 28, 2021 |publisher=NASASpaceflight.com |quote=This means the two future science modules, Wentian ("Quest for the heavens") and Mengtian ("Dreaming of the heavens"), cannot dock directly to their planned radial port locations. [...] To account for this, each module will carry a Russian Lyappa robotic arm — like the ones used on Mir for the same purpose — to move the module from the forward port to its respective permanent location on a radial port of Tianhe's docking hub.}} It is different from the Lyappa as it works on a different mechanism. Mir's Lyappa arm is needed to control the pitch of the spacecraft and redocking in a different plane, but the Wentian indexing robot arm is used when docking is needed in the same plane. In addition to this arm used for docking relocation, the Chinarm on Tianhe module, could also had been used as a backup of the indexing robot arm.{{Cite book |last=Hong Yang |title=Manned Spacecraft Technologies |publisher=Springer |year=2020 |isbn=978-9811548970 |location=China |page=355 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/china-station-construction-begins/ |title=China readies launch of Tianhe module, start of ambitious two-year station construction effort |first1=William |last1=Graham |first2=Chris |last2=Gebhardt |date=April 28, 2021 |publisher=NASASpaceflight.com}}

File:Rotation Arm on Wentian.jpg

In addition to this, it also carried a small {{cvt|5|m}} long robotic arm like the Chinarm as a supplemental to that arm. It is used for manipulating extravehicular payloads and assisting EVAs. Its positioning accuracy is 5 times better than the Chinarm. Wentian in total has 22 standard adaptors (silver squares) to host the payloads.{{cite web|title=Wentian details |url=https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1550846854123778049 |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=Twitter |language=en}} Wentian's arm is primarily used to transfer experiments and other hardware outside the station. A dual-arm connector is installed on the Chinarm, providing it the capability to link with the 5-meter robotic arm, extending its reach and weight-carrying limits.{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/china-astronauts-spacewalk-shenzhou-13 |title=China's first Shenzhou 13 spacewalk sees 2 astronauts test suits, robotic arm |website=Space.com |date=11 November 2021 |first= Andrew |last=Jones }}

Electrical power is provided by two steerable solar power arrays, which use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity. With a wingspan of over 55 m (180 ft), each array has an energy collection area of 110 m² (1184 square ft).{{Cite web |last=Andrew Jones published |date=2022-08-13 |title=See the huge solar wings of China's space station in motion above Earth (video) |url=https://www.space.com/china-tiangong-space-station-solar-array-video |access-date=2022-11-12 |website=Space.com |language=en}} The energy is then stored to power the station when it passes into the Earth's shadow. Resupply ships will replenish fuel for LCM 1 for station-keeping, to counter the effects of atmospheric drag.

After launch, the Wentian module was inserted into a low Earth orbit with an average altitude of {{convert|393|km|mi|abbr=on}} at an orbital inclination of 42 degrees, centered in the Earth's thermosphere.{{cite web |last=Barbosa |first=Rui C. |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/03/china-preparing-to-build-tiangong-station-in-2021-complete-by-2022/ |title=China preparing to build Tiangong station in 2021, complete by 2022 |work=NASASpaceFlight |date=1 March 2021 |accessdate=15 March 2021}}{{cite web |last=David |first=Leonard |url=https://www.space.com/11048-china-space-station-plans-details.html |title=China Details Ambitious Space Station Goals |work=Space.com |date=7 March 2011 |access-date=23 February 2012}} It successfully docked with the Tianhe core module nearly thirteen hours after launch.

During the re-entry phase of the Long March rocket's main core stage, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson voiced criticism for allowing the stage to return to the Earth in an uncontrolled re-entry. The stage eventually made re-entry and splashed down over the Pacific Ocean on 30 July 2022, with the bulk of it burning up on re-entry and no known pieces that survived re-entry causing damage.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/31/nasa-criticises-china-after-space-rocket-makes-uncontrolled-return-to-earth | title=NASA criticises China after space rocket makes uncontrolled return to Earth | website=TheGuardian.com | date=31 July 2022 }}

The Shenzhou 14 mission to the space station assisted with setting up the Wentian module in orbit.{{cite web|url=https://dongfanghour.com/the-completion-of-the-css-in-2022/|title = Completion of the Heavenly Palace: Tiangong in 2022 - Dongfang Hour|date = 4 February 2022}}

Wentian has an airlock primarily used for conducting spacewalks. It features more space than the spherical docking hub on Tianhe, which had been used for prior spacewalks. On 1 September 2022 (10:26 UTC) Chen Dong and Liu Yang conducted the first spacewalk from the Wentian airlock.{{cite web|title=China's spacewalkers take 2 steps towards faster Tiangong space station construction|date=2 September 2022 |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3191177/chinas-spacewalkers-take-2-steps-towards-faster-tiangong-space|publisher=South China Morning Post|access-date=2 September 2022}}{{cite web|title=China's Shenzhou 14 astronauts perform 1st spacewalk out of new module (video)|date=2 September 2022 |url=https://www.space.com/china-astronauts-spacewalk-from-new-module|publisher=Space.com|access-date=4 September 2022}} The Wentian airlock is now the primary choice for hosting spacewalks.

File:Wentian Lab Module.jpg|Wentian lab module prior to launch

File:Module relocation with rotation arm on Tiangong.gif|alt=The module relocation process with rotation arm equipped by the Wentian module|The module relocation process with rotation arm equipped by the Wentian lab cabin module

• Mengtian module
• Tianhe Core Module
• Xuntian Space Telescope

{{reflist}}

• [http://en.cmse.gov.cn/ Chinese Space Agency website]

{{China space station}}

{{CNSA space program}}

{{Orbital launches in 2022}}

Category:Chinese space stations

Category:Spacecraft launched in 2022

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