![[ China in Space ]](images/headc.gif)
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Space Station
Artist impression of Chinese space station (SinoDefence.com)
One of the goals of Project 921 is to orbit a Chinese space station. Phase I of the program was putting a man into space and returning him safely. This phase culminated in the launches of ShenZhou 5 and ShenZhou 6. Phase II of Project 921 calls for a temporary space station. The launch of ShenZhou 7 marked the beginning of this phase, expected to culminate in 2015/16. Phase III has the goal of a larger, more permanent station with completion in the 2020 to 2025 time frame.
In 2007, the plan was for ShenZhou 8 and ShenZhou 9 to be configured as a laboratory, with an additional launch of ShenZhou 10 to provide a crew.
By 2009, the plan had been refined. The TianGong ("Sky Palace" or "Heavenly Palace") has two docking ports and serves as the 8.5 tonne core for the Phase II space stations. TianGong 1 was launched 29 September 2011 and expected to stay in orbit for about two years. ShenZhou 8 was then launched unmanned to dock to the station. Manned missions will then follow with ShenZhou 9 and ShenZhou 10.
TianGong 2 is projected for 2013 with ShenZhou 11 and ShenZhou 12 providing crews in 2013/14. This would be followed by TianGong 3 in 2015 and ShenZhou 13 and ShenZhou 14 in 2015/16.
Phase III will provide for a larger (20 tonne), more permanent station in the 2020-25 timeframe.
