China’s ambitious space program has taken another step forward, with the crew on the Tiangong space station making the country’s first spacewalk in 13 years.
According to Newatlas, a pair of Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, managed to mark several important assignments in the seven-hour extravehicular activity, which moved several key parts into place as construction continued on China’s new orbital laboratory.
China’s National Space Administration launched the core capsule from the Tiangong space station in April, delivering a bus-sized module equipped with life support systems and shelter for the crew. It then launched the cargo spacecraft packed with supplies in May, before being followed by a first crewed launch in June.
After doing some initial testing and validation of the onboard system, the crew now got to work installing some new components. On Sunday, Beijing time, the Tianhe module hatch opened for the first time and taikonauts Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo took to space.
Also Read:
Underwater Drones Can Perform Rescue Operations
–
–
The pair then proceeded to install new leg braces and work platforms on the mechanical arms on the outside of the station, as well as repositioning the panoramic camera. The entire rehearsal took about seven hours, with the pair also using a mechanical arm to attach additional gear before returning to the interior of the Tianhe module in time for Sunday dinner.
This marks China’s first spacewalk since Zhai Zhigang left the spacecraft Shenzhou 7 to walk in space during a three-day mission to Earth orbit in 2008, making it the country’s second and first tandem spacewalk.
Boming, Hongbo and fellow crew member Nie Haisheng, who stayed inside the Tianhe module during the space journey, will remain above Tiangong for three months. They are expected to take part in other spacewalks before their time runs out, and conduct waste and recycling system testing and scientific experiments.
Around next year, Tianhe will be joined by two smaller modules that will be used to carry out scientific investigations, with the entire laboratory expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2022.
Also Read:
Covid-19 Promotes Use of Technological Devices
–
–
This project is just one of a number of ambitious efforts by China’s National Space Administration, which recently brought lunar rocks back to Earth for study, landed the first spacecraft on the far side of the Moon, and landed its first probe on the surface of Mars.
(arisn/FBC)
Editor : Good Fit
Author : Aris N
– .
