Lift-off for China’s space ambitions of launching 2 crewed missions a year for a decade
- Space engineering chief says two cargo spacecraft will go up annually over the next decade as well
- Plans are also afoot for a space station telescope to scan the skies
“The initial plan is to launch two manned spacecraft and two cargo spacecraft each year, with astronauts staying in orbit for longer periods to conduct space science and technical experiments,” Hao said.
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Beijing plans to launch the Tianzhou 4 cargo spacecraft next month and the Shenzhou 14 in June, as well as send up two laboratory modules for the Tiangong – the Wentian in July and the Mengtian in October.
The Wentian and the Mengtian modules will be attached to the space station’s core to complete the T-shaped formation.
Han said the Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou 15 crewed mission would also lift off later this year.
Like the Shenzhou 14, the Shenzhou 15 will have three astronauts who will work and live in orbit for six months.
Crews for the next two missions were already in training, said Huang Weifen, chief designer at the China Manned Space Agency. But their names have yet to be announced.