Shenzhou (spacecraft)
Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox spacecraft class
Shenzhou (Template:Zh, Template:IPAc-en;<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> see Template:Slink) 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
[edit]The literal meaning of the native name Template:Lang (p: Shénzhōu; Template:IPAc-en<ref name=":0" />) is "the Divine vessel [on the Heavenly River]", to which Heavenly River (Template:Lang) means the Milky Way in Classical Chinese.<ref name="Xinhua 20080923"/> Template:Lang is a pun and neologism that plays on the poetic word referring to China, Template:Lang,<ref name="Xinhua 20080923">Template:Cite news</ref> meaning Divine realm,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> which bears the same pronunciation. For further information, refer to Chinese theology, Chinese astronomy and names of China.
History
[edit]Template:Main China's first efforts at human spaceflight started in 1968 with a projected launch date of 1973.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Although China successfully launched an uncrewed satellite in 1970, its crewed spacecraft program was cancelled in 1980 due to a lack of funds.<ref name="futron"/>
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.<ref name="futron">Template:Cite web</ref> The general designer of Shenzhou-1 through Shenzhou-5 was Qi Faren ((Template:Lang-zh), 26 April 1933), and from Shenzhou-6 on, the general design was turned over to Zhang Bainan ((Template:Lang-zh), 23 June 1962).Template:Citation needed
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.Template:Citation needed 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
[edit]
Shenzhou consists of three modules: a forward orbital module (Template:Lang-zh), a reentry module (Template:Lang-zh) in the middle, and an aft service module (Template:Lang-zh). 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.
| Mass | Template:Cvt |
|---|---|
| Length | Template:Cvt |
| Diameter | Template:Cvt |
| Span | Template:Cvt |
Orbital module
[edit]
The orbital module (Template:Lang-zh) 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).<ref name="her">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.
| Design life | 200 days |
|---|---|
| Length | Template:Cvt |
| Diameter | Template:Cvt |
| Span | Template:Cvt |
| Habitable volume | Template:Cvt |
| Mass | Template:Cvt |
| RCS (coarse) | 16 × Template:Cvt |
| RCS propellant | Hydrazine |
| Electrical system | Solar panels, Template:Cvt |
| Power | 0.50 kW (avg.) |
Reentry module
[edit]
The reentry module (Template:Lang-zh) 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.
| Crew capacity | 3 |
|---|---|
| Design life | 20 days (original) |
| Length | Template:Cvt |
| Diameter | Template:Cvt |
| Habitable volume | Template:Cvt |
| Mass | Template:Cvt |
| Heat shield mass | Template:Cvt |
| Lift-to-drag-ratio | 0.30 (hypersonic) |
| RCS (coarse) | 8 × Template:Cvt |
| RCS propellant | Hydrazine |
<ref>http://www.braeunig.us/space/specs/shenzhou.htm</ref>
Service module
[edit]
The aft service module (Template:Lang-zh) 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 Template:Convert, indicating average electrical power over 1.5 kW (Soyuz have 1.0 kW).
| Design life | 20 days (original) |
|---|---|
| Length | Template:Cvt |
| Basic diameter | Template:Cvt |
| Maximum diameter | Template:Cvt |
| Span | Template:Cvt |
| Mass | Template:Cvt |
| RCS (coarse) | 8 × Template:Cvt |
| RCS (coarse) | 16 × Template:Cvt |
| Main engine thrust | Template:Cvt |
| Main engine specific impulse |
Template:Cvt |
| Propellant | Template:Chem2/MMH |
| Propellant mass | Template:Cvt |
| Electrical system | Solar panels, Template:Cvt |
| Power | 1.50 kW (avg.) |
Comparison with Soyuz
[edit]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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Launch records
[edit]The records information is all from Gunter's space page.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> All times are in Coordinated Universal Time. Template: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 | Template:N/A | 21 hours, 11 minutes | 14 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 2 | 9 January 2001, 17:00 | 16 January 2001, 11:22 | Template:N/A | 6 days, 18 hours, 22 minutes | 108 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Partial failureTemplate:Efn |
| Shenzhou 3 | 25 March 2002, 14:15 | 1 April 2002, 08:51 | Template:N/A | 6 days, 18 hours, 51 minutes | 108 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 4 | 29 December 2002, 16:40 | 5 January 2003, 11:16 | Template:N/A | 6 days, 18 hours, 36 minutes | 108 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template: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 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 6 | 12 October 2005, 01:00 | 16 October 2005, 20:33 | Template:Unbulleted list | 4 days, 19 hours, 33 minutes | 77 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 7 | 25 September 2008, 13:10 | 28 September 2008, 09:37 | Template:Unbulleted list | 2 days, 20 hours, 27 minutes | 45 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 8 | 31 October 2011, 21:58 | 17 November 2011, 11:32 | Template:N/A | 17 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes | 249 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 9 | 16 June 2012, 10:37 | 29 June 2012, 02:01 | Template:Unbulleted list | 12 days, 15 hours, 24 minutes | 198 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 10 | 11 June 2013, 09:38 | 26 June 2013, 00:07 | Template:Unbulleted list | 14 days, 14 hours, 29 minutes | 229 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 11 | 16 October 2016, 23:30 | 18 November 2016, 05:59 | Template:Unbulleted list | 32 days, 6 hours, 29 minutes | 507 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 12 | 17 June 2021, 01:22 | 17 September 2021, 05:34 | Template:Unbulleted list | 92 days, 4 hours, 11 minutes | 1,454 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 13 | 15 October 2021, 16:23 | 16 April 2022, 01:56 | Template:Unbulleted list | 182 days, 9 hours, 32 minutes | 2,885 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 14 | 5 June 2022, 02:44 | 4 December 2022, 12:09 | Template:Unbulleted list | 182 days, 9 hours, 25 minutes | 2,885 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 15 | 29 November 2022, 15:08 | 3 June 2023, 22:33 | Template:Unbulleted list | 186 days, 7 hours, 25 minutes | 2,931 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 16 | 30 May 2023, 09:31 | 31 October 2023, 00:12 | Template:Unbulleted list | 153 days, 22 hours and 41 minutes | 2,429 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 17 | 26 October 2023, 03:14 | 30 April 2024, 09:46 | Template:Unbulleted list | 187 days, 6 hours and 32 minutes | 2,943 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 18 | 25 April 2024, 12:59 | 3 November 2024, 17:24 | Template:Unbulleted list | 192 days, 4 hours and 25 minutes | 3,041 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 19 | 29 October 2024, 20:27 | 29 April 2025, 5:09 | Template:Unbulleted list | 182 days, 8 hours and 42 minutes | 2,886 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Success |
| Shenzhou 20 | 24 April 2025, 9:17 | November 2025 | Template:Unbulleted list | 180 days (planned) | Currently in orbit | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | Template:Operational |
In popular culture
[edit]- 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- In Star Trek: Discovery, the Walker class starship USS Shenzhou is named after this spacecraft.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
[edit]Template:Portal Template:Colbegin
- 863 Program
- Beihang University
- Mengzhou
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Long March (rocket family)
- Names of China
- Shuguang
- Tiangong program
- List of human spaceflights to the Tiangong space station
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]Further reading
[edit]External links
[edit]- Flickr: Photos tagged with shenzhou, photos likely relating to Shenzhou spacecraft
- Template:Usurped
Template:Shenzhou program Template:China space station Template:Chinese space program Template:Crewed spacecraft