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Estación espacial Tiangong de China infographic
El gráfico muestra la estación espacial Tiangong de China que fue completada el 31 de octubre de 2022.
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ESPACIO

El módulo final se acopla en la estación espacial Tiangong de China

By Duncan Mil

November 1, 2022 - China ha completado con éxito la construcción de su estación espacial. Tiangong (Palacio en el Cielo) se conectará con el telescopio espacial Xuntian planeado por China y albergará experimentos en órbita, a unos 400km sobre la Tierra.

The laboratory module, named Mengtian -- or “Dreaming of the Heavens” -- was launched on a Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang launch centre on China’s southern island of Hainan, China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said.

CMSA said Mengtian, currently connected to the core module’s front docking port, will be moved to a side port to restore the station’s symmetry and complete its basic T-shape configuration.

Mengtian carries a trio of optical clocks intended to keep time with unprecedented precision and seven minilabs for research ranging from fluids physics to materials science.

According to CMSA, Mengtian also has a dedicated area -- 32 cubic metres of its nearly 110 cubic metres total volume -- for astronauts to work, but no sleeping area or toilet.

China’s first space-based optical telescope, known as Xuntian -- “Space Sentinel” -- is due for launch in 2023. Xuntian will fly in the same orbit as the space station but will work independently, researching the universe’s formation and dark matter.

In December, the Tianzhou 5 cargo craft and the Shenzhou 15 crew will arrive at the orbiting outpost for the station’s first-ever crew handover.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 01/11/2022; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: China National Space Administration
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