China has successfully launched its Mengtian lab module, the T-shaped core structure of China Space Station will be formed soon. while Mengtian lab module is also equipped with a pair of flexible solar arrays, one of China's current largest and most efficient solar panels. CGTN's Wu Lei tells us more about what they do and why they're so important.

WU LEI Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site "This is a model of China Space Station. Many say the most eye-catching parts of the China Space Station are these two pairs of flexible solar panels on both Wentian and Mengtian lab modules. Each pair has a total length of around 55 meters and a combined area of nearly 280 square meters."

Space engineers say these four big solar wings will generate nearly 1,000 kWh electricity for China Space Station per day, which is equivalent to the electricity consumption of an ordinary family for nearly half a year.

LIU BIHAI Deputy Chief Designer, Mengtian Power System Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, CASC "The power supply systems of Mengtian and Wentian lab modules will generate 80 percent of the entire space station's electricity. All the modules' electricity will be combined on the grid for overall use."

WU LEI Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site "Actually, there are three types of solar wings on China Space Station. Shenzhou manned spacecraft uses the rigid solar wings, the Tianzhou cargo ships use semi-rigid solar wings, and Tianhe core module, and the two lab modules use flexible solar panels."

LIU BIHAI Deputy Chief Designer, Mengtian Power System Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, CASC "We have a special equipment called solar array huge driving Device, wrist-like bearing units to help rotate these two solar arrays, 360 degrees to face the sunlight in unblocked positions."

WU LEI Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site "So, you may ask, how can such a huge solar wing be repaired or even replaced in outer space? In fact, experts already have some preparations in place to do that."

LIU BIHAI Deputy Chief Designer, Mengtian Power System Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, CASC "The flexible solar arrays can be folded first. Astronauts can conduct a spacewalk and remove the solar array with the help of a robotic arm. Then we can repair or change that when a new solar array is sent to space via Tianzhou cargo ship."

WU LEI Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site "The China Space Station is expected to last for at least 10 years. These flexible solar panels mark a jump forward in China's solar array technology, and will ensure the stable, long-term operations of China's big spacecraft. WL, CGTN, Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site."