All major modules for China's space station are now together as the Mengtian space lab module has successfully docked with the Tianhe core module.
TANG YI Head Designer, China Space Station System China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) "Mengtian's rendezvous and docking process has some new challenges, including docking with the L-shape assembly made by the Tianhe and Wentian. Now an L shape is not symmetrical and that pattern is not a usual flight pattern, so it means challenges in posture and orbital control. We've carefully designed and calculated the docking process to be so well-linked like a dancer moving gracefully from one move to another."
But even after a successful rendezvous in space, the trio still have yet to form the perfect "T-shape" configuration.
A "transpositioning" process has to take place first before China Space Station locks in its basic structure.
TANG YI Head Designer, China Space Station System China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) "A 'T-shape' configuration is a symmetrical, extremely reliable configuration. A T-shape is good for gathering energy. It's also good for the use of space resources. The T-shape can extend to include another T-shape if the development requires it to, and expand not only in scale but also in longevity."
And when the space station is finished, it's expected to run for at least a decade, or possibly even longer. SY. CGTN, BJ.
