The Wentian module was powered by a Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang Launch Center on the Chinese island of Hainan. Photo: @CNSpaceStation
The past year 2022 was a year of significant progress and new records for the Chinese space sector.
The Asian giant performed more than 60 space launches a year, a record number. Of these missions, 53 were carried out by the Long March launchers, the country’s main launchers.
The share of launches using new-generation rockets has increased, reaching a three-year high of 27 percent by 2022, said Long Lehao, a senior adviser on Long March rockets.
Successful missions include the deployment of 22 satellites into space with a Long March 8 rocket, the record-breaking first flight of a Long March-6 rocket with solid clip-on engines; and the launch of a reusable test spacecraft with a Long March-2F rocket. These missions laid the technological foundations for the peaceful use of space.
But the most high-profile rocket launches this year involved the construction of China’s space station, which sent two manned spacecraft, two cargo ships and two 20-ton laboratory modules into orbit.
Launch of the Mengtian laboratory module was a challenge because it weighs 23 tons, making it the world’s heaviest single-cabin active spacecraft in orbit.
China has also made progress on its manned space program. A total of nine taikonauts in three missions – Shenzhou-13, Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 – have been involved in the construction of the space station this year.
The country also conducted its first in-orbit crew rotation, with six Chinese nationals aboard the Chinese space station at the same time.
Chen Dong became the first taikonaut to stay in orbit for more than 200 days. Before returning to Earth on Dec. 4, he led the Shenzhou-14 crew to complete several tasks, including three spacewalks, a series of science experiments, a live science conference, and various in-orbit operations. Chinese netizens have dubbed the trio “the busiest space crew.”
The past year has also seen the debut of several commercial Chinese rockets that have launched satellites.
China will continue its busy space launch schedule in 2023. More Long March rockets will take on missions for the operational phase of the Chinese space station. New generation missiles are also expected to be launched, Long reported.
(With information from Xinhua)
See also:
China advances construction of its space station by sending a laboratory (+ video)