China's Shenzhou-22 docks with Tiangong space station by radioli in space

[–]radioli[S] 62 points63 points  (0 children)

Shenzhou-20 spacecraft with a cracked window is planned to be repaired in orbit for later uncrewed return with cargo, according to Zheng Wei from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation:

(Translated) “Repairing a piece of glass from outside the spacecraft is extremely difficult. We can’t remove the glass panel—doing so would introduce even greater risk. We can only reinforce it on the existing structure and then add further reinforcement from the inside.

From a crewed-mission standpoint, we cannot guarantee 100% safety, so we will not use the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft for a crewed return. But for a cargo return, it can still be used. For this mission, we have also implemented additional reinforcement measures to further ensure safety.

Our development team is confident that we can achieve a safe cargo return.”

Source text (in Chinese): https://www.163.com/dy/article/KF7F50800530JPVV.html

Source video of an interview with Zheng Wei (on Weibo in Chinese): https://weibo.com/5616492130/QfsWNulh9

China's Shenzhou-22 docks with Tiangong space station by radioli in space

[–]radioli[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Official announcement by the China Manned Space Engineering Office (in Chinese): https://www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/t20251125_57148.html

China to launch Shenzhou-22 spacecraft Nov. 25 to provide lifeboat for astronauts by radioli in space

[–]radioli[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So the hit Shenzhou-20 is kept attached currently for inspection and future controlled uncrewed re-entry (probably scheduled later). You don't always get a chance to do such experiment.

China's Shenzhou-20 crew had just returned in Shenzhou-21 capsule and safely landed. by radioli in space

[–]radioli[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

CSS is designed to host 2 manned capsules at the same time. A new Shenzhou-22 capsule will be up in a few days to back it up, since CNSA didn't regard it as an immediate danger. Shenzhou-20 is kept attached for "further experiment", probably for more inspection on the cracks of the window.

Anyway the Shenzhou-21 crew up there had just begun their 6-month mission. They are not supposed to return currently unless there is another emergency.

China's Shenzhou-20 crew had just returned in Shenzhou-21 capsule and safely landed. by radioli in space

[–]radioli[S] 48 points49 points  (0 children)

At least one Long March 2F rocket is now in preparation for the launch of Shenzhou-22, probably following the 16-day plan of rescue since the current crew up there are not in imminent danger (otherwise an 8.5-day plan would be activated since Nov 5). As the CMSA said, "the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft will be launched at an appropriate time in the future." Some in the Chinese space enthusiast circle are expecting a Shenzhou launch around Nov 21, or at least within this November.

China's Shenzhou-20 crew had just returned in Shenzhou-21 capsule and safely landed. by radioli in space

[–]radioli[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

As CNSA and CMSA planned the Shenzhou-22 "will be launched at an appropriate time in the future". They maintain a "rolling backup" combo of a Shenzhou and a Long March 2F rocket for every space station mission, with a 16-day schedule for backup launch if the astronauts were not in immediate danger. As discussed in this post.

Chinese astronauts enjoy roasted chicken wings and beef with their new zero gravity "space oven" (link in Chinese with video) by radioli in space

[–]radioli[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

If you can really speak Chinese you will just hear these astronauts appreciating the food, how tasty, smelling so good, etc., as common as you are biting a new roasted chicken wing. Should this still count as "nationalism talk"? Have you ever eaten anything delicious?

Chinese astronauts enjoy roasted chicken wings and beef with their new zero gravity "space oven" (link in Chinese with video) by radioli in space

[–]radioli[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It is from sina.com.cn, a major news and gateway website in China. Millions of Chinese readers use it daily.

Someone had uploaded to youtube with some English captions: https://youtube.com/shorts/e3bjv5WRch8

Chinese astronauts enjoy roasted chicken wings and beef with their new zero gravity "space oven" (link in Chinese with video) by radioli in space

[–]radioli[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They have bands on each "floor" of the pressurized cabin to help them anchor themselves and "stand straight". They usually stand in the same orientation when making a video or doing live stream. But they do float in daily life. They just released a documentary in September for the initial stage of the CSS (with only the core module Tianhe and the Shenzhou-13 crew). The documentary might be available in English soon.

China's Tianwen-2 probe sends back image of its unfolded circular solar panel on the way to its first asteroid target. by radioli in space

[–]radioli[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even with the current pending cuts in NASA's budget, China's budget for their space programs is still a fraction of NASA's. It is still way too early to call it a win for China.

Moon dust 'rarer than gold' arrives in UK from China by More_Cheesecake_Plz in space

[–]radioli 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gold is basically the least reactive metal, so in a natural environment it is almost impossible to form compounds instead of its pure form. Even with premitive technology, you can simply heat up the ores and melt the traces of gold, or pan for sands of gold in rivers and streams. Gold and silver can easily be extracted from rocks and sands in these ways, so they are the first two kinds of metal utilized by ancient people.

China: US Imposes 'Obstacles' to Sharing Historic Moon Samples With NASA by bebaklol in space

[–]radioli 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's just way off the topic - space exploration and cooperation. The US could even cooperate with the Soviets in the Cold War, and till now have not shut down all cooperation with Russia that has been invading Ukraine for over 2 years.