China’s Tiangong space station research aims to ‘break technology choke points’
Thousands of experiments to be conducted over the next 10-15 years intended to serve the country’s crewed exploration programme
The China Manned Space Agency outlined the target on Monday in its first performance review of the Tiangong, adding that 181 experiments and application projects had been conducted, and nearly 2 tonnes of scientific materials delivered, as of December 1.
“We aim to achieve major breakthroughs in important areas at the basic frontier of international science and achieve systematic knowledge … in applied fundamentals and new technologies,” it said.
“As a national space laboratory, China’s space station will carry out thousands of research projects over the next 10-15 years of operation.”
According to the report, research will focus on meeting demand for near-Earth and cislunar space – which lies between our planet and the moon’s orbit – as well as deep space exploration and orbital services.
The agency is also eyeing technology breakthroughs in precision measurements, in-orbit construction, robots and automation, as well as propulsion and life support, to address choke points in space equipment.
“China’s space station will proactively expand global cooperation on space science and application … open scientific data, and set up a pattern of diversified cooperation,” the report said.
