Four years ago, on April 29, 2021, China launched the Tianhe core module into orbit, marking the beginning of an ambitious journey to build the China Space Station. This module, serving as the heart of the space station, integrates crucial functions like astronaut life support, orbital control, and information management.
Since its launch, Tianhe has played host to the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules, forming the distinctive “T” configuration of the station. It has welcomed nine crewed missions, from Shenzhou-12 up to the latest Shenzhou-20, and has been the backdrop for remarkable milestones including spacewalks, robotic arm operations, educational lectures broadcast from space, and cutting-edge scientific experiments.
The four-year operation of Tianhe signifies a new era of steady progress and high-quality development for China’s manned space program. It lays a solid foundation for expansive space science research and opens doors for international cooperation in the future.
With the recent arrival of the Shenzhou-20 crew, the China Space Station is gearing up for a series of high-frequency experiments in areas such as space medicine, life sciences, and material science. These endeavors aim to deepen our understanding of the cosmos and contribute to advancements that benefit all of humanity.
