Shenzhou undocks, redocks with Tiangong module
Posted: Tue, Nov 15, 2011, 7:24 AM ET (1224 GMT)
An uncrewed Chinese Shenzhou spacecraft undocked from the experimental Tiangong-1 module on Monday and redocked with the module a short time later, the last major test of this mission to demonstrate Chinese docking technology. The Shenzhou-8 module undocked from the Tiangong-1 module at 6:27 am EST (1127 GMT) Monday, moved out to a distance of about 140 meters, and redocked with the module about a half-hour later, according to Chinese officials, who said the test went as planned. Shenzhou-8, launched on November 1, first docked with Tiangong-1 on November 3. The spacecraft will remain docked for two more days before Shenzhou-8 undocks and returns to Earth. The successful docking tests may clear the way for China to launch a crewed Shenzhou spacecraft next year to Tiangong-1, a prototype space lab that is part of Chinese efforts to develop a full-fledged space station by the end of the decade.
An uncrewed Chinese Shenzhou spacecraft undocked from the experimental Tiangong-1 module on Monday and redocked with the module a short time later, the last major test of this mission to demonstrate Chinese docking technology. The Shenzhou-8 module undocked from the Tiangong-1 module at 6:27 am EST (1127 GMT) Monday, moved out to a distance of about 140 meters, and redocked with the module about a half-hour later, according to Chinese officials, who said the test went as planned. Shenzhou-8, launched on November 1, first docked with Tiangong-1 on November 3. The spacecraft will remain docked for two more days before Shenzhou-8 undocks and returns to Earth. The successful docking tests may clear the way for China to launch a crewed Shenzhou spacecraft next year to Tiangong-1, a prototype space lab that is part of Chinese efforts to develop a full-fledged space station by the end of the decade.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, October 2
Firefly To Carry Starcloud AI Computer On Elytra Lunar Orbiter
Aviation Week — 4:20 am ET (0820 GMT) ESA Boss Sees European Human Spaceflight Taking Decade To Attain
Aviation Week — 4:19 am ET (0819 GMT) Jammertest pumps up the jam in Norway
ESA — 4:19 am ET (0819 GMT) ESA at the 77th International Astronautical Congress
ESA — 4:18 am ET (0818 GMT) GOMX-5 Successfully Launched
ESA — 4:18 am ET (0818 GMT) |
