Laboratory Cabin Module: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox space station module

| module = Laboratory Cabin Module

| module_image = Tiangong 32 space laboratory model.jpg

| module_image_size = 300px

| module_image_caption = A model of [[Tiangong-2]], the prototype for the LCMs

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The '''Laboratory Cabin Modules''' ('''LCM''') ({{zh |s = 实验舱 }}) are components of the [[Tiangong space station]]. Based on the [[Tiangong-2]] experimental space module, the LCMs complete the [[Tiangong program#Tiangong space station|third and final stage]] of [[China Manned Space Program|Project 921]], the [[CNSA]]'s program to establish a permanent Chinese space station. While China's small uncrewed spacecraft can provide platforms for zero gravity and exposure to space for scientific research, the LCMs offer a long term environment combined with ready access by human researchers over periods that far exceed the capabilities of [[Shenzhou spacecraft]]. Operations are controlled from the [[Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center]] in [[China]].

The first LCM, '''''[[Wentian module|Wentian]]''''' ({{zh|s=问天|t=問天|p=Wèn Tiān|l=Quest for the Heavens<ref name=cd>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201804/26/WS5ae12347a3105cdcf651a87b.html|title=Planned space station details made public|quote=The two space labs, Wentian, or Quest for Heavens, and Mengtian, or Dreaming of Heavens|date=2018-04-26|work=[[China Daily]]}}</ref>}}), was launched into orbit on 24 July 2022. The second LCM, '''''[[Mengtian module|Mengtian]]''''' ({{zh|s=梦天|t=夢天|p=Mèng Tiān|l=Dreaming of the Heavens<ref>{{cite web|urlname=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201804/26/WS5ae12347a3105cdcf651a87b.html|title=Plannedcd space station details made public|quote=The two space labs, Wentian, or Quest for Heavens, and Mengtian, or Dreaming of Heavens|date=2018-04-26|work=[[China Daily]]}}</ref>}}), was launched into orbit on 31 October 2022.<ref name="sn-20220531">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/rocket-to-launch-chinas-next-space-station-module-arrives-at-launch-center/ |title=Rocket to launch China's next space station module arrives at launch center |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=31 May 2022 |access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref>

==Purpose==

{{Main|Wentian module|Mengtian module}}

[[File:Wentian Module.png|thumb|right|Diagram of the ''Wentian'' module]]

[[File:Mengtian module.png|thumb|right|Diagram of the ''Mengtian'' module]]

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==Dimensions==

The length of each module is 17.9 m. They are cylindrical with a maximum diameter of 4.2 m and an on-orbit mass of approximately {{convert|20,000|kg|lb|abbr=on}} apiece.<ref name="nsf-20210301" /><ref name = "天宫空间站关键技术特点综述">{{cite journal | last1 = 王 | first1 = 翔 | last2 = 王 | first2 = 为 | title = 天宫空间站关键技术特点综述 | journal = 中国科学: 技术科学 | volume = 51 | issue = 11 | date = 2021 | doi = 10.1360/SST-2021-0304 | s2cid = 241130963 | language = zh | accessdate = 2021-11-13 | url = https://www.sciengine.com/publisher/scp/journal/SST/51/11/10.1360/SST-2021-0304?slug=fulltext| url-access = subscription }}</ref>

==Launch==

Both modules arewere launched in 2022 on [[Long March 5B]] launch vehicles from [[Wenchang Satellite Launch Center]]. ''Wentian'' was launched on 24 July 2022, while ''Mengtian'' was launched on 31 October 2022.<ref name="sn-20220531" /> They were inserted into a [[low Earth orbit]] with an average altitude of {{convert|393|km|mi|abbr=on}} at an [[orbital inclination]] of 42 degrees, centered in the Earth's [[thermosphere]].<ref name="nsf-20210301">{{cite web |last=Barbosa |first=Rui C. |date=1 March 2021 |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/03/china-preparing-to-build-tiangong-station-in-2021-complete-by-2022/ |title=China preparing to build Tiangong station in 2021, complete by 2022 |website=[[NASASpaceFlight.com]] |accessdate=15 March 2021}}</ref><ref name=LCM>{{cite web |last=David |first=Leonard |url=https://www.space.com/11048-china-space-station-plans-details.html |title=China Details Ambitious Space Station Goals |work=[[Space.com]] |date=7 March 2011 |access-date=23 February 2012}}</ref>

==See also==