Science Lab Module Added To the Chinese Tiangong Space Station

The Wentian laboratory, which was a massive 23 tons, is the heaviest module currently operating in space by any country. It was preceded by 2 other modules, The Tianzhou-class cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou-14 crewed spacecraft

By Adam Butler, SJ Correspondent
July 26, 2022 12:45 am UTC
Modified: July 26, 2022 12:45 am

CHINA - The Tiangong space station has received a new module, the Wentian science laboratory, which was docked with the Tianhe living module at around 3:13 AM local time on Monday. It was launched from the Wenchang space base which is located on Hainan Island, on Sunday.

After a successful 13-hour flight, it successfully docked with the Tiangong, according to the state-run Global Times.

The Wentian laboratory, which was a massive 23 tons, is the heaviest module currently operating in space by any country. It was preceded by 2 other modules, The Tianzhou-class cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou-14 crewed spacecraft.

The Wentian was launched by a Chinese Long March 5B-Y3 Rocket, which is China's most powerful space delivery system.

In October, another module, the Mengtian, is set to also launch and join with the Tiangong, which will be the final module to be added to the Chinese space station.

Reported by AP News, after being excluded from the International Space Station due to its military affiliations, China has designed, assembled, and implemented the Tiangong without help from any other nation. The Chinese space program is operated by the People's Liberation Army and not a civilian organization.

In 2003, China sent its 1st astronaut into space, which placed China as the 3rd country to achieve this amazing feat on its own, following the U.S. and the former Soviet Union.

China has also sent unmanned missions to the moon and mars, utilizing rover technology, and has also brought back moon surface samples on a return trip. China has also discussed a possible crewed mission to the moon in the future, but no decision has been made regarding this.