Recent Progress in Space Science and Applications of China’s Space Station in 2020-2022

摘要

China scheduled to complete the assembly of the T-shaped Tiangong Space Station in 2022,and will enter a new stage of utilization.There are more than 20 experiment racks inside the modules,and more than 50 external onboard payloads mounting spaces,which will support large-scale science and technology experiments during the operation.The development of internal experiment racks and external research accommodations approved during the construction has been completed,of which 4 racks in Tianhe core module,including High Microgravity Level research Rack(HMLR)and Container-less Materials Processing Rack(CMPR),have finished on-orbit tests;while other racks in Wentian and Mengtian experiment modules are under comprehensive ground tests.The Chinese Space Survey Telescope(CSST)has advanced much in the last two years with 24 pre-launch research projects funded and 4 joint science center built in preparation for CSST’s future scientific observations and operations.The systematic research planning for China’s Space Station(CSS)during 2022-2032 is updated with the researches classified into four important areas:space life sciences and human research,microgravity physical sciences,space astronomy and Earth science,and new space technologies and applications.According to the planning,more than 1000 experiments are expected to perform in CSS during the operating period.Overall,the CSS utilization missions are proceeding as planned,which will contribute to the major scientific or application output and have a positive impact on the quality of life on Earth.