Recent Progress in Space Science and Applications of China’s Space Station in 2020–2022
doi: 10.11728/cjss2022.04.yg29
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Abstract: 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.
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Table 1. Overview of experiment racks’ chief components and prime functions
No. Classification Name Main components Prime functions 1 Disciplinary
racksHuman System
research RackMedical sample microscopic observation and recording apparatus
Medical sample preparation unit
Weightlessness physiological effect research unit
Cardiovascular research unit
Space Raman spectrometer
Basic cognitive ability measuring unit
Motion characteristic measuring unitSupporting research on human physiological effects and human abilities in long-term space environment and experiments aiming at developing new protection technologies 2 Medical Sample
Analysis RackSpace centrifuge
Space medical sample refrigeratorSupport samples centrifuged and refrigerated (4℃) 3 Life and Ecology
research Rack (LER)Common creature cultivation unit
Small centrifuge experiment unit
Microbe detection unit
Small controlled life ecological
experiment unit
Small common creature cultivation unitGravity biology and radiation biology research using biological individuals (plants, insects, small mammals, aquatic organisms, microorganisms, etc.), cells, tissues, microbes, etc.; Research on the foundation and application of biological regeneration life support system 4 Biotechnology experiment
Rack (BTR)Cell and tissue experiment unit
Cell and tissue detection and
regulation unit
Crystallization and analysis of proteinMicrogravity cell and tissue cultivation, protein crystallization, biomolecule construction, biomechanical research and biotechnology transformation research 5 Fluid Physics
research Rack (FPR)Fluid dynamics unit
Complex fluid unitHydrodynamics research, experiments of various transparent systems (model alloy, protein crystallization, solution crystal growth, supercritical fluid); particle experiment, colloid and other complex fluid (soft matter) research 6 Disciplinary
racksTwo-Phase System
research Rack (TPSR)Optical observation platform
Gas management unit
Small-flow liquid supply unit
Large-flow liquid supply unitEvaporation and condensation phase changes with interface, phase changes enhanced by heat transfer, two-phase heat transfer and fluid management, two-phase loop system dynamics 7 Combustion Science
research Rack (CSR)Exhaust purification and collection subsystem
Oxidant and diluent subsystem
Combustion chamber and experimental plug-inResearch on microgravity combustion process and dynamics of solid, liquid and gas, experiment of aerospace propulsion combustion, fire prevention experiment of manned mission materials 8 High-Temperature Materials
research Rack (HTMR)Batch sample management unit
High-temperature furnace unit
X-ray real-time observation unitScientific experiments on crystal growth, solution growth and solidification of metal alloy, semiconductor, inorganic multifunctional materials encapsulated by ampoule structure 9 Container-less Materials
Processing Rack (CMPR)Container-free experimental platform
Vacuum and pressure unitSolidification mechanism of metallic and nonmetallic material, deep supercooling research, accurate measurement of thermophysical property of high-temperature melt, preparation of new materials, etc. 10 Cold Atom Physics
research Rack (CAPR)Physical subsystem
Rubidium potassium laser
Optical trap laser
Complementary magneto-optical
plug laser
Optical lattice laser
Polarized molecular laserQuantum properties of the critical point at ultra-low temperature for large scale and long-life-time Bose and Fermi quantum degenerate gas 11 High-Precision Time-Frequency
System (HPTFS)Optical atomic clock
Active hydrogen maser
Cold atomic microwave clock
Precision orbit determination unitFundamental physics and applied research with the frequency stability and uncertainty of a few parts in 10–17 12 Aerospace Basic
Test RackPayload installation unit Carry out experiments aiming at verifying the basic and key technologies of space in microgravity and other space environments 13 Supporting
racksGlovebox and Cold
Storage Rack (GCSR)Scientific glove box
Cryogenic storage apparatusThe scientific glove box provides the enclosed and clean environment for the operation of life science and other scientific experiments, e.g. samples preparation.
The cryogenic storage device provides preservation of biological or other samples at –80℃, –20℃ and 4℃14 Variable Gravity
research Rack (VGR)Centrifuge Normal gravity, low gravity and supergravity experiments in the range of 0.01–2 g for the experiments of fluid, life and materials sciences 15 High Microgravity Level research
Rack (HMLR)Suspension test bench Support fundamental physical experiments and other scientific experiments that need high microgravity level 16 On-orbit Maintenance and Manipulation
Workbench (MMW)Mobile maintenance platform
Diagnostic unitPreparation, cleaning, welding, lubrication, assembly, testing, fault diagnosis and maintenance of payload module or unit; on-orbit experiment of independent payloads 17 Universal Payload
Installation RackPayload integrated management unit
Thermal control unitProvides information and power supply interfaces, heat dissipation environments and nitrogen, vacuum, and exhaust gas interfaces for individual payload Table 2. Prime functions of external facilities
No. Name Prime functions 1 Space biology exposure experiment device Research on the animal model (nematodes), plants and plant seeds, microbes, and biological tissues, etc. in the extravehicular cosmic radiation environment 2 Extravehicular materials exposure experiment device Space damage and service performance study of applied materials (lubrication, thermal control, film coating, shape memory, functional coating, polymer, composite material, etc.); Study of tribology 3 Universal extravehicular device for components Support on-orbit tests of components and subassembly, e.g. obtaining on-orbit operation parameters and reliability test data -
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