2016年CRI China to launch Tiangong-2 space lab Thursday

 

After an exhaustive review of the new space lab, as well as the Long March rocket which will carry it into space, along with weather conditions, Chinese space authorities have decided¹ to launch Tiangong-2 tonight, shortly after 10pm.

The launch coincides with the start of the Chinese mid-autumn festival holiday, which will allow many more people than normal to be able to watch the launch on television.

Based on the first prototype space lab, the Tiangong 1, Tiangong 2 is designed with two separate space modules². One is for experiments, while the other for supplies.

Wu Ping, deputy director of the Chinese Space Administration's manned space engineering office, says although Tiangong-2 is similar in size to Tiangong-1, it is a bit larger, has better living conditions and better communication technology than the previous space lab.

"Tiangong-2 can really be seen as China's space lab in its truest sense. We will make the best use of it, running tests on microgravity in space, as well as the effects of long-term stays in space. We're going to carry out various scientific, medical and technical experiments, with the ultimate goal of building and operating our own space station. "

The Tiangong-2 space lab will be carried into space by a Long March 2F rocket.

Fueling of the massive rocket began on Wednesday afternoon.

Zhu Zongpeng, chief designer of the Tiangong 2 space lab, says preparation work ahead of the launch has gone very well.

"Right now everything we need has been added to Tiangong 2, and it’s now securely installed within the carrier rocket on the launch tower. Before the final launch, we will run a few tests, including a power supply check. But so far everything appears to be in good condition. The propellant is in place and all indicators³ are at a normal status."

After leaving the atmosphere, Tiangong 2 will be placed in an orbit 393-kilometers above the Earth.

Once its orbit is synchronized⁴, Chinese space authorities will prepare to launch the Shenzhou 11.

The manned spacecraft is due to be launched sometime in late October.

The 2 astronauts onboard will be tasked with docking with the Tiangong 2 space lab.

Once there, they'll conduct experiments using the latest, cutting edge technologies in areas such as fundamental physics, biology, fluid mechanics in micro gravity and aerospace⁵ medicine.

Tiangong 2 is the latest step toward the creation of China's own permanent manned space station, which is scheduled to enter service around the year 2020.

For CRI, this is Liu Mohan in Jiuquan.

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 modules   

n.模块( module的名词复数 )；单元；（宇宙飞船上各个独立的）舱；组件

参考例句：

• The course consists of ten core modules and five optional modules. 这门课程包括十个必修单元和五个选修单元。
• Our English course is divided into modules on poetry, drama, and novels. 我们的英语课分为诗歌、戏剧和小说等单元。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 indicators   

（仪器上显示温度、压力、耗油量等的）指针( indicator的名词复数 )； 指示物； （车辆上的）转弯指示灯； 指示信号

参考例句：

• The economic indicators are better than expected. 经济指标比预期的好。
• It is still difficult to develop indicators for many concepts used in social science. 为社会科学领域的许多概念确立一个指标仍然很难。

4 synchronized   

同步的

参考例句：

• Do not use the synchronized keyword in Managed Objects. 不要在管理对象上使用synchronized关键字。 来自互联网
• The timing of the gun was precisely synchronized with the turning of the plane's propeller. 风门的调速与飞机螺旋桨的转动精确同步。 来自辞典例句

5 aerospace   

adj.航空的，宇宙航行的

参考例句：

• The world's entire aerospace industry is feeling the chill winds of recession.全世界的航空航天工业都感受到了经济衰退的寒意。
• Edward Murphy was an aerospace engineer for the US Army.爱德华·墨菲是一名美军的航宇工程师。