Reach for the stars

TIANGONG SPACE STATION

A CUTTING-EDGE SPACE-BASED LABORATORY

8

Number of scientific cabinets inside the Wentian science module, mainly used to serve biological and life science studies, and to support research on the growth, aging and genetic traits of plants, animals and microbes in the space environment.

22

Number of extravehicular payload adapters on Wentian's exterior to conduct scientific experiments that require exposure to cosmic rays, vacuums and solar winds.

13 

Number of scientific cabinets inside the Mengtian science module — the world's largest single-body spacecraft currently in active service — for microgravity studies and experiments in fluid physics, materials science, combustion science and fundamental physics.

37

Number of extravehicular payload adapters outside Mengtian.

MANNED SPACE MISSIONS

before the in-orbit construction of Tiangong Space Station

Shenzhou V mission Launched on Oct 15, 2003, lasting 21 hours. China's first manned space mission. One crew member.

Shenzhou VI mission 
Launched on Oct 12, 2005, lasting nearly five days. China's first multi-staff spaceflight. Two crew members.

Shenzhou VII mission 
Launched on Sept 25, 2008, lasting nearly three days. China's first extravehicular activity. Three crew members.

Tiangong I mission
Launched on Sept 29, 2011, lasting about four-and-a-half years. As China's first space laboratory, it received astronauts from the Shenzhou IX and
Shenzhou X missions.

Shenzhou IX mission
Launched on June 16, 2012, lasting nearly 13 days. China's first space docking maneuver (with Tiangong I) and the first time that Chinese astronauts entered a space lab. Three crew members.

Shenzhou X mission
Launched on June 11, 2013, lasting nearly 15 days. During the mission, the first space lecture for Chinese students was made. Three crew members.

Tiangong II mission
Launched on Sept 15, 2016, lasting nearly three years. China's second
space laboratory received astronauts from the Shenzhou XI mission.

Shenzhou XI mission
Launched on Oct 17, 2016, lasting 33 days. The longest stay in space by Chinese astronauts. Two crew members.