The core module of China's planned space station, along with the project's Tianzhou-2 cargo craft and the core module mission products of the space application systems, recently passed a factory review, according to the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) on Jan. 14.

Completion of the review signifies that the space station's construction will now enter the "implementation phase."

Production and testing work have now been completed on the core module of the Tianhe ("Harmony of the Heavens") space station and the Tianzhou-2 cargo craft, both developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). 

During the development process, the technical status and quality were well managed, the docking interfaces between different systems matched correctly, and risks were effectively identified and controlled. The functions and performance of the module and craft have all met the overall project requirements.

Flight models have also been developed for the core module mission products of the space application systems, with the technical status controlled, inter-system docking interfaces coordinated, and the ground tests and matching tests progressing smoothly.

The space station's in-orbit construction is scheduled for completion around 2022, which will mark the final step in China's three-step development strategy for its manned space program. 

To meet the target, China plans to carry out 11 flight missions this year and next, including three launches of different modules, four cargo spacecraft launches and four manned craft launches.

Content created in partnership with Science and Technology Daily

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