Shenzhou 8
Encyclopedia
Shenzhou 8 was an unmanned flight of China
's Shenzhou program
, launched on October 31, 2011 UTC, or November 1 in China, by a modified Long March 2F
(CZ-2F) rocket which lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
.
The Shenzhou 8 spacecraft was automatically docked with the Tiangong 1
space module (launched on 29 September 2011) on November 3 and again on November 14, 2011. This unmanned docking—China's first—will be followed in 2012 with the manned Shenzhou 9
mission, which will perform a manned docking (also China's first) with the Tiangong 1 module. Only the Soviet Union (Russia), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the European Space Agency
had achieved automatic rendezvous and docking prior to China's accomplishment.
that Tiangong 1
, an 8-ton "target vehicle", would be launched in 2010 (now 2011). Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9
and Shenzhou 10
are all intended to dock with it.
On October 1, 2008, Shanghai Space Administration, which participated in the development of Shenzhou 8, stated that they have succeeded in the simulated experiments for the docking of Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 8.
, the launch of Shenzhou 8 was planned for early 2011.
By March of 2011, the launch had been postponed until October 2011.
Shenzhou 8 was actually launched at 21:58 UTC on October 31, 2011 (November 1 in China) by a modified Long March 2F
(CZ-2F) rocket. The launch lifted off from 921/SLS-1 Launch Pad at the Southern Launch Site of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
.
Shenzhou 8 was an unmanned flight of China
's Shenzhou program
, launched on October 31, 2011 UTC, or November 1 in China, by a modified Long March 2F
(CZ-2F) rocket which lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
.
The Shenzhou 8 spacecraft was automatically docked with the Tiangong 1
space module (launched on 29 September 2011) on November 3 and again on November 14, 2011. This unmanned docking—China's first—will be followed in 2012 with the manned Shenzhou 9
mission, which will perform a manned docking (also China's first) with the Tiangong 1 module. Only the Soviet Union (Russia), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the European Space Agency
had achieved automatic rendezvous and docking prior to China's accomplishment.
that Tiangong 1
, an 8-ton "target vehicle", would be launched in 2010 (now 2011). Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9
and Shenzhou 10
are all intended to dock with it.
On October 1, 2008, Shanghai Space Administration, which participated in the development of Shenzhou 8, stated that they have succeeded in the simulated experiments for the docking of Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 8.
, the launch of Shenzhou 8 was planned for early 2011.
By March of 2011, the launch had been postponed until October 2011.
Shenzhou 8 was actually launched at 21:58 UTC on October 31, 2011 (November 1 in China) by a modified Long March 2F
(CZ-2F) rocket. The launch lifted off from 921/SLS-1 Launch Pad at the Southern Launch Site of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
.
Shenzhou 8 was an unmanned flight of China
's Shenzhou program
, launched on October 31, 2011 UTC, or November 1 in China, by a modified Long March 2F
(CZ-2F) rocket which lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
.
The Shenzhou 8 spacecraft was automatically docked with the Tiangong 1
space module (launched on 29 September 2011) on November 3 and again on November 14, 2011. This unmanned docking—China's first—will be followed in 2012 with the manned Shenzhou 9
mission, which will perform a manned docking (also China's first) with the Tiangong 1 module. Only the Soviet Union (Russia), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the European Space Agency
had achieved automatic rendezvous and docking prior to China's accomplishment.
that Tiangong 1
, an 8-ton "target vehicle", would be launched in 2010 (now 2011). Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9
and Shenzhou 10
are all intended to dock with it.
On October 1, 2008, Shanghai Space Administration, which participated in the development of Shenzhou 8, stated that they have succeeded in the simulated experiments for the docking of Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 8.
, the launch of Shenzhou 8 was planned for early 2011.
By March of 2011, the launch had been postponed until October 2011.
Shenzhou 8 was actually launched at 21:58 UTC on October 31, 2011 (November 1 in China) by a modified Long March 2F
(CZ-2F) rocket. The launch lifted off from 921/SLS-1 Launch Pad at the Southern Launch Site of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
.
The unmanned Shenzhou 8 mission successfully docked with Tiangong-1 on 2 November 2011 GMT, marking China's first orbital docking. Shenzhou 8 undocked from Tiangong-1 on 14 November, before successfully completing a second rendezvous and docking, so as to test the reusability of the docking system.
Shenzhou 8 deorbited on 17 November 2011, and landed safely in Siziwang Banner
in Inner Mongolia
.
docking module in place of the usual orbital module, and performed its docking operation automatically under ground control. Docking took place on November 2nd at 1728 GMT, during orbital darkness to avoid interference from the Sun's glare with sensitive navigation and rendezvous equipment.
After 12 days being docked, Shenzhou 8 undocked and a second docking took place, this time in full sunlight. The separation, second rendezvous, and docking occurred on November 14th and was aimed to test accuracy and reliability of equipment and sensors in a bright environment. On November 17, the capsule will be autonomously de-orbited.
The mission will also feature a biological sample supplied by Germany and the European Space Agency
, which has been cited as an example of "international cooperation in the field of manned space" by Zhang Jianqi, deputy chief commander of China's manned space programme.
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
's Shenzhou program
Shenzhou program
The Shenzhou program is a manned spaceflight initiative by the People's Republic of China. The program put the first Chinese citizen, Yang Liwei, into orbit on 15 October 2003....
, launched on October 31, 2011 UTC, or November 1 in China, by a modified Long March 2F
Long March 2F
The Long March 2F , also known as the CZ-2F, LM-2F and Shenjian, is a Chinese manned orbital carrier rocket, part of the Long March rocket family. Designed to launch manned Shenzhou spacecraft, the Long March 2F is a man-rated two-stage version of the Long March 2E rocket, which in turn was based...
(CZ-2F) rocket which lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a People's Republic of China space vehicle launch facility .The facility is part of Dongfeng Aerospace City , and is located in the Gobi desert, Ejin Banner , Alxa League , Inner Mongolia, situated about 1,600 km from Beijing.- History :It was founded in 1958,...
.
The Shenzhou 8 spacecraft was automatically docked with the Tiangong 1
Tiangong 1
Tiangong-1 is a Chinese space laboratory module, and is an experimental testbed to demonstrate the rendezvous and docking capabilities needed to support a space station complex. Launched unmanned aboard a Long March 2F/G rocket on 29 September 2011, it is part of the Tiangong program, which aims...
space module (launched on 29 September 2011) on November 3 and again on November 14, 2011. This unmanned docking—China's first—will be followed in 2012 with the manned Shenzhou 9
Shenzhou 9
Shenzhou 9 is a planned, probably manned flight of China's Shenzhou program that is scheduled for launch in March or April 2012, following the unmanned Shenzhou 8 mission in 2011. The aim of the mission will be to perform a docking with the Tiangong 1...
mission, which will perform a manned docking (also China's first) with the Tiangong 1 module. Only the Soviet Union (Russia), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
The , or JAXA, is Japan's national aerospace agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on October 1, 2003, as an Independent Administrative Institution administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the...
, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the European Space Agency
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
had achieved automatic rendezvous and docking prior to China's accomplishment.
History
On September 29, 2008, Zhang Jianqi , Vice Director of China manned space engineering, announced in an interview of China Central TelevisionChina Central Television
China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
that Tiangong 1
Tiangong 1
Tiangong-1 is a Chinese space laboratory module, and is an experimental testbed to demonstrate the rendezvous and docking capabilities needed to support a space station complex. Launched unmanned aboard a Long March 2F/G rocket on 29 September 2011, it is part of the Tiangong program, which aims...
, an 8-ton "target vehicle", would be launched in 2010 (now 2011). Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9
Shenzhou 9
Shenzhou 9 is a planned, probably manned flight of China's Shenzhou program that is scheduled for launch in March or April 2012, following the unmanned Shenzhou 8 mission in 2011. The aim of the mission will be to perform a docking with the Tiangong 1...
and Shenzhou 10
Shenzhou 10
Shenzhou 10 is a planned manned spaceflight of China's Shenzhou program that is scheduled for launch in 2012. This conventional Shenzhou will carry a crew of three astronauts...
are all intended to dock with it.
On October 1, 2008, Shanghai Space Administration, which participated in the development of Shenzhou 8, stated that they have succeeded in the simulated experiments for the docking of Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 8.
, the launch of Shenzhou 8 was planned for early 2011.
By March of 2011, the launch had been postponed until October 2011.
Shenzhou 8 was actually launched at 21:58 UTC on October 31, 2011 (November 1 in China) by a modified Long March 2F
Long March 2F
The Long March 2F , also known as the CZ-2F, LM-2F and Shenjian, is a Chinese manned orbital carrier rocket, part of the Long March rocket family. Designed to launch manned Shenzhou spacecraft, the Long March 2F is a man-rated two-stage version of the Long March 2E rocket, which in turn was based...
(CZ-2F) rocket. The launch lifted off from 921/SLS-1 Launch Pad at the Southern Launch Site of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a People's Republic of China space vehicle launch facility .The facility is part of Dongfeng Aerospace City , and is located in the Gobi desert, Ejin Banner , Alxa League , Inner Mongolia, situated about 1,600 km from Beijing.- History :It was founded in 1958,...
.
Shenzhou 8 was an unmanned flight of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
's Shenzhou program
Shenzhou program
The Shenzhou program is a manned spaceflight initiative by the People's Republic of China. The program put the first Chinese citizen, Yang Liwei, into orbit on 15 October 2003....
, launched on October 31, 2011 UTC, or November 1 in China, by a modified Long March 2F
Long March 2F
The Long March 2F , also known as the CZ-2F, LM-2F and Shenjian, is a Chinese manned orbital carrier rocket, part of the Long March rocket family. Designed to launch manned Shenzhou spacecraft, the Long March 2F is a man-rated two-stage version of the Long March 2E rocket, which in turn was based...
(CZ-2F) rocket which lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a People's Republic of China space vehicle launch facility .The facility is part of Dongfeng Aerospace City , and is located in the Gobi desert, Ejin Banner , Alxa League , Inner Mongolia, situated about 1,600 km from Beijing.- History :It was founded in 1958,...
.
The Shenzhou 8 spacecraft was automatically docked with the Tiangong 1
Tiangong 1
Tiangong-1 is a Chinese space laboratory module, and is an experimental testbed to demonstrate the rendezvous and docking capabilities needed to support a space station complex. Launched unmanned aboard a Long March 2F/G rocket on 29 September 2011, it is part of the Tiangong program, which aims...
space module (launched on 29 September 2011) on November 3 and again on November 14, 2011. This unmanned docking—China's first—will be followed in 2012 with the manned Shenzhou 9
Shenzhou 9
Shenzhou 9 is a planned, probably manned flight of China's Shenzhou program that is scheduled for launch in March or April 2012, following the unmanned Shenzhou 8 mission in 2011. The aim of the mission will be to perform a docking with the Tiangong 1...
mission, which will perform a manned docking (also China's first) with the Tiangong 1 module. Only the Soviet Union (Russia), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
The , or JAXA, is Japan's national aerospace agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on October 1, 2003, as an Independent Administrative Institution administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the...
, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the European Space Agency
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
had achieved automatic rendezvous and docking prior to China's accomplishment.
History
On September 29, 2008, Zhang Jianqi , Vice Director of China manned space engineering, announced in an interview of China Central TelevisionChina Central Television
China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
that Tiangong 1
Tiangong 1
Tiangong-1 is a Chinese space laboratory module, and is an experimental testbed to demonstrate the rendezvous and docking capabilities needed to support a space station complex. Launched unmanned aboard a Long March 2F/G rocket on 29 September 2011, it is part of the Tiangong program, which aims...
, an 8-ton "target vehicle", would be launched in 2010 (now 2011). Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9
Shenzhou 9
Shenzhou 9 is a planned, probably manned flight of China's Shenzhou program that is scheduled for launch in March or April 2012, following the unmanned Shenzhou 8 mission in 2011. The aim of the mission will be to perform a docking with the Tiangong 1...
and Shenzhou 10
Shenzhou 10
Shenzhou 10 is a planned manned spaceflight of China's Shenzhou program that is scheduled for launch in 2012. This conventional Shenzhou will carry a crew of three astronauts...
are all intended to dock with it.
On October 1, 2008, Shanghai Space Administration, which participated in the development of Shenzhou 8, stated that they have succeeded in the simulated experiments for the docking of Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 8.
, the launch of Shenzhou 8 was planned for early 2011.
By March of 2011, the launch had been postponed until October 2011.
Shenzhou 8 was actually launched at 21:58 UTC on October 31, 2011 (November 1 in China) by a modified Long March 2F
Long March 2F
The Long March 2F , also known as the CZ-2F, LM-2F and Shenjian, is a Chinese manned orbital carrier rocket, part of the Long March rocket family. Designed to launch manned Shenzhou spacecraft, the Long March 2F is a man-rated two-stage version of the Long March 2E rocket, which in turn was based...
(CZ-2F) rocket. The launch lifted off from 921/SLS-1 Launch Pad at the Southern Launch Site of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a People's Republic of China space vehicle launch facility .The facility is part of Dongfeng Aerospace City , and is located in the Gobi desert, Ejin Banner , Alxa League , Inner Mongolia, situated about 1,600 km from Beijing.- History :It was founded in 1958,...
.
Shenzhou 8 was an unmanned flight of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
's Shenzhou program
Shenzhou program
The Shenzhou program is a manned spaceflight initiative by the People's Republic of China. The program put the first Chinese citizen, Yang Liwei, into orbit on 15 October 2003....
, launched on October 31, 2011 UTC, or November 1 in China, by a modified Long March 2F
Long March 2F
The Long March 2F , also known as the CZ-2F, LM-2F and Shenjian, is a Chinese manned orbital carrier rocket, part of the Long March rocket family. Designed to launch manned Shenzhou spacecraft, the Long March 2F is a man-rated two-stage version of the Long March 2E rocket, which in turn was based...
(CZ-2F) rocket which lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a People's Republic of China space vehicle launch facility .The facility is part of Dongfeng Aerospace City , and is located in the Gobi desert, Ejin Banner , Alxa League , Inner Mongolia, situated about 1,600 km from Beijing.- History :It was founded in 1958,...
.
The Shenzhou 8 spacecraft was automatically docked with the Tiangong 1
Tiangong 1
Tiangong-1 is a Chinese space laboratory module, and is an experimental testbed to demonstrate the rendezvous and docking capabilities needed to support a space station complex. Launched unmanned aboard a Long March 2F/G rocket on 29 September 2011, it is part of the Tiangong program, which aims...
space module (launched on 29 September 2011) on November 3 and again on November 14, 2011. This unmanned docking—China's first—will be followed in 2012 with the manned Shenzhou 9
Shenzhou 9
Shenzhou 9 is a planned, probably manned flight of China's Shenzhou program that is scheduled for launch in March or April 2012, following the unmanned Shenzhou 8 mission in 2011. The aim of the mission will be to perform a docking with the Tiangong 1...
mission, which will perform a manned docking (also China's first) with the Tiangong 1 module. Only the Soviet Union (Russia), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
The , or JAXA, is Japan's national aerospace agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on October 1, 2003, as an Independent Administrative Institution administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the...
, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the European Space Agency
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
had achieved automatic rendezvous and docking prior to China's accomplishment.
History
On September 29, 2008, Zhang Jianqi , Vice Director of China manned space engineering, announced in an interview of China Central TelevisionChina Central Television
China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
that Tiangong 1
Tiangong 1
Tiangong-1 is a Chinese space laboratory module, and is an experimental testbed to demonstrate the rendezvous and docking capabilities needed to support a space station complex. Launched unmanned aboard a Long March 2F/G rocket on 29 September 2011, it is part of the Tiangong program, which aims...
, an 8-ton "target vehicle", would be launched in 2010 (now 2011). Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9
Shenzhou 9
Shenzhou 9 is a planned, probably manned flight of China's Shenzhou program that is scheduled for launch in March or April 2012, following the unmanned Shenzhou 8 mission in 2011. The aim of the mission will be to perform a docking with the Tiangong 1...
and Shenzhou 10
Shenzhou 10
Shenzhou 10 is a planned manned spaceflight of China's Shenzhou program that is scheduled for launch in 2012. This conventional Shenzhou will carry a crew of three astronauts...
are all intended to dock with it.
On October 1, 2008, Shanghai Space Administration, which participated in the development of Shenzhou 8, stated that they have succeeded in the simulated experiments for the docking of Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 8.
, the launch of Shenzhou 8 was planned for early 2011.
By March of 2011, the launch had been postponed until October 2011.
Shenzhou 8 was actually launched at 21:58 UTC on October 31, 2011 (November 1 in China) by a modified Long March 2F
Long March 2F
The Long March 2F , also known as the CZ-2F, LM-2F and Shenjian, is a Chinese manned orbital carrier rocket, part of the Long March rocket family. Designed to launch manned Shenzhou spacecraft, the Long March 2F is a man-rated two-stage version of the Long March 2E rocket, which in turn was based...
(CZ-2F) rocket. The launch lifted off from 921/SLS-1 Launch Pad at the Southern Launch Site of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a People's Republic of China space vehicle launch facility .The facility is part of Dongfeng Aerospace City , and is located in the Gobi desert, Ejin Banner , Alxa League , Inner Mongolia, situated about 1,600 km from Beijing.- History :It was founded in 1958,...
.
The unmanned Shenzhou 8 mission successfully docked with Tiangong-1 on 2 November 2011 GMT, marking China's first orbital docking. Shenzhou 8 undocked from Tiangong-1 on 14 November, before successfully completing a second rendezvous and docking, so as to test the reusability of the docking system.
Shenzhou 8 deorbited on 17 November 2011, and landed safely in Siziwang Banner
Siziwang Banner
Siziwang Banner is a banner in Inner Mongolia, China, which is located about north of Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia.-Administration:...
in Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, located in the northern region of the country. Inner Mongolia shares an international border with the countries of Mongolia and the Russian Federation...
.
Mission
Shenzhou 8 features an active APAS typeAndrogynous Peripheral Attach System
The Androgynous Peripheral Attach System, or Androgynous Peripheral Assembly System, is a spacecraft docking mechanism used on the International Space Station. It is used to dock the Space Shuttle orbiter and to connect the Functional Cargo Block to Pressurized Mating Adapter-1...
docking module in place of the usual orbital module, and performed its docking operation automatically under ground control. Docking took place on November 2nd at 1728 GMT, during orbital darkness to avoid interference from the Sun's glare with sensitive navigation and rendezvous equipment.
After 12 days being docked, Shenzhou 8 undocked and a second docking took place, this time in full sunlight. The separation, second rendezvous, and docking occurred on November 14th and was aimed to test accuracy and reliability of equipment and sensors in a bright environment. On November 17, the capsule will be autonomously de-orbited.
The mission will also feature a biological sample supplied by Germany and the European Space Agency
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
, which has been cited as an example of "international cooperation in the field of manned space" by Zhang Jianqi, deputy chief commander of China's manned space programme.