In this screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese astronauts from left, Liu Yang, Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe salute after entering the space station core module Tianhe on Sunday, June 5, 2022. China on Sunday launched the new three-person mission to complete work on its permanent orbiting space station. (Li Xin / Xinhua via AP)
In this screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese astronauts from left, Liu Yang, Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe salute after entering the space station core module Tianhe on Sunday, June 5, 2022. China on Sunday launched the new three-person mission to complete work on its permanent orbiting space station. (Li Xin / Xinhua via AP)
The rocket carrying the Shenzhou-14 mission with three Chinese astronauts lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China’s Gansu Province on June 5, 2022. Photo: AFP / China OUT
The rocket carrying the Shenzhou-14 mission with three Chinese astronauts lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China’s Gansu Province on June 5, 2022. Photo: AFP / China OUT
Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe (L), Chen Dong (C) and Liu Yang pose during a ceremony prior to the launch at the Shenzhou-14 mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China’s Gansu Province on June 5, 2022. China launched a rocket carrying three astronauts on a mission to complete construction on its new space station, the latest milestone in Beijing's drive to become a major space power. Photo by AFP / China OUT
Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe (L), Chen Dong (C) and Liu Yang pose during a ceremony prior to the launch at the Shenzhou-14 mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China’s Gansu Province on June 5, 2022. China launched a rocket carrying three astronauts on a mission to complete construction on its new space station, the latest milestone in Beijing's drive to become a major space power. Photo by AFP / China OUT
The astronauts will complete the space station's construction and carry out 24 science experiments during their six-month stay on the Tiangong station. Photo: Li Gang / Xinhua via AP
The astronauts will complete the space station's construction and carry out 24 science experiments during their six-month stay on the Tiangong station. Photo: Li Gang / Xinhua via AP
The latest crew will complete the assembly and construction of Tiangong, expanding it from a single-module structure to a three-module national space laboratory. This will comprise of the Tianhe core module and two laboratory modules, Wentian and Mengtian. Photo: Li Gang / Xinhua via AP
The latest crew will complete the assembly and construction of Tiangong, expanding it from a single-module structure to a three-module national space laboratory. This will comprise of the Tianhe core module and two laboratory modules, Wentian and Mengtian. Photo: Li Gang / Xinhua via AP
During the crew’s first week on Tiangong, their job will be to enter the cargo spacecraft and transfer the supplies. Photo: CHINA OUT.
During the crew’s first week on Tiangong, their job will be to enter the cargo spacecraft and transfer the supplies. Photo: CHINA OUT.
The crew will also be carrying out 24 science experiments during their stay on Tiangong, including ones that will study the impact of weightlessness on the human body. Photo: Cai Yang / Xinhua via AP
The crew will also be carrying out 24 science experiments during their stay on Tiangong, including ones that will study the impact of weightlessness on the human body. Photo: Cai Yang / Xinhua via AP

UAE

Science

Astronauts arrive at China's Tiangong space station to complete construction

The crew of three will help transform Tiangong station into a national space laboratory

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir

June 07, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Three Chinese astronauts have embarked on a six-month mission to complete construction of the nation's Tiangong space station.

Astronauts Chen Dong, Liu Yang and Cai Xuhe entered the Tianhe core module on Sunday in a key phase in China's efforts to expand its presence in space.

The Shenzou-14 mission is the third crewed journey to the station.

Earlier, three astronauts also spent six months there, including Wang Yaping, the first Chinese woman to perform a spacewalk.

The latest crew will complete the assembly and construction of Tiangong, expanding it from a single-module structure to a three-module national space laboratory.

This will comprise the Tianhe core module and two laboratory modules, Wentian and Mengtian.

"We have already entered the core module, and the Wentian and Mengtian laboratory modules will arrive soon,” Ms Yang told Chinese news agency CCTV+.

“By then, we will have completed the construction of our own space station, our home in space."

Boosting living environment on space station

Two cargo spacecrafts, Tianzhou-3 and Tianzhou-4, were launched earlier on and docked with the station.

During the crew’s first week on Tiangong, their job will be to enter the cargo spacecraft and transfer the supplies.

Liu Weibo, research associate at the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre, said they will create a “normal working environment” after their arrival.

“They will have to take out daily necessities from the cargo ship, including food and water, as well as other consumables necessary to ensure a normal working environment, such as ventilation equipment and air filters,” he told CCTV+.

“These will need to be taken out of the cargo spacecraft and installed in their corresponding positions in the Tianhe core module, so that, the cargo spacecraft, Tianhe core module and Shenzhou spacecraft will be fully connected, forming a complex under comprehensive control."

Science experiments on the station

The crew will be carrying out 24 science experiments during their stay on Tiangong, including ones that will study the impact of weightlessness on the human body.

Li Yinghui, deputy chief designer of the astronaut system, said the experiments will also focus on space medicinal science.

"We've also added in-orbit collection of body fluids, including blood, urine and saliva, which is important to space medicinal science,” he said.

“The non-invasive optical measurement of muscle could be an important way to evaluate muscular atrophy.

“We can use the analysis of metabolites in urine directly in the evaluation of astronauts' health. These analytical techniques and methods can serve our health care.”

Rise of China’s space programme

China has ambitions to become a leading space power, with a thriving sector that includes human flights to its new space station in low-Earth orbit, planetary, lunar and deep-space exploration, a satellite navigation system and the continued development of its space transport system.

China’s space agency released white papers earlier this year that revealed the country’s space ambitions and progress made so far.

From 2016 to December 2021, the country completed 207 launch missions, including 183 by the Long March carrier rocket series.

China has already landed a spacecraft on the Moon and Mars.

In the next five years, China will integrate space science, technology and applications while pursuing the new development philosophy, building a new development model and meeting the requirements for high-quality development,” it said in the papers.

“It will start a new journey towards a space power.

“The space industry will contribute more to China's growth as a whole, to global consensus and common effort with regard to outer space exploration and utilisation, and to human progress.”

China's rover on Mars - in pictures

A photo of the landing platform with a Chinese national flag on it, taken on Mars by the rover Zhurong. EPA
A photo of the landing platform with a Chinese national flag on it, taken on Mars by the rover Zhurong. EPA
A photo of China's Mars rover Zhurong next to the landing platform with a Chinese national flag on it, taken by a remote camera on Mars. EPA
A photo of China's Mars rover Zhurong next to the landing platform with a Chinese national flag on it, taken by a remote camera on Mars. EPA
The Martian surface. EPA
The Martian surface. EPA
A composite image showing China's Zhurong rover and its of the landing platform and the Martian surface, taken by a high-resolution camera installed on the orbiter of China's Tianwen-1 Mars mission. EPA
A composite image showing China's Zhurong rover and its of the landing platform and the Martian surface, taken by a high-resolution camera installed on the orbiter of China's Tianwen-1 Mars mission. EPA
An image taken on Mars by Chinese rover Zhurong. Reuters
An image taken on Mars by Chinese rover Zhurong. Reuters
Chinese rover Zhurong drives down the ramp of the lander onto the surface of Mars, in this screenshot taken from a video released by China National Space Administration. Reuters
Chinese rover Zhurong drives down the ramp of the lander onto the surface of Mars, in this screenshot taken from a video released by China National Space Administration. Reuters
An image of the lander for China's Mars mission taken from video from its Zhurong rover released by China National Space Administration. Reuters
An image of the lander for China's Mars mission taken from video from its Zhurong rover released by China National Space Administration. Reuters
An image from Mars taken by the Chinese rover Zhurong and released by the China National Space Administration. Reuters
An image from Mars taken by the Chinese rover Zhurong and released by the China National Space Administration. Reuters
The Orwell Prize for Political Writing

Twelve books were longlisted for The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The non-fiction works cover various themes from education, gender bias, and the environment to surveillance and political power. Some of the books that made it to the non-fiction longlist include: 

  • Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
  • Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy
  • Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
  • Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims by Hussein Kesvani
  • Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS by Azadeh Moaveni
You might also like
While you're here
While you're here
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
While you're here
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Results

4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Emblem Storm, Oisin Murphy (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Wildman Jack, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill.

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Matterhorn, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.

7.30pm: Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Loxley, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.

'Of Love & War'
Lynsey Addario, Penguin Press

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20750hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20800Nm%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%207%20Speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20332kph%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012.2L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYear%20end%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1%2C430%2C000%20(coupe)%3B%20From%20Dh1%2C566%2C000%20(Spider)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

More coverage from the Future Forum
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)

Nancy Ajram

(In2Musica)

UAE currency
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Carzaty%2C%20now%20Kavak%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarzaty%20launched%20in%202018%2C%20Kavak%20in%20the%20GCC%20launched%20in%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20140%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Automotive%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarzaty%20raised%20%246m%20in%20equity%20and%20%244m%20in%20debt%3B%20Kavak%20plans%20%24130m%20investment%20in%20the%20GCC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:

 

 

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nag%20Ashwin%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrabhas%2C%20Saswata%20Chatterjee%2C%20Deepika%20Padukone%2C%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%2C%20Shobhana%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

What is a Ponzi scheme?

A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.

The Saudi Cup race card

1 The Jockey Club Local Handicap (TB) 1,800m (Dirt) $500,000

2 The Riyadh Dirt Sprint (TB) 1,200m (D) $1.500,000

3 The 1351 Turf Sprint 1,351m (Turf) $1,000,000

4 The Saudi Derby (TB) 1600m (D) $800,000

5 The Neom Turf Cup (TB) 2,100m (T) $1,000,000

6 The Obaiya Arabian Classic (PB) 2,000m (D) $1,900,000

7 The Red Sea Turf Handicap (TB) 3,000m (T) $2,500,000

8 The Saudi Cup (TB) 1,800m (D) $20,000,000

The biog:

From: Wimbledon, London, UK

Education: Medical doctor

Hobbies: Travelling, meeting new people and cultures 

Favourite animals: All of them 

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS

Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla

Verdict:  Three stars 

Gifts exchanged
  • King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
  • Queen Camilla -  Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
  • Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
  • Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
On Women's Day
THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Company profile

Name: GiftBag.ae

Based: Dubai

Founded: 2011

Number of employees: 4

Sector: E-commerce

Funding: Self-funded to date

While you're here
While you're here
While you're here
Rahul Gandhi in UAE:
The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

Anna and the Apocalypse

Director: John McPhail

Starring: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Mark Benton

Three stars

EA Sports FC 25
Updated: June 07, 2022, 9:49 AM
ChinaSpace