China's completed Tiangong space station. Photo: China Manned Space Agency
China's completed Tiangong space station. Photo: China Manned Space Agency
China's completed Tiangong space station. Photo: China Manned Space Agency
China's completed Tiangong space station. Photo: China Manned Space Agency

China releases first images of its completed Tiangong space station


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

China has released images of its completed space station for the first time.

The Chinese Manned Space Agency this week posted images on its website of the Tiangong space station, which orbits the planet at about 425km.

Astronauts have been living and working on the structure since 2021. Its construction was completed last year, but images have only been made public this week.

“Before the Shenzhou 16 crew returned to the ground, the astronauts held high-definition cameras as they flew around the spacecraft to photograph the space station assembly,” the Chinese space agency said.

“This was the first time in orbit that a full-scale image of the space station assembly, with the Earth as the background, was obtained, and it was the first to reflect the entire structure of the space station.”

Tiangong, which translates to “heavenly palace”, is about one fifth of the size of the International Space Station and can accommodate three astronauts, or six people during a short handover.

The Tiangong space station was pictured by Chinese astronauts before their return to Earth. Photo: CMSA
The Tiangong space station was pictured by Chinese astronauts before their return to Earth. Photo: CMSA

The station now includes the Tianhe core module and two laboratory modules including the Wentian and Mentian.

Five crewed flights have undertaken missions to the station under the Shenzhou programme, China's manned spaced programme.

China has previously said that it is open to hosting astronauts from other countries on the station.

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

China landed a spacecraft mission on the Moon in 2019 – the Chang'e-4 mission – the world's first to touchdown on the lunar far side.

The country's Zhurong Rover landed on Mars in 2021, where it captured several images of the planet's surface and science data. But it has not woken up from hibernation since 2022.

It also unveiled plans for a station on the Moon's surface, called the International Lunar Research Station.

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Omar Yabroudi's factfile

Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah

Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University

2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship

2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy

2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment

2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment

2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager

 

 

 

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

Company Profile

Name: JustClean

Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries

Launch year: 2016

Number of employees: 130

Sector: online laundry service

Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding

The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X

Price, as tested: Dh84,000

Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: Six-speed auto

Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km

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Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

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The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Under-21 European Championship Final

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Three trading apps to try

Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:

  • For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
  • If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
  • Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
The Bio

Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.

Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.

Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.

Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.

Updated: November 30, 2023, 3:53 PM