[FPSPACE] Tiangong operations

[E.P. Grondine]

Hi Jim - 

You'd be better off figuring out mission length from mass constraints.

Let's assume that what I've called TG2 (the mini-lab) has two docks. (No Reaction Control System on the TG2; and TG2, the docking target, would be the first launch, then what I've called TG1, the modified SZ which leaves the core with solar panels, would be launched.)

If TG2 has 2 docks, then a TG3 copy could be added to the core and there would still be 2 docks available for operations. But would China do that? I don't know if it's really necessary. They run on a tight budget.

TG1 will have demonstrated autodocking, so then whatever the mass of a SZ variant with no return capsule would give you a payload for a freighter, and thus mission length. Think of a SZ derived Progress type freighter. 

One of the issues is the announced 8 SZ missions in a 4 year period, which Chen Lan mentioned. Perhaps this is one manned capsule, one unmanned freighter per year, one mission per year 2011-2014, until the Chinese station core, with fuel transfer capabilitites, is put up with CZ5 in 2015. While the lab has a new name, perhaps the freighters do not, at least not yet.

The problem is the new names, which I'm sure are confusing everyone ,and will continue to confuse until we get new statements on Step 2. Perhaps one way to think of the step would be in terms of the Gemini Agena docks, but with transfer docks and a lab and autodocking.

As there's 1.3 billion Chinese, they're going to have some brilliant aerospace engineering talent to use for this next step.

E.P. Grondine
Man and Impact in the Americas

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