China to Double Tiangong to 6 Modules, Add 2-Meter Xuntian Observatory
Updated
Updated · Space.com · Jun 26
China to Double Tiangong to 6 Modules, Add 2-Meter Xuntian Observatory
3 articles · Updated · Space.com · Jun 26
Summary
Tiangong will expand from three to six modules, lifting the Chinese space station's mass from 90 tons to 180 tons as Beijing scales up orbital research and operations.
A new 20-ton-class multifunctional module is set to launch first in the station upgrade, adding docking capacity to ease port bottlenecks as crewed and cargo missions become more frequent.
Xuntian, due in 2027, will orbit alongside Tiangong with a 2-meter mirror and a field of view about 300 times Hubble's, mapping roughly 40% of the sky over 10 years.
The observatory will be able to dock with Tiangong for maintenance, refueling and repairs, while China's upcoming Mengzhou spacecraft could raise crew capacity to seven astronauts from Shenzhou's three.
The expansion comes as NASA targets the ISS for deorbit in 2030 or 2031, potentially leaving China with the largest permanent crewed outpost in orbit.
As the ISS era ends, will China's expanded Tiangong become the world's new premier space laboratory?
How will China's new 7-person spacecraft and reusable rockets accelerate its ambitious goals in orbit and on the Moon?
Will China's powerful Xuntian telescope openly share its cosmic data, or will its discoveries remain exclusive?
Tiangong 180: China’s Space Station Expansion, Xuntian Telescope, and the New Era of Orbital Competition
Overview
China's Tiangong space station is set for major growth, doubling its current three-module structure to six modules and increasing its mass from 90 to 180 tons. This expansion will give Tiangong a unique double-T shape and boost its research capabilities with new multifunctional and experiment modules. The first step is launching a 20-ton-class module that will dock with the Tianhe core. These upgrades will transform Tiangong into a leading scientific hub in orbit, supporting more advanced experiments and marking a significant step in China's space ambitions.