Shenzhou (, ; see ) is a Chinese spacecraft developed for the China Manned Space Program. Its design was based on Russia's Soyuz, but larger and modernized. It has conducted 23 flights since 1999, including 17 crewed flights since 2005, the most recent being Shenzhou 23.
China unsuccessfully pursued the Shuguang crewed space program from 1967 to 1972. China signed a deal with Russia in 1995 to transfer Soyuz technology including life support, docking, and spacesuits. Like Soyuz, Shenzhou is a single-use vehicle composed of three modules; a descent module housing the crew during launch and reentry, an orbital module which provides additional living space and storage, and a service module for propulsion and power; the latter two are discarded before reentry. Its Chinese Docking Mechanism is derived from the joint Soviet-US Androgynous Peripheral Attach System. For added safety and aerodynamics, the spacecraft is encased within a fairing and fitted with a launch escape system during liftoff. All Shenzhou missions have launched on a Long March 2F variants from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in Gansu and landed near Dorbod Banner, in Inner Mongolia.
Two Shenzhou craft are typically docked to China's Tiangong modular space station, complemented by the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft. Shenzhou missions previously docked with the Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2 space stations. Its maiden uncrewed flight, Shenzhou 1, was on 19 November 1999, with the first crewed mission, Shenzhou 5, taking flight on 15 October 2003. It is slated for replacement by the next-generation Mengzhou, currently in development, with a two module configuration.
Etymology The literal meaning of the native name (pinyin: Shénzhōu) is "the Divine vessel [on the Heavenly River]", to which Heavenly River () means the Milky Way in Classical Chinese. is a pun and neologism that plays on the poetic word referring to China, , meaning Divine realm, which bears the same pronunciation. For further information, refer to Chinese theology, Chinese astronomy and names of China.
History
China's first efforts at human spaceflight started in 1967, with the Shuguang spacecraft design, projected to launch in 1973. Although China successfully launched an uncrewed satellite in 1970, the Shuguang was cancelled in 1972, and the entire program in 1980, due to a lack of funds.
The Chinese crewed spacecraft program was relaunched in 1992 with Project 921. The Phase One spacecraft followed the general layout of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, with three modules that could separate for reentry. China signed a deal with Russia in 1995 for the transfer of Soyuz technology, including life support and docking systems. The Phase One spacecraft was then modified with the new Russian technology. The general designer of Shenzhou-1 through Shenzhou-5 was Qi Faren (), and from Shenzhou-6 on, the general design was turned over to Zhang Bainan ().
The first uncrewed flight of the spacecraft was launched on 19 November 1999, after which Project 921/1 was renamed Shenzhou, a name chosen by then Chinese president Jiang Zemin. A series of three additional uncrewed flights were carried out. The first crewed launch took place on 15 October 2003 with the Shenzhou 5 mission. The spacecraft has since become the mainstay of the Chinese crewed space program, being used for both crewed and uncrewed missions.
Design Shenzhou consists of three modules: a forward orbital module (), a reentry module () in the middle, and an aft service module (). This division is based on the principle of minimizing the amount of material to be returned to Earth. Anything placed in the orbital or service modules does not require heat shielding, increasing the space available in the spacecraft without increasing weight as much as it would if those modules were also able to withstand reentry. +Complete spacecraftMassLengthDiameterSpan
Orbital module The orbital module () contains space for experiments, crew-serviced or crew-operated equipment, and in-orbit habitation. Without docking systems, Shenzhou 1–6 carried different kinds of payload on the top of their orbital modules for scientific experiments.
The Chinese spacecraft docking mechanism (beginning with Shenzhou 8) is based on the Androgynous Peripheral Attach System (APAS).
Up until Shenzhou 8, the orbital module of the Shenzhou was equipped with its own propulsion, solar power, and control systems, allowing autonomous flight. It is possible for Shenzhou to leave an orbital module in orbit for redocking with a later spacecraft, a capability which Soyuz does not possess, since the only hatch between the orbital and reentry modules is a part of the reentry module, and orbital module is depressurized after separation. For future missions, the orbital module(s) could also be left behind on the planned Chinese project 921/2 space station as additional station modules.
In the uncrewed test flights launched, the orbital module of each Shenzhou was left functioning on orbit for several days after the reentry modules return, and the Shenzhou 5 orbital module continued to operate for six months after launch. +Orbital ModuleDesign life200 daysLengthDiameterSpanHabitable volumeMassRCS (coarse)16 × RCS propellantHydrazineElectrical systemSolar panels, Power0.50 kW (avg.)
Reentry module
The reentry module () is located in the middle section of the spacecraft and contains seating for the crew. It is the only portion of Shenzhou which returns to Earth's surface. Its shape is a compromise between maximizing living space and allowing for some aerodynamic control upon reentry. +Reentry ModuleCrew capacity3Design life20 days (original)LengthDiameterHabitable volumeMassHeat shield massLift-to-drag-ratio0.30 (hypersonic)RCS (coarse)8 × RCS propellantHydrazine
Service module
The aft service module () contains life support and other equipment required for the functioning of Shenzhou. Two pairs of solar panels, one pair on the service module and the other pair on the orbital module, have a total area of over , indicating average electrical power over 1.5 kW (Soyuz have 1.0 kW). +Service ModuleDesign life20 days (original)LengthBasic diameterMaximum diameterSpanMassRCS (coarse)8 × RCS (coarse)16 × Main engine thrustMain enginespecific impulsePropellant/MMHPropellant massElectrical systemSolar panels, Power1.50 kW (avg.)
Comparison with Soyuz Although the Shenzhou spacecraft follows the same layout as the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, it is approximately 10% larger and heavier than Soyuz. It also has a bigger cylindrical orbital module and four propulsion engines. There is enough room to carry an inflatable raft in case of a splashdown, whereas Soyuz cosmonauts must jump into the water and swim. The commander sits in the center seat on both spacecraft. However, the pilot sits in the left seat on Shenzhou and the right seat on Soyuz.
List of flights List includes only completed or currently manifested missions. Dates are listed in UTC, and for future events, they are the earliest possible opportunities (also known as dates) and may change. Unless noted otherwise, information is from Gunter's Space Page.
NumberLaunchLandingCrewFlight durationOrbitsLaunch vehicleLaunch locationOutcomeChinaShenzhou 119 November 1999, 22:3020 November 1999, 19:4121 hours, 11 minutes14Long March 2FJiuquan, Shenzhou 29 January 2001, 17:0016 January 2001, 11:226 days, 18 hours, 22 minutes108Long March 2FJiuquan, Shenzhou 325 March 2002, 14:151 April 2002, 08:516 days, 18 hours, 51 minutes108Long March 2FJiuquan, Shenzhou 429 December 2002, 16:405 January 2003, 11:166 days, 18 hours, 36 minutes108Long March 2FJiuquan, Shenzhou 515 October 2003, 01:0015 October 2003, 22:22Yang Liwei21 hours, 22 minutes,14Long March 2FJiuquan, Shenzhou 612 October 2005, 01:0016 October 2005, 20:334 days, 19 hours, 33 minutes77Long March 2FJiuquan, Shenzhou 725 September 2008, 13:1028 September 2008, 09:372 days, 20 hours, 27 minutes45Long March 2FJiuquan, Shenzhou 831 October 2011, 21:5817 November 2011, 11:3217 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes249Long March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 916 June 2012, 10:3729 June 2012, 02:0112 days, 15 hours, 24 minutes198Long March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 1011 June 2013, 09:3826 June 2013, 00:0714 days, 14 hours, 29 minutes229Long March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 1116 October 2016, 23:3018 November 2016, 05:5932 days, 6 hours, 29 minutes507Long March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 1217 June 2021, 01:2217 September 2021, 05:3492 days, 4 hours, 11 minutes1,454Long March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 1315 October 2021, 16:23 16 April 2022, 01:56 182 days, 9 hours, 32 minutes2,885Long March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 145 June 2022, 02:444 December 2022, 12:09 182 days, 9 hours, 25 minutes 2,885Long March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 1529 November 2022, 15:083 June 2023, 22:33186 days, 7 hours, 25 minutes 2,931Long March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 1630 May 2023, 09:3131 October 2023, 00:12 153 days, 22 hours, 41 minutes2,429 Long March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 1726 October 2023, 03:1430 April 2024, 09:46 187 days, 6 hours, 32 minutes2,943 Long March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 1825 April 2024, 12:593 November 2024, 17:24 192 days, 4 hours, 25 minutes3,041Long March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 1929 October 2024, 20:2729 April 2025, 05:09182 days, 8 hours, 42 minutes2,886Long March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 2024 April 2025, 9:1719 January 2026, 01:34269 days, 16 hours, 16 minutesLong March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 2131 October 2025, 15:4414 November 2025, 08:3013 days, 16 hours, 55 minutesLong March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 2225 November 2025, 04:1129 May 2026, 12:11185 days, 7 hours, 59 minutesLong March 2F/GJiuquan, Shenzhou 2324 May 2026, 15:08November 2026 (planned)Launch: Zhu Yangzhu Zhang Zhiyuan Lai Ka-yingOngoingLong March 2F/GJiuquan, In popular culture The Shenzhou was prominently featured in the film Gravity and was used by the main character, STS-157 Mission Specialist Dr. Ryan Stone, to safely return home after the destruction of her spacecraft. In Star Trek: Discovery, the Walker class starship USS Shenzhou is named after this spacecraft. Shenzhou is also a flight that is flying from Gansu, China. See also
863 Program Beihang University Mengzhou Harbin Institute of Technology Long March (rocket family) Names of China Shuguang Tiangong program List of human spaceflights to the Tiangong space station
Notes
References
Further reading
External links Flickr: Photos tagged with shenzhou, photos likely relating to Shenzhou spacecraft