Shenzhou (spacecraft)
Shenzhou is a Chinese spacecraft developed for the nation's crewed space program. Its design was based on Russia's Soyuz, but larger and modernized. Like Soyuz, Shenzhou is a single-use vehicle composed of three modules; a descent module which houses the crew during launch and reentry, an orbital module which provides additional living space and storage during orbit, but is jettisoned before reentry, and a service module responsible for propulsion and power, also discarded before reentry. For added safety and aerodynamics, the spacecraft is encased within a fairing and fitted with a launch escape system during liftoff.
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 神舟 is "the Divine vessel ", to which Heavenly River means the Milky Way in Classical Chinese. 神舟 is a pun and neologism that plays on the poetic word referring to China, 神州, 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 1968 with a projected launch date of 1973. Although China successfully launched an uncrewed satellite in 1970, its crewed spacecraft program was cancelled 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.| Mass | |
| Length | |
| Diameter | |
| Span |
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 is based on the Androgynous Peripheral Attach System.
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 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.
| Design life | 200 days |
| Length | |
| Diameter | |
| Span | |
| Habitable volume | |
| Mass | |
| RCS | 16 × |
| RCS propellant | Hydrazine |
| Electrical system | Solar panels, |
| Power | 0.50 kW |
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.| Crew capacity | 3 |
| Design life | 20 days |
| Length | |
| Diameter | |
| Habitable volume | |
| Mass | |
| Heat shield mass | |
| Lift-to-drag-ratio | 0.30 |
| RCS | 8 × |
| RCS propellant | Hydrazine |
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.| Design life | 20 days |
| Length | |
| Basic diameter | |
| Maximum diameter | |
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| Mass | |
| RCS | 8 × |
| RCS | 16 × |
| Main engine thrust | |
| Main engine specific impulse | |
| Propellant | /MMH |
| Propellant mass | |
| Electrical system | Solar panels, |
| Power | 1.50 kW |
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.Launch records
The records information is all from Gunter's space page. All times are in Coordinated Universal Time.| Number | Launch | Landing | Crew | Flight duration | Orbits | Launch vehicle | Launch location | Outcome |
| Shenzhou 1 | 19 November 1999, 22:30 | 20 November 1999, 19:41 | 21 hours, 11 minutes | 14 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 2 | 9 January 2001, 17:00 | 16 January 2001, 11:22 | 6 days, 18 hours, 22 minutes | 108 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 3 | 25 March 2002, 14:15 | 1 April 2002, 08:51 | 6 days, 18 hours, 51 minutes | 108 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 4 | 29 December 2002, 16:40 | 5 January 2003, 11:16 | 6 days, 18 hours, 36 minutes | 108 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 5 | 15 October 2003, 01:00 | 15 October 2003, 22:22 | Yang Liwei | 21 hours, 22 minutes, | 14 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | |
| Shenzhou 6 | 12 October 2005, 01:00 | 16 October 2005, 20:33 | 4 days, 19 hours, 33 minutes | 77 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 7 | 25 September 2008, 13:10 | 28 September 2008, 09:37 | 2 days, 20 hours, 27 minutes | 45 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 8 | 31 October 2011, 21:58 | 17 November 2011, 11:32 | 17 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes | 249 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 9 | 16 June 2012, 10:37 | 29 June 2012, 02:01 | 12 days, 15 hours, 24 minutes | 198 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 10 | 11 June 2013, 09:38 | 26 June 2013, 00:07 | 14 days, 14 hours, 29 minutes | 229 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 11 | 16 October 2016, 23:30 | 18 November 2016, 05:59 | 32 days, 6 hours, 29 minutes | 507 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 12 | 17 June 2021, 01:22 | 17 September 2021, 05:34 | 92 days, 4 hours, 11 minutes | 1,454 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 13 | 15 October 2021, 16:23 | 16 April 2022, 01:56 | 182 days, 9 hours, 32 minutes | 2,885 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 14 | 5 June 2022, 02:44 | 4 December 2022, 12:09 | 182 days, 9 hours, 25 minutes | 2,885 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 15 | 29 November 2022, 15:08 | 3 June 2023, 22:33 | 186 days, 7 hours, 25 minutes | 2,931 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 16 | 30 May 2023, 09:31 | 31 October 2023, 00:12 | 153 days, 22 hours, 41 minutes | 2,429 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 17 | 26 October 2023, 03:14 | 30 April 2024, 09:46 | 187 days, 6 hours, 32 minutes | 2,943 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 18 | 25 April 2024, 12:59 | 3 November 2024, 17:24 | 192 days, 4 hours, 25 minutes | 3,041 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 19 | 29 October 2024, 20:27 | 29 April 2025, 05:09 | 182 days, 8 hours, 42 minutes | 2,886 | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | ||
| Shenzhou 20 | 24 April 2025, 9:17 | 19 January 2026, 01:34 | 269 days, 16 hours, 16 minutes | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | |||
| Shenzhou 21 | 31 October 2025, 15:44 | 14 November 2025, 08:30 | 13 days, 16 hours, 55 minutes | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 | |||
| Shenzhou 22 | 25 November 2025, 04:11 | May 2026 | 165 days | Currently in orbit | Long March 2F/G | Jiuquan, LA-4 |
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.