The three astronauts in Shenzhou 9 will conduct a historic manual docking with the Tiangong-1 space module.The docked spacecraft carried out their first repositioning four days ago, with, Tiangong-1 controlling the unit. The two spacecraft will separate and then stop 400-meters apart. They will then begin approaching each other automatically.

When they are 140 meters apart, the manual docking will begin. Then, they will stop again 30-meters apart before coming into contact.

From this screen we can see, the astronaunts practicing manual docking at the training center. It demands high accuracy since the two vehicles will be traveling at 7.8 kilometers per second. Only after intensive training, can the astronauts manage the task. Both automatic docking and manual docking are crucial to the entire mission. Should any accident occur in automatic docking, the astronauts can handle emergencies manually.

Manual dockings have been life-savers in past international missions. When Apollo 13’s automatic controls malfunctioned, its crew applied the

manual controls and rescued the spacecraft. After the manual docking, the astronauts will stay inside the complex for another six days before they return to the Earth.

The manual docking will represent an important milestone on the Chinese path to establishing a Space Station towards the end of the decade.

Now let’s see what China’s future space station will look like. It consists of a Core Module which provides life support and living quarters for three crew members, and provides guidance, navigation, altitude control and propulsion.

A nodule connects different parts of the station; And two Experimental Modules will provide a pressurized environment for researchers to conduct science experiments in microgravity or Zero-gravity environment. The future Chinese space station will be served by a freight spaceship and a Shenzhou manned spaceship.Hopefully everything goes smoothly.

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