China plans to welcome tourists on Tiangong space station

China is encouraging commercial space tourism. Accordingly, the Thien Cung space station can open its doors to space tourists within the next 10 years.

Yang Liwei, who made history in 2003 when he became China's first astronaut in space, told the media that those without formal astronaut training could soon visit the station. Thien Cung universe.

An illustration of a Chinese space station flying in Earth's orbit.

'This is not a matter of technology but of need. And it could happen within a decade as long as there is such a demand,' Yang said when asked if residents could tour the Tiangong station.

Mr. Yang was responding as a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), part of the annual Chinese political sessions taking place in Beijing.

Chu Jianping, chief designer of China's manned spacecraft program, said that the Shen crew spacecraft could be used for space tourism. The above statements show that China is looking to build a market for space tourism.

But first, China needs to complete the three-module T-shaped space station and put it into full operation. China plans to carry out six missions this year to complete the Tiangong space station.

The missions include launching two new modules, two cargo ships and two crew ships, Shenzhou 14 and Shenzhou 15. Each train will carry three astronauts, which means six astronauts. working on the space station at the same time for a short time.

The Shenzhou spacecraft, which is usually launched from the Jiuquan center in the Gobi Desert by rocket using a Long March 2F rocket, will not be the only option for sending tourists into space. China is working on a reusable rocket for space flights. This missile is capable of launching a new model of passenger ship with a larger size and can be partially reused. The new approach means multiple people can fly into space at the same time.

While the Shenzhou spacecraft can only carry three astronauts, the new vehicle is capable of carrying six to seven people, according to Huang Kewu, an expert at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

Several other companies are also developing space tourism. CAS Space, a company under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), aims to provide space flights for tourists as early as 2025.

Meanwhile, spaceflight company Space Transportation is developing a 'rocket with wings' for space tourism. The company aims to make its first suborbital flight in 2025, and orbital flights are expected around 2030.

Wu Ji, a researcher at CAS's National Center for Space Science, hopes Chinese companies can compete in the international space tourism market.

'Commercial programs can help reduce costs and improve the efficiency of space operations. That will also benefit traditional players in the field," Wu said.