Shenzhou (spacecraft)
A Shenzhou spacecraft undergoing ground testing without solar panels | |
| Manufacturer | China Academy of Space Technology |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | China |
| Operator | China Manned Space Agency |
| Applications | Crewed spaceflight |
| Specifications | |
| Launch mass | 7,840 kg (17,280 lb) |
| Crew capacity | 3 |
| Dimensions | 9.25 m × 2.8 m (30.3 ft × 9.2 ft) |
| Volume | Habitable: 14 m3 (490 cu ft) |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Design life | Up to 183 days (docked at the Tiangong space station) |
| Production | |
| Status | In service |
| On order | 0 |
| Built | 19 |
| Launched | 19 |
| Operational | 1 |
| Maiden launch |
|
Shenzhou (Chinese: 神舟; pinyin: Shénzhōu, /ˈʃɛnˈdʒoʊ/; see § Etymology) 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.