09 June 2021
Both the Tianhe core module and the Tianzhou cargo craft are equipped with independent power supply systems. After docking, the two systems can form a connected energy system and achieve mutual transmission of electric power. 3 sets of lithium ion batteries power the entire Tianzhou 2 cargo craft when the combination enters the shadow areas. The solar panels work again after it moves into the sunlight, and continue supplying power and charging. Tianhe is powered by 3rd-generation flexible GaAs (gallium arsenide) solar panels, which provide high power output, are light, small when folded, have long in-orbit life, and can be repeatedly folded and unfolded.
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11 June 2021
China sent on board the CZ-2D rocket the 4 satellites: Beijing 3 (BJ-3), HISEA-2 (HS-2), Yangwang 1 (YW-1) and Tianjian (TJ) into the planned orbits from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in northern Shanxi Province on 11 June. The rocket took off at 11:03 BJT. Developed by China Spacesat Co., Ltd., the commercial remote-sensing satellite BJ-3 can provide services in the fields of resources survey, city management, environmental monitoring and disaster relief. The HS-2 satellite will be used by Xiamen University to study the ecological environment of the near shore and shallow sea. The YW-1 satellite will be used by Shenzhen-based Origin Space Technology Co., Ltd. for asteroid resource exploration and research. The TJ satellite will be used by universities for teaching and training on in-orbit services.
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11 June 2021
On 11 June, CNSA released new images taken by the Mars rover Zhurong and a drop-off camera. The images include the landing site panorama, Martian landscape and a 'group photo' of the rover with the landing platform. The images were unveiled at a ceremony in Beijing. The 'group photo' of Zhurong and the landing platform was created by a small camera, which was originally attached to the rover's bottom and then placed on the Martian soil when the rover travelled about 10 m to the south of its landing platform.
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12 June 2021
During a press briefing on 12 June, Xu Hongliang, CNSA's spokesperson said at a press briefing in Beijing that China plans to carry out a NEO sample return mission combined with a main-belt comet exploration around 2025. The Mars sample return mission will be carried out by around 2030. Also, in the recent days CNSA has been cooperating with NASA and ESA regarding the Mars mission data exchange, to ensure the safety of the Tianwen 1 on-orbit satellite, said Xu. Additionally, he mentioned the international cooperation involved in the Tianwen 1 mission.
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