Shenzhou 8
OperatorChina Manned Space Agency
Orbits completed249
ManufacturerChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Launch date31 October 2011, 21:58:10 UTC
Launch rocketLong March 2F/G (Y8)
Launch siteJiuquan, LA-4/SLS-1
Launch contractorChina Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
Landing date17 November 2011, 11:32 UTC
Landing siteSiziwang Banner, Inner Mongolia (42.239°N 111.298°E)
Orbit referenceGeocentric orbit
Orbit regimeLow Earth orbit
Orbit periapsis330 km (210 mi)
Orbit apoapsis343 km (213 mi)[1]
Orbit inclination51.37°
Apsisgee
ProgrammeShenzhou program
Previous missionShenzhou 7
Next missionShenzhou 9
Shenzhou 8
Docking targetTiangong-1
dock2 November 2011, 17:30 UTC[1]
Undocking date14 November 2011, 11:27 UTC[1]
Shenzhou 8
Docking targetTiangong-1
dock14 November 2011, 11:53 UTC[1]
Undocking date16 November 2011, 10:30 UTC[1]
Shenzhou 8
Showflagstp
C神舟八号
PShénzhōu Bāhào
Mi/shen2zhou1-ba1hao4/
WShenchao pahao
JSan4zau1 baat3hou6
YShenjou bahau
Cisɐ̏ntsɐ̄u pāːthɐ̀u
GrShernjou bahaw

Shenzhou 8 (Chinese: 神舟八号) was an uncrewed flight of China's Shenzhou program,[2] launched on 31 October 2011 UTC, or 1 November 2011 in China, by a Long March 2F/G rocket, an improved version of the 2F making its maiden flight, which lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.[3]

The Shenzhou 8 spacecraft was automatically docked with the Tiangong-1 space module (launched on 29 September 2011) on 3 November 2011 and again on 14 November 2011.[4] This uncrewed docking – China's first – was followed in 2012 with the crewed Shenzhou 9 mission, which performed a crewed docking (also China's first) with the Tiangong-1 module.[2][5] Only the Soviet Union (Russia), Japan[6] and the European Space Agency (ESA) had achieved automatic rendezvous and docking prior to China's accomplishment.

History

On 29 September 2008, Zhang Jianqi (张建启), vice director of China crewed space engineering, announced in an interview of China Central Television (CCTV)[7] that Tiangong-1, an 8-ton "target vehicle", would be launched in 2010 (now 2011), and that Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10 were all intended to dock with it. On 1 October 2008, Shanghai Space Administration, which participated in the development of Shenzhou 8, stated that they have succeeded in the simulated experiments for the docking of Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou 8.[8]

In February 2009, the launch of Shenzhou 8 was planned for early 2011.[9] By March 2011, the launch had been postponed until in October 2011.[2]

Shenzhou 8 was launched at 21:58 UTC on 31 October 2011 (UTC) (1 November in China) by a Long March 2F rocket. The launch lifted off from 921/SLS-1 Launch Pad at the Southern Launch Site of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.[3] The uncrewed Shenzhou 8 mission successfully docked with Tiangong-1 on 2 November 2011 (UTC), marking China's first orbital docking.[10] Shenzhou 8 undocked from Tiangong-1 on 14 November 2011, before successfully completing a second rendezvous and docking, so as to test the reusability of the docking system.[11][12][13] Shenzhou 8 deorbited on 17 November 2011, and landed safely in Siziwang Banner in Inner Mongolia.[14]

Mission

Shenzhou 8 features an active APAS-like docking module in place of the usual orbital module, and performed its docking operation automatically under ground control.[15] Docking took place on 2 November 2011 at 17:28 UTC, during orbital darkness to avoid interference from the Sun's glare with sensitive navigation and rendezvous equipment.[16] After 12 days being docked, Shenzhou 8 undocked and a second docking took place, this time in full sunlight.[17] The separation, second rendezvous, and docking occurred on 14 November 2011 and was aimed to test accuracy and reliability of equipment and sensors in a bright environment.[18] On 17 November 2011, the capsule was autonomously de-orbited.[3]

The mission also featured a biological sample supplied by Germany and the European Space Agency (ESA), which was cited as an example of "international cooperation in the field of manned space" by Zhang Jianqi, deputy chief commander of the China Manned Space Program.[19]

Spacecraft design

According to Zhang Bainan, the chief designer of China's spacecraft systems, Shenzhou 8 was the last to see significant modifications from previous models. Future flights will use the same spacecraft design, which is intended for production of multiple units of the same design.[20][21]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mission Docking: Behind the Scenes". Go Taikonauts!. No. 3. January 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  2. ^ David, Leonard (2011-03-07). "China Details Ambitious Space Station Goals". Space.com. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  3. ^ Barbosa, Rui C. (2011-10-31). "China successfully launches Shenzhou-8 via Long March 2F". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  4. ^ Wall, Mike (2011-11-02). "China Succeeds in First Space Docking by 2 Spaceships". Space.com. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  5. ^ Clark, Stephen (2011-05-12). "Docking, extended space missions up next for China". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2011-05-13.
  6. ^ ETS-VII
  7. ^ "我国将于2010年-2011年发射小型空间站" [China will launch a small space station in 2010–2011] (in Chinese). Sina News. 2008-09-29. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  8. ^ "神八空间模拟对接初步成功" [Simulated docking of Shenzhou 8 has succeeded] (in Chinese). Sina News. 2008-10-01. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  9. ^ "China plans to launch space station in 2010". France 24. Agence France-Presse. 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  10. ^ Amos, Jonathan (2011-11-02). "Chinese spacecraft dock in orbit". BBC News. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  11. ^ Mo, Hong'e (ed.) (7 November 2011). "2nd docking of Tiangong-1 & Shenzhou-8 on schedule". Xinhua News Agency. CNTV. Archived 2011-11-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  12. ^ Wang, Guanqun (ed.) (14 November 2011). "Chinese spacecraft Shenzhou-8 disengages from space lab module Tiangong-1". Xinhua News Agency. Archived 2011-11-17 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  13. ^ "China completes second space docking". Space Daily. Agence France-Presse. 2011-11-14. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  14. ^ Bodeen, Christopher (18 November 2011). "Shenzhou 8 Docking Mission Major Step To Space Station, China Says". The Huffington Post. Archived 2011-11-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  15. ^ Clark, Stephen (2011-11-02). "Chinese docking system based on Russian design". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  16. ^ Clark, Stephen (2011-11-02). "Successful docking catapults China into elite space club". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  17. ^ Clark, Stephen (2011-11-14). "Shenzhou 8 aces second docking test in sunlight". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  18. ^ "Second Tiangong-1 And Shenzhou-8 docking to face light interference". Space Daily. Xinhua News Agency. 2011-11-11. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  19. ^ "China's Shenzhou-8 Spacecraft To Carry Bio Sample For ESA". Space Daily. Xinhua News Agency. 2009-03-09. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
  20. ^ "Shenzhou-8 to be fixed version of China-made space vessels: expert". People's Daily. Xinhua News Agency. 2005-10-13. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
  21. ^ Covault, Craig (2009-03-02). "China readies military space station – launch coincides with shuttle phaseout". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2010-12-10.