China launches unmanned, auto-docking spacecraft

China isn’t wasting any time getting its space station ducks in a row. After launching the primary piece of the Tiangong (Heavenly Palace) in late September, the rustic has already put its first companion craft, Shenzhou-8, into orbit alongside it. The Shenzhou is another unmanned craft, jam-packed with a set of 17 biological experiments. The true fun though, will begin on day three of its mission, when it attempts an automatic docking with the Tiangong. Having the ability to send up unmanned supply vehicles has its obvious advantages, but here is just a test run — don’t expect self-piloting craft to begin ferrying food and replacement parts to the ISS any time soon. After 12 days of conjoined orbiting, the Shenzhou-8 will disengage from the Tiangong and head back to Earth. Hey, maybe our astronauts can avoid wasting cash by hiding inside the cargo hold of those Chinese robo-craft.

Source

This post is tagged: biological experiments, ducks in a row, late september, replacement parts, Space Station, supply vehicles, unmanned craft