Editor’s note: Mengtian, Tiangong's second lab module now flying to join the two-module combination already about 400 km above Earth, is the last "building block" that allows Tiangong to form a T-shape structure, the planned layout at the space station's completion. The building of Tiangong into a national space laboratory with three modules marks a milestone in China's three-decade effort to advance its manned space program.
Peking University, November 4, 2022: China on Monday launched the space lab module Mengtian, taking the construction of the country's space station Tiangong into the final stage
PKU Alumnus Zhang Shujie in an interview with CCTV
Dr Zhang Shujie, Peking University College of Engineering (PKUCOE) alumnus and designer and engineer from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), served as commander for the first-class power systems in this mission. He was responsible for checking the power system tank replacement and inspecting air tightness following the vehicle’s transfer to the launch area.
The Long March-5B Y4 carrier rocket blasts off (Photo/Xinhua)
At 3:45 p.m. (Beijing Time), 8 minutes after its launch, Mengtian separated from its carrier rocket, the Long March-5B Y4, and entered its preset orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch a complete success.
Mengtian will now join the Tianhe core module, allowing the Tiangong space station to form a T-shape structure. The building of Tiangong into a national space laboratory with three modules marks a milestone in China’s three-decade-long effort to advance its manned space program.
About Zhang Shujie:
In 2014, alumnus Zhang Shujie matriculated to PKUCOE as the top student in his major. As a PhD candidate, he read fluid mechanics, specializing in aerospace propulsion under Professor Wang Jianping.
With a passion for scientific research, diligence in practice and bravery in innovation, he has achieved crucial results in continuous detonation engines experiments and numerical simulations and theories. His articles have been published in key scientific journals like the AIAA Journal. Previously, while at Peking University, he was involved in the Long March 5 Reset Mission and joined the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology in 2019.
Written by: Glenda Ho
Edited by: Li Wanqi
Source: Xinhua News Agency, College of Engineering
