How does the Wentian solar panel work?

With this measure, the Wentian's huge solar panel can face the sun with the most optimized direction at any moment. This ensures the sufficient power supply for the whole space station. The Wentian comes also equipped with the main airlock of the Tiangong space station.

How strong are Wentian solar panels?

The solar arrays on Wentian are equipped with flexible triple-junction gallium arsenide-based solar cells and can supply power to the average family for about a month and a half — making them about two times stronger than those of the core module.

When will the Wentian module of China Space Station go into orbit?

The Wentian experiment module of the China space station has just gone into orbit. The Innovation 3(5), 100291. Today, July 24, 2022, the Wentian module of the China space station (CSS) has been successfully launched into orbit. In a few days, it will dock with the Tianhe core module, which was previously launched last year in April.

How big is Wentian's solar wing?

Wentian's solar wing is two times larger than that of the core module Tianhe. Only four of such solar wings can generate 80 percent of the power for the combination of the core module and two lab modules. There are wrist-like units designed to help rotate Wentian's two 27-meter-long wings by 360 degrees to face the sunlight in unblocked positions.

How big is Wentian's solar array?

The CMSA on Aug 15 provided technical details of huge solar arrays on the space experiment platform, with multiple cabinets and more than 40 approved research projects. Wentian has a solar wingspan of over 55 meters.

Is Wentian a single-module spacecraft?

Wentian is also heavier than any other single-module spacecraft with flight function that remains in active service, including those deployed in the International Space Station, according to the CASC. The working cabin of Wentian is by far China's largest singular-sealed cabin, including three sleeping areas and one sanitary area.