The Mengtian lab module， the Tianhe core module and the Wentian lab module—the three modules have formed a T-shaped complex at the space station by the end of 2022.

2022年底，梦天实验舱、天和核心舱、问天实验舱，三个舱段已完成中国空间站的“T字构型”建造任务。

About the Newcomer

Mengtian means “Dreaming of the Heavens”. The module weighs more than 20 tonnes. Its 17.88 meters long and has a maximum diameter of 4.2 meters. It can be further subdivided into work， resource， payload and cargo airlock modules.

Its only function is to conduct scientific experiments， so unlike the Tianhe core module and the Wentian lab module， it doesnt have a sleeping cabin. Instead， its full of cabinets that can satisfy hundreds of experiments.

Specifically， the module is designed for microgravity research. Its equipped with multi-disciplinary laboratory cabinets for experiments of fluid physics， materials and combustion science， basic physics and aerospace technology.

关于梦天

梦天表达了人们对太空探索的向往。梦天实验舱的重量超过20吨，长17.88米，最大直径4.2米。它可以细分为工作舱、资源舱、载荷舱和货物气闸舱。

与天和核心舱和问天实验舱不同，梦天实验舱的唯一功能就是进行科学实验，所以它没有设置睡眠舱。但是，舱内有很多实验柜，能开展数百种科学实验。

具体来说，梦天实验舱主要用于微重力研究。它配备了多学科实验柜，用来进行流体物理、材料与燃烧科学、基础物理和航空航天技术相关实验。

Future Plans

China plans to launch its first flagship telescope， Xuntian， which means “Survey the Heavens”， at the end of 2023. Its a space-based optical observatory for astronomers to carry out celestial surveys and capture maps and images. Its operations will begin in 2024.

Chinas space program has entered a new decade-long development and application stage. The initial plan is to send two crewed and two cargo crafts into space every year.

Meanwhile， astronauts will stay in orbit for extended periods to maintain the station and carry out scientific and technological experiments.

China will also develop next-generation carrier rockets and crewed spaceships to significantly enhance its space programs overall technological capabilities.

China has expressed on many occasions that it welcomes international cooperation and foreign astronauts to conduct research aboard its space station. So， lets expect to unravel more mysteries of the universe at Chinas space station.

未来计划

中国计划在2023年底发射首个旗舰望远镜“巡天”。巡天是一个天基光学天文台，供天文学家进行天体勘测，以及捕捉地图和图像。巡天将于2024年开始运行。

中国航天事业已进入一个新的十年发展和应用阶段。初步计划是每年向太空发射两艘载人飞船和两艘货运飞船。

与此同时，宇航员将延长在轨道停留时间，以进行空间站的维护和科学技术实验。

中国还将研发下一代运载火箭和载人飞船，以显著提高中国航天的整体技术水平。

中国曾多次表示，欢迎国际合作，欢迎外国宇航员到中国空间站进行研究。因此，让我们期待在中国空間站揭开更多的宇宙奥秘。

Word Bank

conduct /k?n'd?kt/ v. 执行；实施

I decided to conduct an experiment.

launch /l??nt?/ v. 发射；发起（有组织的活动）

unravel /?n'r?vl/ v. 揭开；阐释

The discovery will help scientists unravel the mystery of the Ice Age.