Tiangong
China plans to add three modules to its Tiangong space station, doubling its size, as Nasa prepares to retire the International Space Station in early 2031. State broadcaster CCTV reports that Tiangong will first receive a fourth multifunctional module attached to the Tianhe core, forming a cross-shaped configuration. The expansion will create a six-module structure with a total mass of about 180 tonnes, though no timeline has been released.
Iniulat ng AI
An unpiloted Shenzhou 22 spacecraft launched from China on Monday, docking with the Tiangong space station to provide a safe return vehicle for three astronauts left without one due to damage on another craft. The rapid response followed the discovery of a cracked window on Shenzhou 20, likely caused by space debris. This marks China's first use of its emergency human spaceflight contingency plan.