China needs to start developing nuclear thermal propulsion if they haven't long been working on it already. It's great for after you get off the Earth. Great flow rate for fuel mass but dangerous while it's getting boosted into orbit if nothing more than radioactive material itself.
China's Space Program News Thread
- Thread starter crazyinsane105
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by78
General
That looks like an attachment point for a robotic arm used to assemble the space station. Basically a short arm that manipulates the modules into the correct positions so they can be attached to the central node. Here's of a Soviet equivalent that was used to assemble the Mir.
Very interesting I thought the lab modules simply came and docked to their respective ports, What's stopping them from doing that it's autonomous after all are the Chinese following Mir's method because it's proven and want to reduce risk?
by78
General
Much safer, simpler, and cheaper to use a robotic arm. An automatic docking system for each module is an unneeded complexity and expense, not to mention riskier compared to a simpler robotic arm. The weight of autonomous docking systems – although not much – can be used for other more important things. Also, autonomous docking burns up fuel that can be better used to maintain the station's orbit.
antiterror13
Brigadier
Just curious whether it can be disable (easily) by a laser or missile ? ... same case with ISS
It is in LEO so it is pretty susceptible to damage by both kinetic interceptors and lasers. Damage wise lasers can not only blind passengers/sensors, but prolonged exposure to high energy laser could actually heat/detonate fuel carried by satellites/space stations, causing the spacecraft to break apart.
antiterror13
Brigadier
And it would be an act of war, I suppose
China is part of this convention. If there is damage because of this debris, the chinese government will pay for it. As simple as that.
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