Tiangong Space Station by China Manned Space Agency: status and timeline

Tiangong Space Station

Permanently crewed orbital station with three modules in T-shaped configuration. Platform for in-orbit assembly, tech demos and research with rotating three-person crews.

DeployStage 4 of 5

Permanently crewed; expansion to cross shape announced June 2026.

Updated 22 Jun 2026Checked 10 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · Cross-shape expansion announced

CMSA establishedJun 1993Complete.
Tianhe core module launchesApr 2021Complete.
Wentian lab 1 docks with TianheJul 2022Complete.
Mengtian lab 2 docks; T-shape complete31 Oct 2022Complete.
Permanent crewing establishedJun 2022Complete.
Cross-shape expansion announcedTarget 22 Jun 2026Current milestone.
ISS retirement; Tiangong sole crewed stationTarget 2030Not yet reached.

Most important updates

CMSA announces Tiangong cross-shape expansion22 Jun 2026
Tiangong reaches permanent crewing statusJun 2022
Tianhe core module launches; Tiangong assembly beginsApr 2021

Upcoming

22 Jun 2026Cross-shape expansion announced (next)
2030ISS retirement; Tiangong sole crewed station

Current obstacles

Closed-loop life supportSustaining oxygen generation, water recovery and CO2 removal for extended periods.
Crew health in microgravityMitigating bone loss, muscle atrophy, cardiovascular and cognitive effects on months-long missions.

Physics limits

Orbital altitude and drag~400 km altitude experiences residual atmosphere; periodic reboosts required to maintain orbit.
Launch mass constraintsLong March 5B lifts ~8,500 kg to LEO; each module limited in size, requiring in-orbit assembly.
Crew launch cadenceShenzhou launches every ~6 months; rescue vehicle must stay docked, limiting crew flexibility.

How it works

3 parts

Modular assembly

Orbital construction

Modules launch separately and dock in orbit, assembled into complete station by crews.

Crew rotation

Continuous occupancy

New crews launch every six months, overlapping with departing crews for knowledge transfer.

Robotic operations

Large manipulators

Primary and secondary robotic arms position modules, support EVA and reposition equipment.

Spec sheet

Spec	Tiangong Space Station
Tianhe core module length	16.6 m^R (reported)
Tianhe core diameter	4.2 m^R (reported)
Tianhe launch mass	22,500 kg^R (reported)
Wentian lab module length	17.9 m^R (reported)
Wentian launch mass	23,000 kg^R (reported)
Crew complement	3 persons^R (reported)
Max crew (handover)	6 persons^R (reported)
Robotic arm reach	10.2 m^R (reported)

^R reported by the company

Update log

3 updates

About China Manned Space Agency

The team behind Tiangong Space Station

China Manned Space Agency

Tiangong space station, crewed spaceflight

CMSA, founded 1993, oversees China's crewed spaceflight. Operates Tiangong, currently the only permanently crewed orbital station besides ISS and will be the sole operator after ISS retires in early 2031.

Tiangong: three modules (Tianhe core, Wentian and Mengtian labs) in T-shaped orbit.
Three-person crews rotate every six months; cross-shape expansion announced June 2026.
Will be sole crewed orbital outpost after ISS retires in early 2031; China's sole human presence.

Company profile →

Founded: 199333 yrs
Headquarters: China
Status: Public
Valuation: public
Works in: SpaceflightCrew & stations
Coverage: 2 programs · 6 updateslatest 22 Jun 2026checked 10 Oct
Partners: China National Space Administration
Suppliers: China Academy of Space Technology
People: Hao ChunDirectorLin XiqiangDeputy Director

Spec

Tiangong Space Station

Tianhe core module length

16.6 m^R (reported)

Tianhe core diameter

4.2 m^R (reported)

Tianhe launch mass

22,500 kg^R (reported)

Wentian lab module length

17.9 m^R (reported)

Wentian launch mass

23,000 kg^R (reported)

Crew complement

3 persons^R (reported)

Max crew (handover)

6 persons^R (reported)

Robotic arm reach

10.2 m^R (reported)

Tiangong Space Station

Milestones

Most important updates

Upcoming

Current obstacles

Physics limits

How it works

Orbital construction

Continuous occupancy

Large manipulators

Spec sheet

Update log

Mon 22 Jun

Jun 2022

Apr 2021

About China Manned Space Agency

Current obstacles

Physics limits

How it works

Orbital construction

Continuous occupancy

Large manipulators

Spec sheet

Update log

Mon 22 Jun

Jun 2022

Apr 2021

About China Manned Space Agency