SHANGHAI (XINHUA) – Space enthusiasts in Shanghai will have the chance to see a life-size model of China’s next-generation cargo craft Qingzhou, designed for future in-orbit supply delivery, during the upcoming Space Day celebrations.
Qingzhou, which means “Light Ship” in Chinese, has been designed to be smaller in size and lighter in weight, compared to the existing Tianzhou (Sky Ship) cargo craft.
Developed by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the new launch vehicle weighs about five tonnes and is capable of sending at least 1.8 tonnes of supplies into space. It features an internal volume of 27 cubic metres. It can accommodate up to 300 litres for cold-chain transportation, enabling taikonauts to enjoy more and fresher fruits and vegetables during their space journeys.
According to Qingzhou project’s commander Shu Rong, the spacecraft has been developed at a lower cost, thanks to numerous technological innovations and a more efficient launch process.
Apart from delivering supplies to China’s space station, Qingzhou will also provide commercial cargo services in the future, aiming to bring economic and social benefits, Shu said.
