CSS Tianhe: Core Module of China's Space Station
CSS Tianhe is the core module of China's Tiangong space station, which serves as the primary living quarters and control centre for the station. Launched on 29 April 2021 aboard a Long March 5B rocket, Tianhe marked the beginning of China's ambitious space station programme.
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What is CSS Tianhe?
CSS Tianhe is the core module of China's Tiangong space station, which serves as the primary living quarters and control centre for the station. Launched on 29 April 2021 aboard a Long March 5B rocket, Tianhe marked the beginning of China's ambitious space station programme. The module is equipped with life support and control systems, as well as docking ports for additional modules and visiting spacecraft.
Mission and Purpose
The mission of CSS Tianhe is to support long-term human habitation and scientific research in low Earth orbit. It provides essential infrastructure for crewed missions, including power, propulsion, and environmental control. Tianhe is designed to host three astronauts for missions lasting up to six months. The module is central to China's efforts to establish a permanent human presence in space and to conduct experiments in microgravity across various scientific disciplines.
Orbital Characteristics
CSS Tianhe orbits Earth at an altitude of approximately 390 kilometres with an inclination of 41.5 degrees. This orbit allows the station to be accessible from various launch sites and provides optimal conditions for scientific observations. The module completes an orbit around Earth roughly every 92 minutes. As of the latest data, Tianhe's NORAD ID is 48274.
Significance and Legacy
CSS Tianhe represents a significant milestone in China's space exploration efforts. It is the foundation of the Tiangong space station, which is intended to be fully operational by the mid-2020s. The station is a testament to China's growing capabilities in space technology and international collaboration, as it is open to scientific partnerships with other countries. Tianhe's successful deployment and operation underscore China's commitment to becoming a major player in human spaceflight.
Current Status
As of now, the CSS Tianhe module is fully operational and continues to support crewed missions. The station has hosted multiple astronaut crews since its launch, and additional modules are planned to be added to expand its capabilities. The module's status and visible passes can be checked on Orbital Radar's satellite library and pass predictor.
📎 Cite this article · data available
Orbital Radar Newsroom. (2026). CSS Tianhe: Core Module of China's Space Station. Orbital Radar. https://orbitalradar.com/blog/css-tianhe-core-module"CSS Tianhe: Core Module of China's Space Station." Orbital Radar, 4 October 2026, https://orbitalradar.com/blog/css-tianhe-core-module.@misc{orbitalradar_css_tianhe_core_module,
title = {CSS Tianhe: Core Module of China's Space Station},
author = {{Orbital Radar}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://orbitalradar.com/blog/css-tianhe-core-module}}
}
