Shenzhou (spacecraft)

Shenzhou

A Shenzhou spacecraft undergoing ground testing without solar panels
Manufacturer	China Academy of Space Technology
Country of origin	China
Operator	China Manned Space Agency
Applications	Crewed spaceflight
Specifications
Launch mass	8,100 kg (17,900 lb)[1]
Crew capacity	3
Dimensions	9.25 m × 2.8 m (30.3 ft × 9.2 ft)
Volume	Total: 14.8 m3 (520 cu ft)[1] Habitable: 7 m3 (250 cu ft)
Regime	Low Earth
Design life	Up to 183 days (docked at the Tiangong space station)
Production
Status	In service
On order	1
Built	18
Launched	18
Operational	1
Maiden launch	Uncrewed: 19 November 1999 (Shenzhou 1) Crewed: 15 October 2003 (Shenzhou 5)

Shenzhou (Chinese: 神舟; pinyin: Shénzhōu, /ˈʃɛnˈdʒoʊ/;^[2] see § Etymology) is a Chinese spacecraft developed for the nation's crewed space program. Its design was based on Russia's Soyuz, but larger and modernized, Shenzhou is a single-use vehicle composed of three modules. The descent module houses the crew during launch and reentry. The orbital module provides additional living space and storage during orbit but is jettisoned before reentry. The service module, responsible for propulsion and power, is also discarded prior to reentry. For added safety and aerodynamics, the spacecraft is encased within a fairing with a launch escape system during liftoff.

Its maiden uncrewed flight, Shenzhou 1, was on 19 November 1999, with the first crewed mission, Shenzhou 5, taking flight on 15 October 2003. It is slated for replacement by the next-generation Mengzhou, currently in development, with a two module configuration that resembles Western spacecraft like Apollo and Dragon.