The launch sequence and date is updated as follow:
CSS is constructed in three phases. Phase one is with Tianhe core module only and SZ-12, SZ-13 manned mission for testing. Phase two complete the CSS construction by installing the Wentian and Mengtian space lab. In phase three CSS construction is completed and become operational.
Phase one - Testing
- Tianhe core module launch
- TZ-2 will be launched and rendezvous at the back.
- SZ-12 will be launched and rendezvous at the front. SZ-12 is a three month manned mission.
- TZ-2 will perform a manual rendezvous controlled by SZ-12 crew.
- SZ-12 will return with crew.
- TZ-2 will switch to front rendevzous.
- TZ-3 will be launched and rendezvous at the back.
- Robotic arm test using TZ-12.
- SZ-13 will be launched and rendezvous at the bottom. SZ-13 is a six month manned mission, this is the length of one normal shift onboard CSS.
- TZ-2 will leave for re-entry.
- SZ-13 will return with crew, concluding phase one.
Phase two - Install Space Labs
- TZ-3 will switch to front rendezvous.
- TZ-4 will be launched and rendezvous at the back.
- SZ-14 will be launched and rendezvous at the bottom. SZ-14 should start the first shift onboard CSS.
- TZ-3 will leave for re-entry.
- Wentian space lab will be launched and rendezvous at the front.
- TZ-4 will leave for re-entry, TZ-5 will be launched and rendezvous at the back.
- Robotic arm transfer Wentian lab module to the right side.
- Mengtian space lab will be launched and rendezvous at the front.
- Robotic arm transfer Mengtian lab module to the left side.
- SZ-15 will be launched and rendezvous at the front. Both SZ-14 and SZ-15 will be docked for 10 days. During this period there will be up to six crew onboard CSS, performing the shift rotation.
- SZ-14 will return with three crew, leaving three crew from SZ-15 onboard as the second shift. Sometime later phase two is concluded.
Phase three - Operational
Phase four - Profit?
CSS Tianhe core module. At 22.5 ton, it will be the heaviest payload CZ-5 launch to date.
