China's space station has officially activated its mirror platform, marking a significant milestone in supporting scientific research aboard the station. According to the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization (CSU) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this platform is poised to enhance the scope and efficiency of experiments conducted in space.
The newly operational mirror platform is equipped with 14 science experiment cabinets, alongside essential public support equipment that manages information, power distribution, and fluid cooling both inside and outside the cabins. This setup ensures that a wide range of scientific investigations can be carried out seamlessly.
Functioning as a parallel scientific experiment system on the ground, the mirror platform allows for extensive verification and matching of experiments before they are launched into space. The upcoming scientific missions planned by the Shenzhou-19 crew have already undergone rigorous testing on this platform, ensuring that all experiment payloads, related software, and spare parts are fully prepared for deployment.
“Through the platform, we have conducted ground verification for the experiments that the Shenzhou-19 crew will perform, as well as for the experiment payloads, related software, and spare parts before the launch,” explained Zhong Hongen, a researcher at CSU.
This advancement not only strengthens the scientific capabilities of China’s space station but also paves the way for more complex and impactful research missions in the future.
Reference(s):
Mirror platform for experiments at China Space Station operational
cgtn.com