China test new arm in space ! Robotic arm moves Tianzhou 2 spacecraft around Tiangong space station

On January 6, China used the space station's robotic arm for the first time to maneuver a large spacecraft in orbit.
On the same day, the robotic arm of the Tiangong Space Station successfully captured the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft and began the test of its transposition.
After the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft was unlocked and separated from the Tianhe core module, it was captured by the arm.
Then the arm rotated the spacecraft, and move it to be re-docked with the core module and completed locking.
The experiment verified the feasibility and effectiveness of using the robotic arm to move and relock modules, essential for future station construction.
China's Tiangong space station needs to be assembled in space using robotic arms and other means through multiple launches.
China has already launched tianhe core module, Tianzhou cargo spacecraft, Shenzhou manned spacecraft and will launch two experimental modules.
In order to ensure that the two experimental modules launched later can successfully complete the cabin transposition task, it is necessary to carry out the verification of the key technologies for in-orbit transposition in advance.
The tianzhou-2 transposition test is for this purpose, so that the entire space station can be completed on schedule.
The arm has assisted astronauts on four previous spacewalks, but this is the first time it moves a spacecraft.
The experiment is similar to the tower crane used in skyscraper construction, with one arm connected to the core module and the other to tianzhou-2.
If the test failed, it might cause damage to the manipulator, so the transposition test was carefully planned.
This dazzling series of operations also demonstrated several key technologies in the construction of China's space station.
The Chinese team has carried out extensive simulations on the ground to ensure success, and this test is a validation of the ground simulation system.
The test proves the arm can move nearly nine tons, and with required accuracy.
When docking, the speed of the robotic arm is not enough, so the GNC (Guidance, navigation and Control) system gives it initial speed.
After docking, locking system must operate correctly, and then the arm needs to be withdrawn.
Therefore, multiple systems need to participate in the test, so that verification in the whole process can be achieved.
The next step will be manual robotic arm operation test, another big challenge for the crew members.
The Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft will be moved by astronauts in the manual robotic arm tests.
After manual arm test is completed, the crew will take the Shenzhou spacecraft and return to the earth.
On May 29 2021, the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft was successfully launched from Hainan province.
The Tianzhou-2 not only carries a large number of important supplies, but also carries more propellant.
Now the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft is locked to the forward port of the Tiangong station.
After completing all tests, Tianzhou-2 will detach from the station, make reentry to the earth and burn off in the atmosphere.

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