Tiangong / human-spaceflight constellation
sourcingtypical 4/5 · 8 factsTianhe is the core module of the modular Chinese Space Station (CSS), launched 2021-04-29 on a CZ-5B from Wenchang Space Launch Center. It provides integrated control and management of the whole space station and life-support functions allowing astronauts to stay in space for extended periods, and hosts space medicine, space science, and technology experiments. It was the first module of China's space station launched into orbit and serves as the docking point for cargo and crewed spacecraft ahead of the later addition of laboratory modules.
faq
Who operates Tiangong?
Tiangong is operated by CNSA. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
How many Tiangong satellites are active on orbit?
CelesTrak's catalog currently tracks 1 object for Tiangong. (source, as of 2026-07-11)
When did Tiangong first launch?
Tiangong first launched on 2021-04-29. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
facts
sats active (verified) counts objects currently tracked in CelesTrak's catalog for this constellation. It is a tracking count, not an operator claim about satellite health.
orbit
timeline
- 20222022-10-31China launches Mengtian, the second and final laboratory module of Tiangong (source, as of 2026-07-06)
- 2022-07-24China launches Wentian, the first laboratory module of Tiangong (source, as of 2026-07-06)
- 20212021-06-17Shenzhou 12 delivers China's first crew to the Tiangong space station (source, as of 2026-07-06)
- 2021-04-29China launches Tianhe, the core module of the Tiangong space station (source, as of 2026-07-06)
sources
Includes data from Gunter's Space Page: doc_sdat/tianhe.htm