Wentian

Wentian (Chinese: 问天; pinyin: Wèntiān) is the first laboratory module of the China Space Station (CSS). It was launched on 24 July 2022 aboard a Long March 5B rocket and docked with the Tianhe core module in late July 2022, forming the initial core of the CSS. Wentian significantly expanded the station’s habitable volume and introduced a dedicated laboratory for on-orbit experimentation.

Wentian is designed to support scientific research in life sciences, biotechnology, materials science, microgravity physics, and related fields. It houses a pressurized laboratory with experimental racks, life-support systems, and crew facilities. The module includes an external airlock to enable extravehicular activities and an exposed facility for experiments exposed to the space environment. It also adds an additional docking port, enabling future modules or visiting spacecraft to attach and increasing the station’s configurational flexibility.

Operational history and role: After its arrival, Wentian operated as a primary science module alongside the Tianhe core, enabling a broader program of experiments and longer-duration crew presence. In 2022, the Mengtian module joined the CSS, completing a three-module core structure and expanding the station’s capabilities further. Wentian continues to serve as a platform for diverse scientific research during on-orbit missions and supports the ongoing expansion and maintenance of the CSS.

Wentian is a key component of the China Space Station, alongside Tianhe and Mengtian, contributing to China’s long-term ambitions for space science, technology development, and international collaboration.