Chinese Engineers Use Digital Technology to Shorten Design Time and Enhance Construction Efficiency of the Orbital Space Station.
Tianhe Space Station of China has completed its T-shaped structure, which includes the core module Tianhe and two experimental modules, Wentian and Mengtian. Digital technology has expedited the design, manufacturing, and testing processes throughout the construction of the nearly 100-ton space station, CGTN reported on January 4.
Simulation of the Tianhe Space Station in orbit. (Photo: CFP).
“Digital technology has improved the efficiency and quality of China’s space station development, shortening the development cycle by 30%,” said Lin Xiaoqing, chief engineer responsible for digital and intelligent manufacturing technology at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The development of the space station employs a three-dimensional computer numerical control (CNC) model. This unified data source contains information on design, manufacturing, testing, and assembly. According to Lin, this model is more intuitive, significantly reducing the time required for drafting and preparation, especially for developing products with complex structures. Through CNC, development efficiency has increased by over 50%. The 3D model also integrates data sources from the development process, contributing to product quality control.
The space station assembly is extremely complex, involving multiple sectors and systems such as energy, environment, control, information, and propulsion. If a design requires adjustments or changes, it can affect the surrounding systems. Module relocation is a crucial step in the final assembly and construction phase of the space station, according to Wang Xiang, commander of the Chinese Space Station system.
“The dynamic model of the space station modules comes from various departments. For example, we have a team responsible for structural design and another team in charge of developing the solar panels. Relocating modules not only changes the position of the space station but also alters how the solar panels are illuminated by the Sun, thereby affecting power generation and supply,” Wang explained.
Since the start of the space station design process, a collaborative digital design platform has been established, allowing for comprehensive interdisciplinary simulations. With 3D digital technology, different departments are interconnected. Through this linkage, they can provide timely feedback and ensure that the entire process of information transmission and exchange occurs accurately and swiftly, Wang noted.
Currently, the “digital space station” is used for designing and verifying flight plans for missions, as well as monitoring real-time data and predicting the orbital status of the Tianhe space station.
