"Tianzhou" is a cargo spacecraft that China has been using since 2017, launched every 9 months with the Long March 7 rocket to deliver supplies, propellant, and scientific experiments to astronauts aboard the Chinese space station in orbit. Its payload capacity is 7.5 tons. Compared to similar spacecraft around the world, this is a considerably large payload capacity, but it reduces flexibility because a larger payload means fewer launch times. Therefore, China needs a smaller spacecraft.

“天舟”是中國自2017年以來一直在使用的貨運(yùn)飛船，每9個月用長征七號發(fā)射一次，為在軌的中國空間站上的宇航員運(yùn)送補(bǔ)給、推進(jìn)劑和科學(xué)實(shí)驗，它的載荷能力是7.5噸。與全球同類飛船相比，這是一個相當(dāng)大的載荷能力，但這減少了靈活性，因為更大的載荷意味著發(fā)射次數(shù)更少。所以中國需要一艘更小的飛船。

On May 16, 2023, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) issued a request for proposals for a "low-cost cargo transportation system" to the Chinese space station. This solicitation was open to all companies, including commercial ones. In 2024, two suppliers were sexted: "Haolong One" from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and "Qingzhou" from the Shanghai Microsystem and Information Technology Institute. The introduction of these two new commercial spacecraft marks a new era in the material supply services for the Chinese space station.

2023年5月16日，中國載人航天局（CMSA）發(fā)布了一個征求建議書，尋求到中國空間站的“低成本貨運(yùn)運(yùn)輸系統(tǒng)”，這次征集對所有公司開放，包括商業(yè)公司。2024年，兩家供應(yīng)商被選中，分別是來自中國航空工業(yè)集團(tuán)公司的“昊龍一號”和來自上海微系統(tǒng)所的“輕舟”。這兩艘新型商業(yè)航天器的推出標(biāo)志著中國空間站物資補(bǔ)給服務(wù)的新紀(jì)元。

"Haolong One," designed by the aviation industry giant AVIC, stands out for its unique space shuttle design and swept-back delta wings, capable of horizontal landing. The spacecraft is 10 meters long and 8 meters wide, with a payload capacity of 1.8 tons, compatible with the standard docking mechanism of the Chinese space station. The wings of "Haolong One" are foldable to accommodate different launch mission requirements. Additionally, its return capability will greatly enhance China's ability to bring payloads back from the space station.

“昊龍一號”由航空工業(yè)巨頭中國航空工業(yè)集團(tuán)公司（AVIC）設(shè)計，以其獨(dú)特的航天飛機(jī)設(shè)計和后掠三角翼而引人注目，能夠?qū)崿F(xiàn)水平著陸。該飛船總長10米，寬8米，載荷能力達(dá)到1.8噸，與中國空間站的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)對接機(jī)制兼容?！瓣积堃惶枴钡某岚蚩烧郫B，以適應(yīng)不同的發(fā)射任務(wù)需求。此外，其返回能力將極大增強(qiáng)中國從空間站帶回有效載荷的能力。

Competing with "Haolong One" is the "Qingzhou" spacecraft designed by the Shanghai Microsystem and Information Technology Institute, which is set to have its first launch in September 2025. "Qingzhou" features a single integrated module design, providing 27 square meters of payload space, capable not only of transporting supplies to the space station but also carrying spacecraft systems, such as propulsion and optional refrigeration units. "Qingzhou's" payload capacity ranges from 1.8 to 2 tons. Although not reusable, it will serve as a means of unloading waste, capable of carrying up to 2.9 tons of waste to burn upon departure. Reports indicate that its cost is about 100 million RMB per ton, below the government-set limit of 120 million RMB per ton.

與“昊龍一號”競爭的是上海微系統(tǒng)所設(shè)計的“輕舟”飛船，它將在2025年9月首次發(fā)射，“輕舟”采用單一體化模塊設(shè)計，提供27平方米的載荷空間，不僅能夠為空間站運(yùn)送物資，還能搭載飛船系統(tǒng)，如推進(jìn)和可選的冷藏單元?！拜p舟”的有效載荷能力在1.8噸到2噸之間，雖然不可重復(fù)使用，但將作為卸載廢物的手段，最多可攜帶2.9噸廢物在撤離時燃燒。據(jù)報道，其成本約為每噸1億人民幣，低于政府設(shè)定的1.2億人民幣的上限。

The introduction of these two spacecraft is the first step in the commercialization of China's space program, with the first public bidding open to all companies, including commercial ones. This strategy is similar to NASA's Commercial Resupply and Commercial Crew programs in the late 2000s, aimed at promoting the development of space technology through competition and cooperation. It is expected that these new commercial spacecraft will be put into use in the coming years, further enhancing the operational capabilities and efficiency of the Chinese space station.

這兩艘飛船的推出是中國空間計劃商業(yè)化的第一步，首次公開招標(biāo)對所有公司開放，包括商業(yè)公司，這一策略與NASA在2000年代末的商業(yè)補(bǔ)給和商業(yè)乘員計劃相似，旨在通過競爭和合作推動航天技術(shù)的發(fā)展。預(yù)計這些新型商業(yè)航天器將在未來幾年內(nèi)投入使用，進(jìn)一步提升中國空間站的運(yùn)營能力和效率。