CSS (MENGTIAN)
Mengtian is the second major laboratory module of the Tiangong space station. Launched in 2022, it completed the station's basic T-shaped configuration and expanded China's capacity for microgravity experiments and technology demonstrations.
Object identity
- NORAD ID
- 54216
- COSPAR ID
- 2022-143A
- Operator
- Not listed
- Country
- Not listed
- Launch date
- Not listed
Immediate discovery
Why this satellite matters
Mengtian's story connects launch vehicle performance to station assembly: a heavy module must be injected into an orbit close enough to Tiangong's that later rendezvous maneuvers remain efficient and safe.
Understanding the mission
Science and engineering ideas
Mengtian's story connects launch vehicle performance to station assembly: a heavy module must be injected into an orbit close enough to Tiangong's that later rendezvous maneuvers remain efficient and safe.
Mission
Mission and purpose
Objects in this category may be crewed stations, modules, cargo vehicles, or other spacecraft directly connected with human activity in orbit. The exact role depends on the individual object.
- Mengtian's story connects launch vehicle performance to station assembly: a heavy module must be injected into an orbit close enough to Tiangong's that later rendezvous maneuvers remain efficient and safe.
Design
Engineering
Mengtian's story connects launch vehicle performance to station assembly: a heavy module must be injected into an orbit close enough to Tiangong's that later rendezvous maneuvers remain efficient and safe.
Real orbital values
The mathematics
The current two-line element set reports approximately 15.6006 revolutions per day. Dividing 1,440 minutes by that value gives an estimated orbital period of 92.3 minutes.
Period
92.3 min
Representative speed
27,632 km/h
Representative altitude
395 km
Inclination
41.47°
Launch record
Launch and deployment
Mengtian launched on 31 October 2022 aboard a Long March 5B from Wenchang and docked with Tiangong later that day.
Orbit
LEO orbit explained
Low Earth orbit is the region closest to Earth used by most crewed spacecraft, many science missions, Earth-observation satellites, and large constellations. Objects move quickly and commonly complete an orbit in roughly 90 to 130 minutes.
LEO can provide detailed Earth views, lower communications delay, and easier access than higher orbits, but it covers less area per spacecraft and is more affected by atmospheric drag.
Live TransitSatellite experience
See CSS (MENGTIAN) moving now
Open the live tracker to view its current calculated position, trajectory, orbital information, visibility tools, and Save and Share controls.
Learning
Questions to explore
- Why do low-orbiting stations circle Earth many times per day?
- How do crews receive power, supplies, and communications in orbit?
Evidence
Sources and data notes
Current identity and orbital elements come from CelesTrak’s public GP data. Calculated orbit values are derived from the current TLE and may change after catalog updates. Mission-history claims are added separately and require authoritative sources.
Catalog updated
Sep 18, 2026, 8:28 AM UTC
Story review
1970-01-01T00:00:00.000Z