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XXL Space Station
According to South China Morning Post, China is working on an ultra-large spacecraft. It would span whole miles.
Although the project is still years away, the National Natural Science Foundation of China has asked scientists to help build a huge structure in orbit.
Although it is a huge undertaking, given the country's recent leaps in space programs, it may just be the best place to do it.
Space Raft
The purpose of this massive structure is to allow people to spend more time in space. According to SCMP, it is one of five foundation projects that will receive approximately $2.3 million each.
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[Such spacecraft] is a strategic spacecraft that will be used for future explorations of the universe, long-term orbit and other purposes. SCMP quotes an outline of the foundation's project.
It is obvious that launching a spacecraft of this size on one rocket would prove impossible. This plan suggests that you send separate modules into space, and then put the huge structure in orbit.
According to reports, the main goal of the project is to maintain mass while still making sure nothing breaks on the way into orbit.
Some assembly required
This ambitious project is almost science fiction, and it's not even possible to complete in 2021. If history is any guide, it is possible to build larger structures in orbit, as the International Space Station proves.
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China had been busy at Tiangong, its space station, before embarking on this new project. The first main module, which houses four Chinese astronauts, is now in orbit. Many more modules and crew members will soon follow.
Tiangong is expected to have a mass of approximately 100 tons, which is about a quarter of the ISS.
It is impossible to scale up multiple orders of magnitude.
READ MORE: China is pushing for ultra-large spacecraft that can span miles [South China Morning Post]
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