ST-01 Wanxingyuan side-view image placeholder (Stellaria-class lead ship, dual artificial-gravity ring configuration)
ST-01 Wanxingyuan is the lead ship of the Stellaria-class interplanetary exploration mothership, originally begun as a Xihe-class base mothership in 2050 and reconfigured to Stellaria-class in 2053-2054.
Wanxingyuan (designation ST-01), also referred to as Stellaria, is the lead ship of the Stellaria-class interplanetary exploration mothership. The vessel has a unique dual-origin construction history: it was originally laid down as a Xihe-class base mothership in September 2050, built in parallel with Xihe (XH-01); after 871 days of construction it was halted in February 2053, transferred to the Stellaria Program, and reconfigured as the Stellaria-class lead ship, with reconfiguration completed in April 2054. As of March 2060, Wanxingyuan is executing Outer Solar System Exploration Mission 1, en route to Neptune.
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Wanxingyuan is the first crewed deep-space mothership in human history equipped with a lightspeed engine, and the first mothership to execute missions to Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Neptune. Over five years of service it has completed a string of pioneering missions: inner solar system exploration (Mercury + Venus), Mars base construction, Europa Outpost construction, and Saturn exploration. A comprehensive upgrade at Star Port Station from late 2059 to early 2060 brought it to full Stellaria-class specifications, including dual artificial-gravity habitation rings, a central extension section, cryo-sleep chambers, and enhanced radiation protection.
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Design overview
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Wanxingyuan is the lead ship of the Stellaria class, adopting a long axial-spine multi-module cylindrical configuration that extends the proven axial modular layout of the Xihe class across several key dimensions. Following the 2059-2060 Star Port comprehensive upgrade, the vessel measures approximately 125 m in overall length and features dual artificial-gravity habitation rings (each 30 m in diameter), a central extension section, a greenhouse module, cryo-sleep chambers, and enhanced radiation protection. Propulsion is centered on the lightspeed engine powered by an Ark cold-fusion reactor, with a retained Perseverance mass-driver propulsion system serving as backup.
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Wanxingyuan is not capable of atmospheric re-entry or planetary landing; surface access and short-range transport are handled by two carried Echo-class shuttles (or compatible ferry craft). The ship accommodates a long-duration crew of 25 (up to 50 short-duration), with the dual artificial-gravity rings operating at different rotation rates to provide adjustable artificial gravity between approximately 0.4 g and 0.6 g. The greenhouse module features multi-zone rotational hydroponic cultivation, providing stable food supplementation and atmospheric regeneration for long-duration missions. Cryo-sleep chambers support reduced metabolic consumption during ultra-long transits such as outer-planet missions. For a complete description of design details, see the main Stellaria-class interplanetary exploration mothership article.
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ST-01 dual-ring configuration diagram placeholder
Following its 2058 upgrade, Wanxingyuan features dual artificial-gravity habitation rings plus a central extension section, significantly improving crew accommodation and mission resilience for long-duration deep-space operations.
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As the Stellaria-class lead ship, Wanxingyuan uniquely combines the "genetic" heritage of the Xihe-class base frame with the core capability of Stellaria-class lightspeed propulsion. This hybrid origin meant that during its early missions (2055-2058) the ship operated a lightspeed engine with otherwise Xihe-standard systems, gained a second artificial-gravity ring and greenhouse upgrade in the 2058 maintenance, and finally achieved full Stellaria-class specifications in the 2059-2060 Star Port upgrade. This progressive evolutionary pathway provided irreplaceable operational data for the design of subsequent Stellaria-class sister ships.
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Construction
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Initial construction: Xihe-class base mothership (2050-2053)
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Wanxingyuan's predecessor was one of two "base motherships" laid down in parallel with Xihe (the other later became ST-02 Kristen). On 2050-09-15, the first module was delivered to low Earth orbit by an uncrewed Vulture Shuttle (Block 1), initiating 871 days of initial construction.
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Construction employed the same "orbiter relay" method used for Xihe: the first launch delivered the initial module via an uncrewed orbiter that remained on orbit as the assembly platform; each subsequent launch brought a new module and assembly crew aboard a crewed orbiter, with the crew using the orbiter left behind from the previous mission as their operations base. Wanxingyuan's initial construction (then without an ST designation) overlapped heavily with Xihe's construction timeline, with the Vulture fleet sustaining parallel construction of two motherships simultaneously during 2050-2053 -- the fleet's highest operational tempo in its history.
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The following table records the key launches of the initial construction phase:
Final orbiter relay mission; subsequent work conducted directly on the mothership
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By 2053-02-02, initial construction had accumulated 871 days. At this point the hull had completed primary structural mating and most cross-module connections, but the main propulsion system (the Xihe-class Perseverance mass-driver) had not yet been delivered. Just as the propulsion module was about to arrive, a strategic decision altered the ship's destiny: the emerging Stellaria Program offered the revolutionary lightspeed engine propulsion technology. Completing it as a standard Xihe-class mothership would have missed the window to leverage the new technology.
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Construction was formally halted on 2053-02-02. Three months later (2053-05-11), the hull was officially transferred to the Stellaria Program and entered the reconfiguration phase. The other base mothership (future ST-02) was also halted on 2053-02-10 and subsequently transferred as well.
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Reconfiguration: Stellaria-class lead ship (2053-2054)
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Reconfiguration work commenced on 2053-05-11 at Star Port Station, lasting 352 days and completing on 2054-04-28. During this period, the ship's original Xihe-class propulsion module mounting base was replaced with a lightspeed-engine-compatible interface, and lightspeed engine core components were delivered in batches to Star Port by Qingtian cargo ships (LEO upmass capacity approximately 150 t) for orbital installation and static testing.
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It is crucial to emphasize that this reconfiguration's core change was the replacement of the Xihe-class Perseverance mass-driver propulsion system with the lightspeed engine -- all other systems (including command center, habitation modules, greenhouse, docking interfaces, and life-support systems) remained at Xihe-class standards. In other words, upon completion of reconfiguration in 2054, Wanxingyuan was essentially a hybrid platform: "Xihe-class hull + Stellaria-class propulsion core." This identity defined its early operations from 2055 to 2058, until the 2059-2060 Star Port upgrade brought it to full Stellaria-class specifications.
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Phase
Start
End
Duration
Activity
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Initial construction (Xihe-class base mothership)
2050-09-15
2053-02-02
871 days
Vulture Shuttle orbiter relay, structural assembly and cross-module connections
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Construction halt
2053-02-02
2053-05-11
98 days
Strategic decision and transfer preparation
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Reconfiguration (Stellaria-class lead ship)
2053-05-11
2054-04-28
352 days
Qingtian cargo ship transport, lightspeed engine installation and static testing
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Total
2050-09-15
2054-04-28
1,321 days
From first module arrival to reconfiguration completion
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Testing and commissioning
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Following reconfiguration, Wanxingyuan entered testing and commissioning preparation across three phases:
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Trial Run (2054-05-12 to 2054-08-22, 102 days): Conducted in lunar orbit. This was the first time the lightspeed engine received systematic validation in an actual space environment. Testing covered low-power lightspeed engine ignition, propulsion-to-Xihe-standard power bus compatibility verification, command center adaptation to the new propulsion control interface, and artificial-gravity habitation ring dynamic balance testing under lightspeed engine vibration. The lunar orbit round-trip provided gravity environment and communications delay conditions closer to actual deep-space missions than LEO could.
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Deep Space Test (2054-09-07 to 2054-11-28, 82 days): Wanxingyuan proceeded uncrewed to the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point, executing the first deep-space autonomous flight validation of the lightspeed engine. The mission verified thermal control stability under sustained high-power lightspeed engine output, integration of lightspeed engine thrust models into the long-duration autonomous navigation system, and ship-wide structural response at lightspeed-class velocity increments. This was the first time in human history that a lightspeed engine performed maneuvers at Sun-Earth L2 distance.
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Pre-commissioning Maintenance (2054-12-01 to 2055-02-28, 89 days): After the deep space test, Wanxingyuan returned to LEO and docked at Star Port Station, where the engineering team applied system optimizations based on trial run and deep space test data. Key items included lightspeed engine thrust vector calibration fine-tuning, propulsion control redundancy loop upgrades, command center navigation computer software updates, and life-support flow-rate rebalancing to accommodate the lightspeed engine's higher power fluctuation levels.
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In March 2055, Wanxingyuan formally entered service, becoming the first operational lightspeed-engine crewed deep-space mothership in human history.
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Operational history
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Since entering service in March 2055, Wanxingyuan has executed six major missions (including one in progress), progressively advancing from the inner Solar System to outer Solar System deep space. The following details each mission phase in chronological order.
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Inner Solar System Exploration Mission 1 (2055-03-20 to 2056-04-12)
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ST-01 Mercury and Venus exploration artist's impression placeholder
The Inner Solar System Exploration Mission was Wanxingyuan's maiden voyage and the first time in human history that a single mothership visited both Mercury and Venus in a single mission.
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On 2055-03-20, Wanxingyuan departed Earth in a crewed configuration for its first operational mission -- Inner Solar System Exploration Mission 1. The mission's objective was to validate lightspeed engine performance in the high-energy inner Solar System environment and conduct scientific surveys of Mercury and Venus.
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Mission Phase 1: Wanxingyuan departed Earth with a 180 km/s injection (FAST TRANSFER trajectory), completing the heliocentric transfer to Venus in approximately 35 days and arriving at Venus orbit on 2055-04-24. Approximately 60 days of atmospheric sounding and orbital remote sensing were conducted at Venus (2055-04-24 to 2055-06-23). Wanxingyuan then executed a Venus-to-Mercury transfer using the lightspeed engine, arriving at Mercury orbit on 2055-07-10. Approximately 45 days of surface remote sensing and solar-wind environment measurements were conducted at Mercury (2055-07-10 to 2055-08-24).
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Following Mercury operations, Wanxingyuan departed Mercury orbit on 2055-08-24 for the return to Earth. Due to Mercury's proximity to the Sun, Wanxingyuan leveraged the lightspeed engine's high efficiency to execute multiple deep-space maneuvers in the strong solar gravity field, completing the approximately 230-day return voyage and arriving at Earth on 2056-04-12. This mission irrefutably proved that the lightspeed engine could operate reliably in the extreme thermal and strong gravity conditions of the inner Solar System, and that a Stellaria-class mothership could efficiently visit multiple inner-planet targets in a single mission.
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Phase
Start
End
Duration
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Earth-Venus transfer
2055-03-20
2055-04-24
~35 days
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Venus operations
2055-04-24
2055-06-23
~60 days
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Venus-Mercury transfer
2055-06-23
2055-07-10
~17 days
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Mercury operations
2055-07-10
2055-08-24
~45 days
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Mercury-Earth return
2055-08-24
2056-04-12
~230 days
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Mars One Construction Mission 2 (2056-06-02 to 2056-11-03)
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On 2056-06-02, Wanxingyuan departed Earth for Mars with a 135 km/s injection (STANDARD TRANSFER trajectory), arriving at Mars orbit on 2056-07-07 after approximately 35 days. The mission delivered construction materials and rotation crew to Mars One Base.
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Mars surface operations ran from 2056-07-07 to 2056-09-25, totaling 80 days. During this period, Wanxingyuan's crew met the crew of Xihe (XH-01) -- then simultaneously operating at Mars -- on the Martian surface on 2056-09-17, completing humanity's first interplanetary crew handover in history. This historic moment marked the dawn of coordinated multi-mothership operations. With two motherships simultaneously present in the Mars system, the vessels completed the first inter-mothership cargo transfer and joint communications relay test.
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For the return leg, Wanxingyuan departed Mars on 2056-09-25 with a 140 km/s injection, completing the approximately 39-day return voyage and arriving at Earth on 2056-11-03. The success of Mars One Construction Mission 2 further validated the Stellaria class's reliable delivery capability at Mars distance and the feasibility of multi-mothership coordinated operations.
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Europa Outpost Construction Mission 1 (2056-12-15 to 2057-12-20)
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On 2056-12-15, Wanxingyuan departed Earth with a 195 km/s injection (FAST TRANSFER trajectory) bound for the Jovian system. This was the first Stellaria-class mission beyond Mars orbit into the outer Solar System, and the first operational test of the lightspeed engine on a long-distance interplanetary voyage. After approximately 55 days of cruise, Wanxingyuan arrived at the Jovian system on 2057-02-08.
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Wanxingyuan spent approximately 285 days in the Jovian system (2057-02-08 to 2057-11-20), executing the initial construction phase of Europa Research Outpost:
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Outpost core module delivery: Wanxingyuan used its forward main docking interface to tow large modules to Europa orbit, with carried Echo shuttles completing terminal landing and mating.
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Subsurface ocean sounding: Deployed penetrating radar and seismic sensor networks, obtaining data on Europa's ice shell thickness and subsurface ocean structure.
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Radiation environment assessment: Measured radiation levels at multiple candidate surface sites on Europa, providing design inputs for outpost radiation shielding.
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Life-support system pre-installation: Power bus routing and fluid plumbing integration for the outpost's initial life-support modules.
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On 2057-11-20, Wanxingyuan departed the Jovian system for the return voyage with a 190 km/s injection. Thanks to favorable planetary alignment, the return transit took approximately 30 days, arriving at Earth on 2057-12-20. This mission irrefutably proved that the Stellaria-class mothership was capable of executing long-duration infrastructure construction missions in the outer Solar System, and that the lightspeed engine maintained stable operation in Jupiter's intense radiation environment. The year-long expedition duration provided invaluable physiological and psychological data on crew endurance during extended deep-space habitation.
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Maintenance and Upgrades (2058-01-05 to 2058-05-15)
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ST-01 2058 upgrade示意图 placeholder -- addition of second artificial gravity ring
The 2058 upgrade added a second artificial-gravity habitation ring to Wanxingyuan, substantially improving crew quality of life and mission resilience for long-duration missions.
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Following completion of the Europa Outpost construction mission, Wanxingyuan began a 130-day maintenance and upgrade cycle at Star Port Station on 2058-01-05. This was the ship's first major upgrade since entering service, with core projects including:
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Addition of a second artificial-gravity habitation ring: A second 30 m diameter rotating habitation ring was installed amidships, forming a dual-ring configuration with the original ring. The two rings operate at different rotation rates, providing approximately 0.4 g and 0.6 g respectively, offering the crew a gradient gravity adaptation environment.
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Greenhouse module comprehensive upgrade: Hydroponic system upgraded from single-zone to multi-zone rotational cultivation, with automated environmental control and disease monitoring added; nutrient-loop efficiency improved by approximately 40%. The upgraded greenhouse supports longer-duration missions with reduced reliance on resupply.
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Life-support system upgrade: Closed-loop water recovery rate raised above 97%; atmospheric regeneration catalytic units replaced with next-generation high-efficiency components; redundant oxygen generation units added.
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Lightspeed engine routine servicing: Thrust vector calibration, magnetic confinement field coil inspection, and cooling loop comprehensive flushing.
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This maintenance cycle significantly enhanced Wanxingyuan's mission endurance, thoroughly preparing the ship for the upcoming Saturn expedition. The dual artificial-gravity ring configuration made Wanxingyuan the only active mothership at that time with multi-gradient artificial gravity capability.
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Saturn Exploration Mission 1 (2058-06-01 to 2059-11-24)
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On 2058-06-01, the upgraded Wanxingyuan departed Earth with a 210 km/s injection (FAST TRANSFER trajectory, leveraging lightspeed engine high efficiency) bound for the Saturn system. This was humanity's first crewed Saturn mission. After approximately 70 days of interplanetary cruise, Wanxingyuan arrived at the Saturn system on 2058-08-10.
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Wanxingyuan spent approximately 415 days in the Saturn system (2058-08-10 to 2059-09-29), executing multi-target exploration with a focus on Titan:
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Titan surface operations (2058-08-10 to 2059-05-01): Wanxingyuan remained in high Titan orbit while carried Echo shuttles executed multiple surface descents and sampling runs. Key research focused on Titan's methane seas, atmospheric chemistry, and surface geology. The crew deployed automated weather stations and seismic monitoring networks on Titan's surface.
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Saturn ring transit sounding (May 2059): Wanxingyuan traversed the outer edge of Saturn's rings at low relative velocity, using its onboard sensor array to conduct close-range in-situ measurements of ring particle composition, density distribution, and dynamical characteristics. This was the first crewed transit of a planetary ring structure by a human spacecraft.
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Enceladus plume sampling (June-July 2059): Carried probes flew through Enceladus's southern polar plumes, collecting ejecta samples for analysis of subsurface ocean chemistry and potential biomarkers.
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On 2059-09-29, Wanxingyuan departed the Saturn system for return. This return voyage was the first validation of lightspeed engine cold-restart performance after extremely long-duration cruise. With a 205 km/s injection, the return transit took approximately 56 days (benefiting from the lightspeed engine's high specific impulse and favorable planetary alignment), arriving at Earth and docking at Star Port Station on 2059-11-24. The success of Saturn Exploration Mission 1 extended the frontier of crewed deep-space exploration from the Jovian system further outward to the Saturn system, and accumulated critical outer Solar System long-duration operational experience for the subsequent Neptune mission.
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Phase
Start
End
Duration
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Earth-Saturn transfer
2058-06-01
2058-08-10
~70 days
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Saturn system ops (incl. Titan)
2058-08-10
2059-09-29
~415 days
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Saturn-Earth return
2059-09-29
2059-11-24
~56 days
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Star Port Full Upgrade (2059-11-25 to 2060-02-10)
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On 2059-11-25, immediately upon completing the Saturn mission, Wanxingyuan entered a comprehensive upgrade phase at Star Port Station. This 77-day upgrade was the largest and most thorough transformation in the ship's service history -- its objective was to upgrade the "Xihe-class hull + Stellaria-class propulsion core" hybrid platform into a complete Stellaria-class specification mothership.
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Core upgrade projects included:
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Central extension section installation: A Stellaria-standard central extension section was inserted between the command center and habitation modules, providing additional laboratory space, cryo-sleep chambers, and redundant life-support units.
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Radiation protection comprehensive reinforcement: Dual-layer composite shielding was installed in all crew-occupied zones, bringing radiation protection to Stellaria-class deep-space standards.
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Cryo-sleep chamber deployment: Twelve cryo-sleep chambers were installed in the central extension section and habitation modules to support crew rotation hibernation during ultra-long-duration missions.
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Command center comprehensive refit: Navigation computers, communications equipment, and mission planning systems were replaced with the latest Stellaria-class standards, integrating deep autonomous navigation with lightspeed engine thrust models.
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Docking system standardization: All forward and lateral docking interfaces were upgraded to Stellaria-class standard quick-release interfaces, compatible with next-generation Stellaria-class carried vehicles.
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Structural integrity inspection: A full-range non-destructive inspection of the hull structure assessed the fatigue state of the original Xihe-class frame after 9 years of service.
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On 2060-02-10, the upgrade was completed. At this point, Wanxingyuan had achieved a thorough transformation from "lightspeed engine verification platform" to "complete Stellaria-class deep-space mothership." The upgraded vessel measures approximately 125 m in overall length, features dual artificial-gravity rings, a central extension section, cryo-sleep chambers, and complete Stellaria-class life-support and mission systems -- fully meeting Stellaria-class specifications.
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Outer Solar System Exploration Mission 1 (2060-02-11 -- ongoing)
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On 2060-02-11 -- the day after upgrade completion -- Wanxingyuan departed Earth in full Stellaria-class specification, executing Outer Solar System Exploration Mission 1 with Neptune as its destination. This is humanity's first crewed Neptune mission and the farthest crewed deep-space flight ever undertaken at that time.
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Wanxingyuan injected into heliocentric transfer orbit with a 240 km/s burn (FAST TRANSFER trajectory). Benefiting from the full Stellaria-class lightspeed engine's exceptional performance and the dual-ring artificial gravity's support for long-duration crew health, the transit is estimated at approximately 200 days, with arrival at the Neptune system expected around late August 2060. The mission plan encompasses:
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Neptune atmospheric remote sensing and magnetic field mapping
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Triton surface exploration -- one of the coldest bodies in the Solar System, whose retrograde orbit and possible subsurface ocean hold exceptional scientific value
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Neptune ring system close-range observation
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Autonomous mission operations validation under extreme deep-space communications delay conditions
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As of March 2060, Wanxingyuan is on its heliocentric transfer trajectory to Neptune, with all systems operating nominally and the entire crew in good condition. Data from this mission will provide irreplaceable operational experience and technical validation for humanity's exploration of farther outer Solar System bodies and ultimately the Kuiper Belt.
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建造采用与羲和号相同的"轨道器接力"方案：首飞由无人轨道器将首个模块送入轨道并留作组装平台，后续每次由载人轨道器运送新模块和组装人员，人员使用前次留在轨道上的轨道器作为操作基地。万星源号（当时尚无 ST 编号）的初始建造与羲和号在时间上高度重叠，秃鹫机队在 2050—2053 年间同时支撑两艘母舰的并行建造，运营强度达到历史峰值。
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Kristen (ST-02)
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KristenST-02
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ST-02 Kristen side-view image placeholder (Stellaria-class second ship, Xihe-standard configuration)
Kristen is the second Stellaria-class ship, originally laid down as a Xihe-class base mothership in 2052 and reconfigured to Stellaria-class in 2053-2055.
Kristen (designation ST-02, originally referred to as Stellaria NEXT) is the second ship of the Stellaria-class interplanetary exploration mothership. Like the lead ship Wanxingyuan (ST-01), Kristen has a dual-origin construction history: it was originally laid down as a Xihe-class base mothership on 2052-01-14, built in parallel with Xihe and ST-01; after approximately 392 days of construction it was halted on 2053-02-10, subsequently transferred to the Stellaria Program and reconfigured. The reconfiguration phase lasted approximately 884 days (2053-05-12 to 2055-10-13) -- 2.5 times longer than ST-01's reconfiguration, reflecting the reality of resources being prioritized toward the lead ship.
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As of March 2060, Kristen is in the Jovian system executing Europa Expedition 2. Over three and a half years of service it has completed one Mars expedition, one Europa Outpost construction mission, and one Europa expedition. Kristen is scheduled to undergo a full Stellaria-class upgrade at Star Port Station from September 2060 to June 2061, at which point it will gain dual artificial-gravity rings, a central extension section, cryo-sleep chambers, and complete Stellaria-class capabilities.
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Design overview
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Kristen's current hull state is similar to ST-01's state during 2054-2058 -- essentially a hybrid platform of "Xihe-class hull + Stellaria-class propulsion core." The hull measures approximately 83.4 m in overall length with a maximum diameter of 25 m at the artificial-gravity habitation ring, with nine major modules arranged sequentially along the central axis: forward docking hub, command center, artificial-gravity habitation module, static habitation module, central docking hub, greenhouse module, main storage module, truss section, and propulsion module.
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The key distinction from standard Xihe-class vessels is the propulsion system: Kristen's primary propulsion is the lightspeed engine (Stellaria-class standard), while all other systems -- including command center, habitation ring, living modules, greenhouse, docking interfaces, and life-support systems -- remain at Xihe-class standards. The ship is not capable of atmospheric re-entry or planetary landing; surface access is provided by two carried Echo shuttles. The ship accommodates a long-duration crew of 15 (up to 30 short-duration), with the artificial-gravity habitation ring producing approximately 0.41 g at roughly 4 RPM. For a complete description of design details, see the main Stellaria-class interplanetary exploration mothership article.
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The full Stellaria-class upgrade planned for September 2060 will add a second artificial-gravity habitation ring, a central extension section, cryo-sleep chambers, and enhanced radiation protection, extending overall length to approximately 125 m and achieving the same complete Stellaria-class specification as ST-01.
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Construction
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Initial construction: Xihe-class base mothership (2052-2053)
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Kristen's predecessor was the later-starting of the two "base motherships" laid down in parallel with Xihe (the other became ST-01). On 2052-01-14, the first module was delivered to LEO by an uncrewed Vulture Shuttle, initiating initial construction. As with XH-01 and ST-01, construction employed the "orbiter relay" method: an uncrewed orbiter on the first launch delivered the initial module and remained on orbit as the assembly platform, with subsequent crewed orbiters sequentially delivering new modules and relaying the platform role.
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By 2053-02-10, Kristen's initial construction had accumulated approximately 392 days. At this point the hull had completed primary structural mating and most cross-module connections, but the main propulsion system had not yet been installed. Unlike ST-01, Kristen's initial construction period was shorter (392 days vs. 871 days) -- primarily because ST-01 as the first base mothership received more early construction resources, while Kristen started approximately 4 months later, resulting in it not having reached the same completion level as ST-01 when construction was halted in February 2053. Specifically, ST-01 had 9 major modules installed (missing only the propulsion system), whereas Kristen had approximately 6-7 modules completed. This initial completion gap partly explains the significantly longer subsequent reconfiguration period (884 days vs. 352 days) -- Kristen needed to first backfill the missing Xihe-standard modules, then install the lightspeed engine.
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The following table records the key launches of the initial construction phase:
Final orbiter relay. Construction halted thereafter
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On 2053-02-10, the same strategic decision that affected ST-01 was applied to this vessel: rather than completing it as a standard Xihe-class mothership, it was transferred to the Stellaria Program to be equipped with the lightspeed engine. Construction was formally halted. Three months later (2053-05-12 -- just one day after ST-01's transfer), the hull was officially transferred to the Stellaria Program and entered the reconfiguration phase.
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Reconfiguration: Stellaria-class second ship (2053-2055)
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Kristen's reconfiguration commenced on 2053-05-12 at Star Port Station, lasting approximately 884 days and completing on 2055-10-13. This was the longest reconfiguration phase of any mothership -- approximately 2.5 times ST-01's 352 days. Three primary factors account for this difference:
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Lower initial completion level: Kristen had fewer modules installed when construction halted in February 2053, requiring approximately 2-3 Xihe-standard modules to be backfilled (including the artificial-gravity habitation ring and propulsion module base structure) before the lightspeed engine could be installed.
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Resource prioritization: During 2053-2054, the Stellaria Program's engineering resources and Qingtian cargo ship capacity were prioritized toward ST-01's reconfiguration to ensure the lead ship completed as early as possible. Kristen's reconfiguration only accelerated fully after ST-01's completion in April 2054.
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Lead-ship lessons learned: The engineering team deliberately leveraged ST-01's reconfiguration and trial-run data to optimize the lightspeed engine installation process, propulsion control interfaces, and Xihe/Stellaria system integration approach on Kristen.
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Reconfiguration work was supported by Qingtian cargo ships (LEO upmass capacity approximately 150 t) for large-module transport, with Star Port Station's resident engineering teams conducting orbital installation and testing. As with ST-01, the core change of this reconfiguration was the installation of the lightspeed engine -- all other systems remained at Xihe-class standards.
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Phase
Start
End
Duration
Activity
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Initial construction (Xihe-class base mothership)
2052-01-14
2053-02-10
~392 days
Vulture Shuttle orbiter relay, structural assembly and cross-module connections
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Construction halt
2053-02-10
2053-05-12
~91 days
Strategic decision and transfer preparation
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Reconfiguration (Stellaria-class second ship)
2053-05-12
2055-10-13
~884 days
Qingtian cargo transport, backfill of missing modules, lightspeed engine installation and testing
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Total
2052-01-14
2055-10-13
~1,367 days
From first module arrival to reconfiguration completion
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Testing and commissioning
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Kristen's testing phase began on the same day reconfiguration completed, proceeding through three stages:
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Trial Run (2055-10-13 to 2056-03-10, approximately 148 days): Conducted in lunar orbit. The trial run fully leveraged the lightspeed engine test data and operational procedures already accumulated by ST-01, enabling more comprehensive validation in a shorter timeframe. Key items included full-power-range lightspeed engine ignition tests, long-duration propulsion-to-Xihe-standard power bus compatibility verification, artificial-gravity habitation ring dynamic balance testing across the lightspeed engine thrust spectrum, and closed-loop life-support full-crew simulated operation.
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Deep Space Test (2056-03-10 to 2056-06-08, approximately 90 days): Kristen proceeded uncrewed to the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point, executing lightspeed engine deep-space autonomous flight validation. This was the second Stellaria-class mothership to conduct lightspeed engine testing at L2. The mission focused on verifying thermal control and navigation performance under sustained lightspeed engine operation at L2 distance, with systematic comparison against ST-01's deep space test data.
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Pre-commissioning Maintenance (2056-06-08 to 2056-11-19, approximately 164 days): After the deep space test, Kristen returned to LEO and docked at Star Port Station, where the engineering team applied system fine-tuning based on test data. Key items included coupled vibration assessment between the lightspeed engine and Xihe-class hull structure, deep integration of the command center navigation computer with lightspeed engine thrust models, and life-support flow parameter re-optimization for lightspeed engine operational characteristics. In November 2056, Kristen formally entered service.
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Operational history
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Since entering service in November 2056, Kristen has executed three major missions (including one in progress), focused on Mars and Jovian system construction and scientific exploration. The following details each mission phase in chronological order.
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Mars Expedition 1 (2056-11-19 to 2057-09-08)
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On 2056-11-19 -- mere days after entering service -- Kristen departed Earth in a crewed configuration for its first deep-space mission. With a 125 km/s injection (STANDARD TRANSFER trajectory), the ship completed the approximately 38-day transit and arrived at Mars orbit on 2056-12-27.
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Mars surface operations ran from 2056-12-27 to 2057-07-15, approximately 200 days. The mission's core objective was large-scale materiel resupply, crew rotation, and facility expansion support for Mars One Base. Kristen's crew accomplished the following major work during this period:
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Added two pressurized laboratory modules and an upgraded water-recovery facility
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Expanded the solar array and energy-storage system, increasing total base power generation by approximately 40%
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Conducted extensive Martian surface geological sampling and subsurface ice detection
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Collected long-duration Mars surface habitation crew physiological data
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This was Kristen's crew's first Mars surface mission and the second Mars mission executed by a Stellaria-class mothership (following ST-01's Mars One Construction Mission 2). Return transit began on 2057-07-15 with a 130 km/s injection departing Mars, completing the approximately 55-day voyage and arriving at Earth on 2057-09-08. Upon return, Kristen immediately entered a 28-day rapid maintenance cycle (2057-09-08 to 2057-10-06) to prepare for the imminent Europa mission.
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Europa Outpost Construction Mission 2 (2057-10-06 to 2058-11-08)
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On 2057-10-06, Kristen departed Earth with a 185 km/s injection (FAST TRANSFER trajectory) bound for the Jovian system. This was Kristen's first outer Solar System mission and the second Stellaria-class construction mission for Europa Outpost (following ST-01's first construction mission a year earlier). After approximately 58 days of cruise, Kristen arrived at the Jovian system on 2057-12-03.
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Kristen spent approximately 315 days in the Jovian system (2057-12-03 to 2058-10-13), executing the expansion and deepening of Europa Research Outpost:
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Outpost Phase 2 module installation: Towed and installed the outpost's second-phase pressurized modules, expanding usable living and working space by approximately 80%, with a new dedicated biosafety laboratory and sample-analysis facility.
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Deep subsurface ocean sounding: Deployed upgraded penetrating-radar arrays and active seismic sources, obtaining high-resolution data on Europa's deep ice-shell structure and subsurface ocean depth.
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Radiation shielding wall construction: Used in-situ Europa surface materials to build the first radiation shielding wall around the outpost, reducing habitation-zone radiation levels by approximately 60%.
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Outpost autonomous operation testing: Validated continuous autonomous power and life-support system reliability while the outpost operated in uncrewed mode.
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During this period, Kristen achieved cross-class coordination with Xihe (XH-01), which was simultaneously in the Jovian system executing Europa Expedition 1 -- Xihe focused on scientific exploration while Kristen focused on infrastructure construction. This complementary division of labor between the two ships established the template for future multi-class joint expedition operations.
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On 2058-10-13, Kristen departed the Jovian system for the return voyage with a 180 km/s injection, completing the approximately 26-day transit and arriving at Earth on 2058-11-08, docking at Star Port Station. This mission marked Europa Outpost's transition from initial construction phase to operational phase, providing critical infrastructure support for subsequent Europa expedition missions.
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Maintenance and Upgrades (2058-11-08 to 2059-04-06)
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Following completion of the Europa Outpost construction mission, Kristen began an approximately 149-day maintenance and upgrade cycle at Star Port Station on 2058-11-08. This was Kristen's first deep maintenance since entering service, with core projects including:
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Lightspeed engine comprehensive overhaul: Magnetic confinement field coil replacement, thrust-vector calibration system upgrade, and cooling-loop deep flushing. This overhaul drew heavily on ST-01's lightspeed engine maintenance data from before its Saturn mission.
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Radiation protection reinforcement: Additional composite shielding installed around the command center and habitation modules, providing higher radiation safety margin for subsequent long-duration Jovian system missions.
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Greenhouse module upgrade: Hydroponic system upgraded from single-zone to multi-zone rotational cultivation, with nutrient-loop efficiency improved by approximately 35%.
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Docking interface comprehensive overhaul: Forward main and lateral docking interface seal assemblies replaced, docking latch mechanisms fatigue-inspected and replaced.
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Xihe-class system life assessment: A comprehensive life assessment of life-support, power, and thermal-control systems still at Xihe-class standards, providing baseline data for the 2060-2061 full Stellaria-class upgrade.
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Europa Expedition 2 (2059-04-06 -- ongoing)
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Kristen Europa Expedition artist's impression placeholder
During Europa Expedition 2, Kristen maintains a safe mission orbit in the Jovian system while carried Echo shuttles handle crew rotation and scientific operations on Europa's surface.
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On 2059-04-06, the upgraded Kristen departed Earth with a 190 km/s injection (FAST TRANSFER trajectory) bound for the Jovian system to execute Europa Expedition 2. After approximately 60 days of cruise, Kristen arrived at the Jovian system on 2059-06-05.
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Europa Expedition 2 is Kristen's first Jovian mission with scientific exploration (rather than infrastructure construction) as the primary objective, and the first complete Europa expedition executed by a Stellaria-class mothership. The mission plan encompasses:
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Europa surface comprehensive scientific survey: Ice-shell drilling and sampling, subsurface ocean chemistry analysis, and geological structure mapping at multiple landing sites on Europa's surface.
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Europa Outpost crew rotation: Rotating the outpost's first long-duration habitation crew back to Earth with a new crew taking over.
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Io volcanic activity monitoring: Long-term continuous monitoring of Io's volcanic eruptions using Kristen's onboard sensor array and carried probes.
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Callisto surface reconnaissance: Orbital remote-sensing mapping of Callisto to assess its potential as an outer Solar System emergency refuge and future deep-space outpost waypoint.
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Jovian magnetosphere environment study: Particle and field data collection across different regions of the Jovian magnetosphere, providing radiation environment baselines for future Stellaria-class Jovian missions and vehicle design.
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Return departure from the Jovian system is planned for 2060-08-26. As of March 2060, Kristen is in the Jovian system executing Europa Expedition 2, with all systems operating nominally and crew in good condition.
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Phase
Start
End
Duration
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Earth-Jupiter transfer
2059-04-06
2059-06-05
~60 days
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Jovian system ops (ongoing)
2059-06-05
Planned 2060-08-26
~448 days
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Future plans: Full Stellaria-class upgrade (2060-2061)
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Following completion of Europa Expedition 2, Kristen is scheduled to begin a full Stellaria-class upgrade at Star Port Station on 2060-09-01. The upgrade is expected to last until 2061-06-30 (approximately 303 days), bringing Kristen to the same complete Stellaria-class specification achieved by ST-01 in its 2059-2060 upgrade. Planned upgrade projects include:
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Addition of a second artificial-gravity habitation ring, forming a dual-ring gradient-gravity configuration
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Installation of a central extension section providing additional laboratory space, cryo-sleep chambers, and redundant life-support capability
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Deployment of 12 cryo-sleep chambers
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Radiation protection comprehensive reinforcement to Stellaria-class standards
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Command center, docking systems, and carried-vehicle interfaces comprehensive refit to Stellaria-class standards
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Overall length extension to approximately 125 m
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Once upgraded, Kristen will join ST-01 to form a complete two-ship Stellaria-class fleet, significantly enhancing humanity's sustained presence and mission response capability in the outer Solar System.
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Current status: Active (post-maintenance, preparing for next assignment)
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Construction method: Qingtian cargo ships + Star Port Station assembly
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Namesake: Taibai (ancient Chinese name for Venus), symbolizing inner Solar System exploration
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Construction start: 2054-12-11
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Assembly complete: 2056-10-04
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Commissioning: 2056-11-11 to 2057-03-12
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Entered service: April 2057
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Current status: Active (Mars Expedition 4, Mars orbit, from 2060-02-28)
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Construction method: LEO assembly
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Home port: Star Port Station
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Taibai (designation XH-02) is the second ship of the Xihe-class interplanetary exploration mothership and the first Xihe-class vessel assembled at Star Port Station. Named after the ancient Chinese name for the planet Venus—"Taibai"—the name reflects the ship's specialization in inner Solar System and asteroid belt missions. Construction began in December 2054, assembly was completed in October 2056, and the ship was commissioned in April 2057. As of March 2060, Taibai is undergoing post-mission maintenance and preparing for its next assignment.
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Taibai (designation XH-02) is the second ship of the Xihe-class interplanetary exploration mothership. Taibai began construction on 2054-12-11, completed assembly on 2056-10-04, and entered service in April 2057. As of March 2060, Taibai is in Mars orbit executing Mars Expedition 4.
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Taibai follows the nine-module axial spine configuration of the Xihe class, integrating the Perseverance mass-driver propulsion system, an Ark cold-fusion reactor, closed-loop life support, an artificial-gravity habitation ring, and reinforced docking hardware. Compared with the lead ship Xihe (XH-01), Taibai incorporated operational lessons from XH-01's early missions, including improvements to the habitation module and upgraded radiation shielding. The ship is not capable of atmospheric re-entry or planetary landing; surface access is provided by carried Echo shuttles.
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Taibai's mission record emphasizes inner Solar System operations, covering the Vesta orbital survey and asteroid belt exploration, Mars expedition support, and Mars One Base resupply—validating the Xihe class's multi-ship production and coordination capabilities.
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Taibai is the first Xihe-class mothership to conduct an asteroid belt exploration mission (the 2057-2058 Asteroid Exploration Mission, which conducted orbital survey and surface sampling of Vesta), and the first to execute the Mars Expedition mission series. Since entering service, Taibai has completed three major deep-space missions.
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Design overview
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Taibai is the second Xihe-class ship, using an axial-spine multi-module cylindrical layout with an overall length of 83.4 m, a maximum diameter of 25 m at the artificial-gravity habitation ring, a full-load delta-v of about 1,700 km/s, and a maximum payload of 300 t. Functional zones are arranged along the central axis: forward docking hub, command center, artificial-gravity habitation ring, static habitation module, central docking hub, greenhouse module, main storage module, truss section, and propulsion module.
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As the second Xihe-class mothership, Taibai benefited from approximately two years of operational feedback from the lead ship Xihe (XH-01). The habitation module's ergonomic interfaces were refined, and radiation shielding received additional composite layers around the command center, living areas, and medical spaces. These improvements enhanced crew safety and comfort on long-duration missions while maintaining the same baseline configuration and delta-v specifications as the lead ship.
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Taibai's standard carried-vehicle configuration is two Echo shuttles, used for crew, sample, and light cargo transfer between the mothership and target body surfaces. The ship was the first Xihe-class vessel designated from the construction phase with an inner Solar System mission emphasis, focusing on Mars-system resupply, asteroid belt exploration, and rapid-response near-Earth operations.
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Construction
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Construction method and innovation
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Taibai was the first Xihe-class mothership assembled at Star Port Station, marking the class's transition from "Vulture Shuttle-based free-flying LEO assembly" to "orbital shipyard construction using Star Port Station and Qingtian cargo ships." This shift freed large-module transport and integration from shuttle cargo-bay size constraints, significantly improving construction efficiency and module integration precision.
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During construction, Qingtian cargo ships delivered the nine major modules, the artificial-gravity habitation ring, and other large structural components to Star Port Station in batches. The station's orbital shipyard facilities provided a stable assembly platform, environmental control, and maintenance support, allowing Taibai's construction timeline to improve on the lead ship Xihe's approximately 693-day build.
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Taibai's construction began on 2054-12-11 using low Earth orbit assembly. The construction period was approximately 22 months, with assembly completed on 2056-10-04, making it the second Xihe-class mothership to complete construction after Xihe. Assembly was conducted at Star Port Station using Qingtian cargo ships (LEO upmass capacity approximately 150 t) for large-module transport -- a fundamental shift from the Vulture Shuttle "orbiter relay" method used for the lead ship Xihe (XH-01). The Star Port dock-based assembly and Qingtian's large-module delivery capability reduced the construction cycle to 22 months, significantly shorter than Xihe's 23-month free-flying orbit assembly.
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Construction timeline
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After assembly, Taibai entered a post-assembly standby phase from 2056-10-04 to 2056-11-11 (38 days), then transitioned to the commissioning phase.
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Phase
Period
Main activity
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Phase
Start
End
Duration
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Construction start
December 2054
First structural module delivered to Star Port Station; orbital assembly initiated.
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Major assembly
January 2055 to August 2056
Nine modules, artificial-gravity ring, propulsion system, and docking hubs integrated sequentially.
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Full-ship integration
August to October 2056
Cross-module plumbing, power bus testing, life-support loop verification, and system-level checks.
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Assembly complete
October 2056
Major assembly took approximately 22 months; entered shakedown phase.
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Construction
2054-12-11
2056-10-04
~22 months
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Assembly complete (standby)
2056-10-04
2056-11-11
38 days
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Taibai's construction benefited significantly from XH-01's operational experience. Habitation module design improvements, radiation shielding upgrades, and docking hub assembly processes all directly applied data accumulated during Xihe's Deep Space Test Mission and Mars Mission Demonstration. Additionally, Star Port Station's shipyard environment allowed more comprehensive subsystem verification during the assembly phase, reducing the subsequent shakedown workload.
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Commissioning
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Taibai began its commissioning phase on 2056-11-11, lasting approximately 4 months and completing on 2057-03-12. Commissioning covered Earth orbit systems checks, Earth-Moon transfer, and lunar orbit operational validation. After commissioning, Taibai underwent pre-service maintenance from 2057-03-12 to 2057-04-25, then formally entered service in April 2057.
Operational history
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Shakedown (November 2056 to March 2057)
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Taibai began a five-month orbital shakedown in November 2056, covering low Earth orbit, geostationary orbit maneuvers, and lunar orbit round trips. The shakedown phase validated structural integrity, propulsion response, artificial-gravity ring dynamic balance, long-duration life-support capability, and ship-wide thermal control stability. All systems passed validation, with thermal control, communications, and propulsion performance meeting or exceeding design targets.
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During shakedown, Taibai also completed its first docking test with Star Port Station, verifying the forward docking hub and central docking hub performance in structural locking, power, thermal control, and data transfer. These tests established the operational baseline for routine mothership servicing and maintenance at Star Port Station. Shakedown concluded in March 2057, and Taibai was formally commissioned in April 2057.
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Asteroid Exploration Mission (2057-2058)
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The Asteroid Exploration Mission (AEM) was Taibai's first deep-space mission after entering service, and the first time a Xihe-class mothership entered the asteroid belt to execute a scientific exploration mission.
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Vesta Mission (May 2057 to January 2058)
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In May 2057, Taibai departed low Earth orbit on the Xihe class's first asteroid belt mission—Vesta orbital survey and surface sample collection. This was the first Xihe-class mission beyond Mars orbit into the asteroid belt, and humanity's first crewed orbital survey and surface sampling of Vesta.
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During the roughly eight-month round trip, Taibai completed detailed Vesta orbital mapping, surface sample collection, and asteroid-belt deep-space environment assessment. Two carried Echo shuttles handled surface team descent and return, while the mothership remained in a safe orbit for telemetry monitoring, sample reception, and preliminary analysis. The mission validated Xihe-class operations under asteroid-belt radiation conditions, micrometeoroid risk, and extended communication delays.
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In January 2058, Taibai returned to Earth with Vesta samples, which were transferred to near-Earth orbital laboratories for detailed analysis. The Vesta mission's success proved that Xihe-class motherships were capable of asteroid-belt deep-space operations, expanding the class's mission envelope from the Mars system to the wider inner Solar System.
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Taibai departed Earth on 2057-05-04 with a standard transfer trajectory injection, and after 74 days of heliocentric transfer arrived at Vesta on 2057-07-17. Vesta surface operations lasted approximately 5.5 months (to 2058-01-04), completing orbital mapping, surface sample collection, and geological analysis. After the mission, Taibai departed Vesta on 2058-01-04 and, after approximately 3.5 months of return heliocentric transfer, arrived at Earth on 2058-04-17.
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Mission parameter
Value
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Phase
Start
End
Duration
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Departure
May 2057
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Return
January 2058
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Mission duration
Approximately 8 months
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Primary objectives
Vesta orbital survey, surface sampling, asteroid-belt environment assessment
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Carried vehicles
Two Echo shuttles
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Outbound transfer
2057-05-04
2057-07-17
74 days
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Vesta operations
2057-07-17
2058-01-04
~171 days
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Return transfer
2058-01-04
2058-04-17
~103 days
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Mars Expedition 3 (April 2058 to December 2058)
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In April 2058, Taibai executed Mars Expedition 3, conducting crew rotation and resupply transport to Mars One Base. The mission's core objective was delivering a new rotation of construction crew, supplies, and expansion equipment to Mars One Base while returning the previous resident crew to Earth.
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Taibai carried two Echo shuttles for crew and cargo ferry between the mothership and the Martian surface. The mothership remained in high Mars orbit while Echo shuttles handled surface rotation, supply unloading, and sample loading. The mission lasted approximately nine months, concluding with a return to Earth in December 2058. Mars Expedition 3's success cemented Taibai's position as a trunk-line platform for Mars base expansion.
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Mars Expedition 3 (2058-2059)
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Mars Expedition 3 (ME-3) was Taibai's first Mars mission. Taibai arrived at Mars orbit on 2058-04-17 directly after returning from the asteroid mission, without a separate outbound transfer phase (the ship transitioned directly from the AEM return into ME-3).
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Mars Expedition 4 (October 2059 to January 2060)
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In October 2059, Taibai returned to Mars for Mars Expedition 4, with the primary objective of supporting Mars One Base expansion. This mission coincided with the critical surface expansion phase of Mars One Campus Alpha; Taibai delivered structural trusses, greenhouse components, and support supplies that were essential for the base's phased construction.
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Taibai completed Mars Expedition 4 and returned to Earth in January 2060. The mission validated the continuous resupply coordination model between Xihe-class motherships and Martian surface bases, further demonstrating the feasibility of multi-mothership rotational support for Mars base construction.
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Mars surface operations lasted approximately 12.5 months (2058-04-17 to 2059-05-04), providing materiel resupply, crew rotation, and facility expansion support for Mars One Base. After mission completion, Taibai returned in uncrewed mode: departing on 2059-05-04, and after approximately 2 months of heliocentric transfer, arriving at Earth on 2059-07-06. It then underwent approximately 1 month of maintenance at Star Port Station from 2059-07-06 to 2059-08-04.
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Current status (March 2060)
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As of March 2060, Taibai has completed post-Mars Expedition 4 maintenance and is undergoing system inspections and servicing in preparation for its next assignment. Maintenance work is being conducted at Star Port Station, covering propulsion system inspection, docking hub seal replacement, life-support loop servicing, thermal control system calibration, and carried-vehicle interface checks. Taibai remains in good active service condition and is one of the most steadily-operating platforms in the Xihe-class fleet.
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Mars Expedition 4 (2059-2060, ongoing)
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Mars Expedition 4 (ME-4) is Taibai's current third Mars mission. The mission is divided into two phases:
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Phase 1 (August to November 2059): Taibai departed on 2059-08-04 and, after approximately 81 days of transfer, entered Mars orbit on 2059-10-24. Phase 1 Mars surface operations lasted only approximately 11 days (to 2059-11-04). During this period Taibai also executed the ME-3 return mission (heliocentric transfer from 2059-11-04 to 2060-01-06).
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Taibai then returned to LEO for brief maintenance (2060-01-06 to 2060-02-17), and executed an uncrewed cargo outbound mission from 2060-01-22 to 2060-02-27. After maintenance, Taibai transitioned to Phase 2 Mars operations: re-entering Mars orbit on 2060-02-28 for planetary surface operations expected to continue until 2060-10-30. As of 2060-03-12, Taibai is in Mars orbit executing the ME-4 Phase 2 mission.
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Mission
Period
Main activity
Status
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Phase
Start
End
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Shakedown
2056-11 to 2057-03
LEO, GEO, and lunar orbit tests; full system validation.
Complete
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Vesta Mission
2057-05 to 2058-01
Vesta orbital survey, surface sampling, asteroid-belt environment assessment.
Complete
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Mars Expedition 3
2058-04 to 2058-12
Mars One Base crew rotation and resupply transport.
Complete
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Mars Expedition 4
2059-10 to 2060-01
Mars One Base expansion support; structural truss and greenhouse component delivery.
Complete
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Post-mission maintenance
2060-01 to 2060-03
Comprehensive Star Port Station maintenance and system inspection.
500,000 s standard mode; 250,000 s high-thrust mode
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Full-load delta-v
About 1,700 km/s with 300 t payload
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Maximum payload
300 t including surface vehicles and supplies
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Long-duration crew
15
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Short-duration crew
30
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Artificial gravity
About 0.41 g from the rotating habitation ring
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Carried vehicles
Typically two Echo shuttles, or an Echo plus Amalthea-type compatible vehicle mix
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Construction method
Qingtian cargo ships + Star Port Station assembly
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Build duration
Approximately 22 months (Dec 2054 to Oct 2056)
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Carried vehicles
Two Echo shuttles
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Home port
Star Port Station
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Fleet role
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Within the Xihe-class fleet, Taibai is positioned as the primary platform for inner Solar System and Mars-system missions. Unlike the lead ship Xihe (emphasizing technology validation and outer Solar System expeditions) and the third ship Changxi (emphasizing deep-space communications relay deployment), Taibai's mission record concentrates on Mars base resupply, asteroid belt exploration, and near-Earth rapid response, reflecting the Xihe class's flexible division of labor across multiple mission directions.
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Taibai was the first Xihe-class ship to extend the class's mission range into the asteroid belt (Vesta Mission, 2057-2058) and consecutively executed Mars Expeditions 3 and 4, establishing the ship as the core Mars base trunk-line resupply platform. Among the three active Xihe-class ships, Taibai has maintained the most consistent operational tempo and accumulated extensive Mars-system operations and asteroid-belt deep-space experience.
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As of March 2060, the Xihe-class fleet has three active ships (XH-01 Xihe, XH-02 Taibai, XH-03 Changxi) and one under construction (XH-04). Taibai is in post-mission maintenance and is expected to resume inner Solar System and Mars-system missions after servicing is complete.
Construction method: Qingtian cargo ships + Star Port Station assembly
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Namesake: Changxi (moon charioteer goddess in Chinese mythology), symbolizing the transition from cislunar space to deep space
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Construction start: 2058-02-15
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Assembly complete: 2059-12-09
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Commissioning: 2060-01-14 to 2060-06-09 (ongoing)
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Current status: In commissioning (March 2060)
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Construction method: LEO assembly
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Changxi (designation XH-03) is the third ship of the Xihe-class interplanetary exploration mothership and the first Xihe-class vessel purpose-modified for deep-space communications relay missions. Named after Changxi, the moon charioteer goddess in Chinese mythology, the name reflects the ship's role bridging cislunar space and deep-space operations. Construction began in February 2056 and assembly was completed in December 2059, making Changxi the longest-build Xihe-class ship at approximately 46 months. As of March 2060, Changxi is in its shakedown phase and is expected to be formally commissioned in June 2060.
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Changxi follows the nine-module axial spine configuration of the Xihe class, integrating the Perseverance mass-driver propulsion system, an Ark cold-fusion reactor, closed-loop life support, an artificial-gravity habitation ring, and reinforced docking hardware. Compared with its sister ships, Changxi's most distinctive feature is an enhanced deep-space communications suite integrated during construction, making it the first Xihe-class platform purpose-built for Jupiter relay network deployment and deep-space communications infrastructure support.
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Changxi's construction overlapped with operations of XH-01 Xihe and XH-02 Taibai, and the resource allocation required for three concurrent ships significantly extended its build time. However, this extended period also allowed the construction team to fully incorporate operational feedback from the first two ships into Changxi's design, achieving the highest level of systems integration in the Xihe class, particularly in communications, life support, and data management. The ship is not capable of atmospheric re-entry or planetary landing; surface access is provided by carried Echo shuttles.
+
Changxi (designation XH-03) is the third ship of the Xihe-class interplanetary exploration mothership. Changxi began construction on 2058-02-15, completed assembly on 2059-12-09, and entered the commissioning phase on 2060-01-14. As of March 2060, Changxi is undergoing commissioning tests and is expected to complete on 2060-06-09, after which it will transition to pre-service maintenance. Changxi has no deep-space mission record yet.
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Design overview
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Changxi is the third Xihe-class ship, using an axial-spine multi-module cylindrical layout with an overall length of 83.4 m, a maximum diameter of 25 m at the artificial-gravity habitation ring, a full-load delta-v of about 1,700 km/s, and a maximum payload of 300 t. Functional zones are arranged along the central axis: forward docking hub, command center, artificial-gravity habitation ring, static habitation module, central docking hub, greenhouse module, main storage module, truss section, and propulsion module.
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Changxi's most prominent design feature is its enhanced deep-space communications suite, integrated during construction rather than added as a post-build modification. The suite includes a high-gain deep-space communications antenna array, multi-band relay transceivers, laser communications terminals, and dedicated data processing units, providing stable communications relay capability at Jupiter distances and beyond. Unlike standard Xihe-class ships that would require mission-specific communications equipment to be added later, Changxi's suite was pre-installed in the truss section and central docking hub, fully integrated with the ship's power, thermal control, and data buses.
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Beyond the communications enhancement, Changxi comprehensively benefits from XH-01 and XH-02 operational experience: the habitation module uses the same improved configuration as Taibai, radiation shielding is further thickened in critical areas, and the water-recycling system achieves a closed-loop recovery rate above 97%. These improvements give Changxi greater autonomy and survivability for Jupiter-system high-radiation environments and long-duration communications relay missions.
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Construction
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Background and challenges
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Changxi began construction at Star Port Station in February 2056, the second Xihe-class ship assembled at the station (after Taibai). The construction period coincided with the peak of XH-01's Mars expeditions and Jovian-system missions, as well as XH-02's Vesta mission and Mars expeditions. Running three ships concurrently placed significant strain on personnel, materiel, and Star Port Station's shipyard resources.
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This resource dispersion is directly reflected in the build time: from February 2056 to December 2059, approximately 46 months—the longest Xihe-class construction to date. However, the extended construction period was not without value—it gave the build team ample time to incorporate the latest operational data from XH-01 and XH-02 into Changxi's design. Integrating the communications suite during construction rather than as a retrofit avoided the structural interference and system conflicts that a post-build modification might have caused.
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Changxi's construction relied on Qingtian cargo ships for large-module transport and Star Port Station for assembly platform and integration environment. The Jupiter relay communications equipment—including the high-gain antenna array, relay transceivers, and laser communications terminals—was integrated during the truss-section assembly phase, with waveguides, power feeds, and data links pre-routed along the ship's axis, forming an organic whole with the ship's systems.
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Changxi's construction began on 2058-02-15 using low Earth orbit assembly, with a construction period of approximately 22 months. Construction proceeded in parallel with Taibai (XH-02)'s operational missions and the Stellaria-class construction program. Like Taibai, Changxi was assembled at Star Port Station using Qingtian cargo ships for large-module transport. Changxi completed assembly on 2059-12-09, and formally began commissioning on 2060-01-14.
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Construction timeline
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Phase
Period
Main activity
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Phase
Start
End
Duration
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Construction start
February 2056
First structural module delivered to Star Port Station; construction initiated.
Cross-module verification, full system inspection, end-to-end communications link testing.
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Assembly complete
December 2059
Major assembly took approximately 46 months; entered shakedown phase.
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Construction
2058-02-15
2059-12-09
~22 months
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Assembly complete (standby)
2059-12-09
2060-01-14
36 days
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Commissioning (ongoing)
2060-01-14
Expected 2060-06-09
~146 days
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Commissioning
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Changxi began its commissioning phase on 2060-01-14, planned to last approximately 146 days, covering comprehensive Earth orbit systems checks, cislunar space maneuver validation, and deep-space communications testing. As of 2060-03-12, commissioning is in progress. After expected completion on 2060-06-09, Changxi will transition to pre-service maintenance before formal entry into service.
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Operational history
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Shakedown (January 8, 2060 to April 12, 2060, planned)
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Changxi began its shakedown phase at Star Port Station on January 8, 2060, with a planned duration of approximately three months (to April 12, 2060). The shakedown is divided into three stages designed to comprehensively validate all ship systems and the real-world performance of the enhanced deep-space communications suite.
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Earth orbit and GEO tests (January to February 2060)
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The first shakedown stage focused on low Earth orbit and geostationary orbit maneuver tests. Changxi completed full-thrust-profile propulsion validation, artificial-gravity ring rotation tests, long-duration life-support system evaluation, and ship-wide thermal control response testing. During this stage, the deep-space communications suite completed end-to-end link calibration with Star Port Station and ground control centers, along with validation of multiple communications mode switching.
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Lunar orbit round trip (February to March 2060)
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The second stage targeted lunar orbit, validating Changxi's Earth-Moon transfer capability and long-range navigation performance. Changxi departed from low Earth orbit, completed Earth-Moon transfer, lunar orbit insertion, and return maneuvers. This stage also tested the communications antenna array's pointing accuracy and relay forwarding capability at Earth-Moon distances, accumulating baseline data for subsequent Jupiter-distance communications missions.
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Deep-space communications relay tests (March to April 2060)
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The third stage is a dedicated deep-space communications relay test, which began in March 2060. Test items include multi-band relay forwarding, laser communications terminal long-distance lock stability, communications link interference resistance, and autonomous protocol switching under simulated Jupiter-distance communications delays. This stage is the core validation element of Changxi's shakedown, directly determining the technical readiness for the subsequent Jupiter relay network deployment mission.
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As of March 2060, Changxi's shakedown is progressing on schedule. All test objectives for the first two stages have been met, and the deep-space communications relay tests are in progress. After shakedown concludes, Changxi is expected to be formally commissioned in June 2060.
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Shakedown stage
Period
Content
Status
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Earth orbit and GEO tests
2060-01 to 2060-02
Propulsion validation, life-support evaluation, communications link calibration.
After commissioning, Changxi will undertake two primary mission directions: Jupiter relay communications network deployment and Europa Outpost support.
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Jupiter relay communications network deployment
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Changxi's core mission is deploying a relay communications satellite network in the Jovian system. This network will cover communications links between Jupiter's major moons (Europa, Io, Ganymede, and Callisto) and Earth, providing stable, lower-latency communications infrastructure for subsequent long-duration Jovian-system scientific expeditions, Europa Outpost operations, and crewed missions. Changxi's enhanced deep-space communications suite allows it to simultaneously serve as network coordination node and communications test platform during relay satellite deployment.
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Network deployment is expected to proceed in phases: first, backbone node satellites will be placed in high Jupiter orbit; next, local relay stations will be positioned around the major moons; finally, network interconnection and end-to-end validation will be completed. Throughout the deployment process, Changxi will serve as a mobile command and control center, handling satellite release, orbital calibration, link establishment, and network integration.
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Europa Outpost support
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Changxi's second mission direction is providing communications and logistics support for Europa Research Outpost. As the first Xihe-class ship purpose-optimized for deep-space communications relay, Changxi can provide high-bandwidth relay links between the outpost and Earth while using its mothership-class platform for cargo transfer, crew rotation, and emergency evacuation capability.
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Changxi is the first Xihe-class ship designated from the design phase with deep-space communications infrastructure as its primary mission direction. This role complements XH-01 (emphasizing technology validation and outer Solar System expeditions) and XH-02 (emphasizing inner Solar System and Mars-system missions), reflecting the Xihe-class fleet's diversified development in mission specialization.
500,000 s standard mode; 250,000 s high-thrust mode
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Full-load delta-v
About 1,700 km/s with 300 t payload
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Maximum payload
300 t including surface vehicles and supplies
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Long-duration crew
15
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Short-duration crew
30
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Artificial gravity
About 0.41 g from the rotating habitation ring
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Carried vehicles
Typically two Echo shuttles, or an Echo plus Amalthea-type compatible vehicle mix
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Communications system
Enhanced deep-space communications suite (high-gain antenna array, multi-band relay transceivers, laser communications terminals, dedicated data processing units)
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Construction method
Qingtian cargo ships + Star Port Station assembly
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Build duration
Approximately 46 months (Feb 2056 to Dec 2059)
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Carried vehicles
Two Echo shuttles
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Home port
Star Port Station
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Fleet role
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Within the Xihe-class fleet, Changxi is positioned as the dedicated platform for deep-space communications infrastructure and Jupiter-system relay network deployment. Unlike the lead ship Xihe (multi-role comprehensive validation and outer Solar System expeditions) and the second ship Taibai (inner Solar System and Mars-system workhorse), Changxi's mission direction centers on communications relay, representing the Xihe class's evolution from general-purpose motherships toward mission-specialized platforms.
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Changxi's enhanced deep-space communications suite gives it unique mission advantages among the three Xihe-class ships: in distant mission scenarios such as the Jovian system, Changxi can not only perform mothership-class transport and support missions but also simultaneously serve as a mobile relay communications node, substantially enhancing communications capability and network redundancy in the mission area. This role is critically important for subsequent large-scale Jovian-system scientific expeditions and Europa Outpost expansion.
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As of March 2060, the Xihe-class fleet has three active ships (XH-01 Xihe is in the Jovian system on Europa Expedition 3; XH-02 Taibai is in post-mission maintenance; XH-03 Changxi is in shakedown) and one under construction (XH-04). Changxi will soon become the fourth Xihe-class mothership to enter operations, and its communications relay specialization will significantly enhance humanity's sustained presence capability in the Jovian system.