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 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 VS-02 Perseverance mass-driver propulsion system serving as backup.
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.
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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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 VS-02 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.
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.
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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Reconfiguration work commenced on 2053-05-11 in low Earth orbit, 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 LEO by Vulture Shuttles (by this time in the Block 1.5 era at 24 flights/year per orbiter) 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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It is crucial to emphasize that this reconfiguration's core change was the replacement of the Xihe-class VS-02 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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Reconfiguration work was handled entirely by Vulture Shuttles. Since the lightspeed engine core components could be transported in disassembled form within the Vulture payload bay, no super-heavy launch vehicle assistance was required. The following table records the key launches of the reconfiguration phase:
Final orbiter relay. Construction halted thereafter
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.
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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Kristen's reconfiguration commenced on 2053-05-12 in low Earth orbit, 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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Lower initial completion level: Kristen had fewer modules installed when construction halted in February 2053 (roughly 6-7 modules vs. ST-01's 9), 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 Vulture Shuttle fleet's resources were prioritized toward ST-01's reconfiguration to ensure the lead ship completed as early as possible. Kristen's reconfiguration only received sufficient orbiter resources and entered its full acceleration phase after ST-01's completion in April 2054.
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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As with the initial construction phase, all reconfiguration work was carried out by Vulture Shuttles (Block 1.5, 24 flights/year per orbiter). Kristen's reconfiguration proceeded in two phases: Phase 1 (May 2053 to April 2054) focused on backfilling missing Xihe-standard modules at a slower pace with only 2 launches, as ST-01's reconfiguration took priority; Phase 2 (April 2054 to October 2055), after ST-01's completion freed up orbiter resources, accelerated to 6 launches. The reconfiguration totaled 8 Vulture launches -- more than ST-01's 5 reconfiguration launches, compensating for the module shortfall from the shorter initial construction phase. The following table records the key launches:
Final integration test equipment + static fire preparation kit
Final reconfiguration launch; subsequent system integration and static testing conducted on the ship
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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. Kristen's construction totaled 13 Vulture launches (5 initial + 8 reconfiguration), comparable to ST-01's 14 launches (9 initial + 5 reconfiguration), reflecting the Stellaria Program's strategy of flexibly allocating orbiter resources across different phases based on prevailing conditions.
Phase
Start
End
Duration
Activity
Initial construction (Xihe-class base mothership)
2052-01-14
2053-02-10
~392 days
Vulture Shuttle orbiter relay, structural assembly and cross-module connections
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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Reconfiguration (Stellaria-class second ship)
2053-05-12
2055-10-13
~884 days
Vulture Shuttle orbiter relay, 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 (13 Vulture launches total)
Testing and commissioning
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Current length
Approximately 83.4 m (post-upgrade: ~125 m)
Current max diameter
25 m (artificial-gravity habitation ring); post-upgrade: 30 m (dual rings)
Primary propulsion
Lightspeed engine (Stellaria-class standard)
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Backup propulsion
Perseverance mass-driver propulsion system (Xihe-class standard)
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Backup propulsion
VS-02 Perseverance mass-driver propulsion system (Xihe-class standard)
Main reactor
Ark cold-fusion reactor, approximately 8 TW output class
Full-load delta-v
Approximately 2,200 km/s with 300 t payload (lightspeed engine)
Current status: Xihe at Jupiter system, Europa Expedition 3 (ongoing)
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The Xihe-class interplanetary exploration mothership is a first-generation large crewed mothership designed for long-range operations inside the Solar System. Named after Xihe, the solar deity in Chinese mythology, the class supports scientific expeditions, off-world base construction, crew rotation, and deep-space technology validation around Mars, the Jovian moons, and other target bodies. As of March 2060, the lead ship Xihe (XH-01) is in the Jovian system on Europa Expedition 3, continuing deep-space exploration and base-support duties. As of March 2060, the Xihe class has three active ships (Xihe, Taibai (XH-02), Changxi (XH-03)) and one under construction (XH-04). The lead ship Xihe is currently executing Europa Expedition 3 in the Jovian system.
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The Xihe-class interplanetary exploration mothership is a first-generation large crewed mothership designed for long-range operations inside the Solar System. Named after Xihe, the solar deity in Chinese mythology, the class supports scientific expeditions, off-world base construction, crew rotation, and deep-space technology validation around Mars, the Jovian moons, and other target bodies. As of March 2060, the lead ship Xihe (XH-01) is in the Jovian system on Europa Expedition 3. Taibai (XH-02) has completed construction and is undergoing its trial run. Changxi (XH-03) remains under construction. The status of XH-04 is to be verified.
The class uses an axial modular configuration with a mass-driver main propulsion system, an Ark cold-fusion reactor, closed-loop life support, an artificial-gravity habitation ring, scientific facilities, a greenhouse module, and reinforced docking hardware. It is not capable of atmospheric re-entry or planetary landing. Surface access and short-range target-system transport are handled by carried ferry shuttles and surface vehicles.
Before the Stellaria class entered service, Xihe-class motherships served as the main platform for multiple interplanetary missions. Xihe was assembled in low Earth orbit from 2050 to 2052 and subsequently supported Mars-orbit validation, Mars base construction, Europa outpost construction, and Jovian-system scientific operations. The class provided the operational foundation for later interplanetary exploration motherships.
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The Xihe class is a large crewed mothership class designed for Mars and Jovian system exploration. The lead ship, Xihe (XH-01), was completed and commissioned in 2052. Subsequent ships Taibai (XH-02) and Changxi (XH-03) continue the class design with distinct mission specializations.
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The Xihe class is a large crewed mothership class designed for Mars and Jovian system exploration. The lead ship, Xihe (XH-01), was completed and commissioned in 2052. Taibai (XH-02) completed construction in July 2059 and, as of March 2060, is in its trial run phase. Changxi (XH-03) began construction in February 2056 and, as of March 2060, remains under construction.