210 lines
26 KiB
HTML
210 lines
26 KiB
HTML
<style>
|
|
.wiki-article { max-width: 1180px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 24px 32px 48px; color: #202122; background: #fff; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.65; }
|
|
.wiki-article h1, .wiki-article h2 { font-family: "Linux Libertine", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal; border-bottom: 1px solid #a2a9b1; }
|
|
.wiki-article h1 { margin: 0 0 8px; font-size: 2.15em; line-height: 1.25; }
|
|
.wiki-article h2 { clear: both; margin: 1.35em 0 0.6em; padding-bottom: 0.18em; font-size: 1.55em; }
|
|
.wiki-article h3 { margin: 1.05em 0 0.35em; font-size: 1.18em; font-weight: bold; }
|
|
.wiki-article p { margin: 0.45em 0 0.85em; }
|
|
.wiki-article a { color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; }
|
|
.wiki-article a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }
|
|
.wiki-article ul, .wiki-article ol { margin: 0.35em 0 0.9em 1.65em; padding: 0; }
|
|
.wiki-article li { margin-bottom: 0.18em; }
|
|
.wiki-article .infobox { float: right; clear: right; width: 330px; margin: 0 0 18px 24px; border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; border-collapse: collapse; background: #f8f9fa; font-size: 88%; line-height: 1.45; }
|
|
.wiki-article .infobox caption { padding: 8px; background: #eaecf0; border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; border-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.12em; }
|
|
.wiki-article .infobox caption span { display: block; font-size: 0.92em; font-weight: normal; }
|
|
.wiki-article .infobox td { border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; padding: 6px 8px; vertical-align: top; }
|
|
.wiki-article .image-placeholder { min-height: 150px; border: 1px dashed #72777d; background: #eaecf0; color: #54595d; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; padding: 10px; text-align: center; box-sizing: border-box; }
|
|
.wiki-article .infobox .image-placeholder { min-height: 185px; }
|
|
.wiki-article .thumb { width: 270px; border: 1px solid #c8ccd1; background: #f8f9fa; padding: 3px; font-size: 88%; line-height: 1.4; box-sizing: border-box; }
|
|
.wiki-article .tright { float: right; clear: right; margin: 0.35em 0 1em 1.4em; }
|
|
.wiki-article .thumbcaption { padding: 4px 3px 2px; text-align: left; color: #202122; }
|
|
.wiki-article .toc { display: inline-block; min-width: 260px; margin: 0.45em 0 1.2em; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; background: #f8f9fa; font-size: 92%; }
|
|
.wiki-article .toc-title { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px; }
|
|
.wiki-article .toc ol { margin: 0 0 0 1.5em; }
|
|
.wiki-article > table:not(.infobox) { width: 100%; margin: 1em 0; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 92%; background: #fff; }
|
|
.wiki-article > table:not(.infobox) th, .wiki-article > table:not(.infobox) td { border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; padding: 6px 8px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; }
|
|
.wiki-article > table:not(.infobox) th { background: #eaecf0; font-weight: bold; }
|
|
.wiki-article > table:not(.infobox) tr:nth-child(even) td { background: #f8f9fa; }
|
|
.wiki-article .gallery-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr)); gap: 12px; margin: 1em 0; }
|
|
.wiki-article .gallery-item { border: 1px solid #c8ccd1; background: #f8f9fa; padding: 3px; font-size: 88%; line-height: 1.4; box-sizing: border-box; }
|
|
.wiki-article .gallery-item .image-placeholder { min-height: 180px; }
|
|
@media (max-width: 820px) { .wiki-article { padding: 18px 16px 36px; } .wiki-article .infobox, .wiki-article .thumb { float: none; width: 100%; margin: 0.75em 0 1em; } .wiki-article .toc { display: block; } }
|
|
@media (max-width: 920px) { .wiki-article .gallery-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }
|
|
</style>
|
|
<article class="mw-parser-output wiki-article">
|
|
<h1 id="xihe-class-interplanetary-exploration-mothership">Xihe-class interplanetary exploration mothership</h1>
|
|
<table class="infobox">
|
|
<caption>Xihe-class interplanetary exploration mothership<span>Xihe class</span></caption>
|
|
<tbody>
|
|
<tr><td><div class="image-placeholder">Xihe-class side-view image placeholder</div><div class="thumbcaption">The Xihe class uses a long axial spine, with habitation, docking, greenhouse, storage, truss, and propulsion modules arranged along the central axis.</div></td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Type</b>: Crewed interplanetary exploration mothership</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Lead ship</b>: Xihe (XH-01)</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Construction period</b>: Early 2050s onward</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Main roles</b>: Mars-system operations, Jovian-moon operations, and off-world base support</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Main facilities</b>: Artificial-gravity habitation ring, greenhouse module, central docking hub, main storage module</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Length</b>: 83.4 m</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Maximum diameter</b>: 25 m at the artificial-gravity habitation ring</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Long-duration crew</b>: 15</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Short-duration crew</b>: 30</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Maximum payload</b>: 300 t</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Typical carried vehicles</b>: Two Echo shuttles or other compatible ferry shuttles</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Propulsion</b>: Perseverance mass-driver propulsion system</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Full-load delta-v</b>: About 1700 km/s</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td><b>Successor</b>: Stellaria class</td></tr>
|
|
</tbody></table>
|
|
|
|
<p>The <b>Xihe-class interplanetary exploration mothership</b> 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.</p>
|
|
<p>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.</p>
|
|
<p>Before the Stellaria class entered service, Xihe-class motherships served as the main platform for multiple interplanetary missions. XH-01 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.</p>
|
|
<p>The Xihe class refers both to the class led by XH-01 and to the technical lineage used by later XH-numbered motherships. XH-02 Taibai and XH-03 Changxi continued the class in Mars-base supply, Star Port servicing, and deep-space infrastructure support.</p>
|
|
|
|
<nav class="toc" aria-label="Contents">
|
|
<div class="toc-title">Contents</div>
|
|
<ol>
|
|
<li><a href="#development-background">Development background</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#design-and-configuration">Design and configuration</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#major-modules">Major modules</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#ferry-shuttles-and-external-berthing">Ferry shuttles and external berthing</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#mission-operations-system">Mission operations system</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#construction-and-development">Construction and development</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#operational-history">Operational history</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#maintenance-and-upgrades">Maintenance and upgrades</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#mission-role">Mission role</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#safety-and-operating-constraints">Safety and operating constraints</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#specifications">Specifications</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#fleet-and-successors">Fleet and successors</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#images">Images</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#see-also">See also</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</nav>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="development-background">Development background</h2>
|
|
<p>The Xihe class emerged from the need to support off-world base construction and high-energy orbital transport beyond the range of ordinary shuttle operations. By the late 2030s and 2040s, Vulture shuttles had made large orbital modules and crewed support missions routine, but their main role remained transportation between Earth, orbital assembly zones, lunar orbit, and major facilities. Mars bases, Europa outposts, and outer-planet science missions required a large platform able to cross interplanetary distances, sustain a crew, tow or carry support vehicles, and operate as a mission-control center.</p>
|
|
<p>Early concepts compared single deep-space spacecraft, reusable transfer stages, orbital-station-plus-tug arrangements, and large exploration motherships. The final design adopted the mothership approach, integrating propulsion, power, habitation, science, storage, and carried-vehicle support into one reusable platform.</p>
|
|
<p>The class was optimized for stability and maintainability rather than short-duration high-speed raids. It had to keep life support, attitude control, communications, thermal control, and docking systems reliable over mission cycles lasting months to years, while supporting surface teams, ferry shuttles, and off-world bases.</p>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="design-and-configuration">Design and configuration</h2>
|
|
<p>The Xihe class has a long axial-spine layout, with major modules arranged along a central line. This configuration transfers main-engine thrust through the structural axis and reduces bending loads when large vehicles or externally berthed craft are attached. Its controlled cross-section also reduces exposure to micrometeoroid and debris impacts.</p>
|
|
<p>The primary functional areas include a 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. Standardized mechanical, electrical, fluid, and data interfaces allow in-orbit maintenance and partial replacement.</p>
|
|
<p>External observation relies primarily on distributed optical sensors, docking-hub observation ports, and remote instruments rather than large windows. Radiation protection uses layered shielding, with extra protection around the command center, living areas, and medical spaces.</p>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="major-modules">Major modules</h2>
|
|
<figure class="thumb tright"><div class="image-placeholder">Module layout image placeholder</div><figcaption class="thumbcaption">Xihe-class modules are arranged along the central axis, with docking and command systems forward, habitation and storage in the middle, and truss and propulsion systems aft.</figcaption></figure>
|
|
<table>
|
|
<thead><tr><th>Module</th><th>Function</th><th>Design notes</th></tr></thead>
|
|
<tbody>
|
|
<tr><td>Forward docking hub</td><td>Docking, towing, and external berthing</td><td>Includes a 2.5 m primary port and four retractable lateral ports for high-load berthing.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Command center</td><td>Navigation, communications, flight control, and mission command</td><td>Contains dual airlocks, redundant computing, and deep-space communications equipment.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Artificial-gravity habitation ring</td><td>Long-duration crew habitation</td><td>A 25 m rotating ring produces about 0.41 g at roughly 4 RPM.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Static habitation module</td><td>Medical, laboratory, and backup life support</td><td>Non-rotating pressurized volume with medical and scientific spaces.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Central docking hub</td><td>Ferry-shuttle coordination and observation</td><td>Cross-shaped reinforced hub with lateral docking ports and observation facilities.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Greenhouse module</td><td>Food supplementation and atmospheric regeneration</td><td>Closed hydroponic system supporting long-duration life-support loops.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Main storage module</td><td>Consumables, spare parts, and emergency reserves</td><td>Grid storage for long emergency stays and mission supply margins.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Truss section</td><td>Propulsion isolation and external equipment mounting</td><td>Open load-bearing structure carrying equipment interfaces and backup systems.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Propulsion module</td><td>Main propulsion, power, and thermal control</td><td>Contains the Perseverance mass-driver system, Ark reactor, reaction-mass tanks, and radiators.</td></tr>
|
|
</tbody></table>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="ferry-shuttles-and-external-berthing">Ferry shuttles and external berthing</h2>
|
|
<p>Xihe-class mission architecture follows the principle that the mothership remains in a safe orbit while carried vehicles perform terminal transport. The mothership can carry two Echo shuttles on reinforced docking and external berthing interfaces, or replace them with a mixed set of Echo shuttles, Amalthea multipurpose vehicles, or other compatible craft. These vehicles serve as ferry shuttles between the mothership, planetary surfaces, moons, temporary orbital platforms, and outposts.</p>
|
|
<p>Echo is suited to atmospheric targets, high-delta-v short-range transfers, and rapid crew extraction. Amalthea-type vehicles are more commonly used for engineering work, equipment transport, and heavier surface mobility on airless or low-gravity bodies. The mothership interfaces provide structural locks, power, thermal control, data links, and maintenance access so carried vehicles can remain ready during cruise.</p>
|
|
<p>In Mars-system missions, a typical two-Echo arrangement keeps one shuttle active for surface or moon-to-moon transfer while the other remains berthed or on standby. The mothership normally avoids low Mars orbit and repeated close approaches to Phobos or Deimos in order to reduce orbital-energy cost and collision risk. Jupiter and Saturn-system missions place greater emphasis on radiation, communications delay, and multi-moon transfer windows.</p>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="mission-operations-system">Mission operations system</h2>
|
|
<p>Xihe-class missions usually combine four elements: the mothership transfer phase, ferry-shuttle terminal transport, surface or orbital-base reception, and return-window management. The mothership handles interplanetary transfer, deep-space communications, life support, cargo custody, and mission command. Echo, Amalthea-type vehicles, or other ferry shuttles handle short-range transport to the target body.</p>
|
|
<p>In 2060, XH-02 Taibai performed a support transfer from Earth to the Mars One campus, with a mission window from February 26 to March 29. Its cargo included structural trusses, greenhouse components, and support supplies. The mission summary listed a 31-day transfer and about 105 km/s of delta-v margin, reflecting the role of later Xihe-class ships as trunk platforms for Mars-base expansion.</p>
|
|
<p>During the same period, XH-03 Changxi underwent a Jupiter-relay deployment refit at Star Port Station between January 8 and April 12, 2060. The mission placed later XH-series platforms in deep-space communications, Jovian relay deployment, payload integration, and engine overhaul work as well as surface-support logistics.</p>
|
|
<table>
|
|
<thead><tr><th>Vehicle or site</th><th>Window</th><th>Mission</th><th>Operational meaning</th></tr></thead>
|
|
<tbody>
|
|
<tr><td>XH-02 Taibai</td><td>2060-02-26 to 2060-03-29</td><td>Mars One campus supply transfer</td><td>Transported structural trusses, greenhouse components, and support supplies.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>XH-02 Taibai</td><td>2060-03-29</td><td>Mars arrival and cargo handoff</td><td>Surface fleet or ferry vehicles received cargo while the mothership remained in orbital standby.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>XH-03 Changxi</td><td>2060-01-08 to 2060-04-12</td><td>Star Port Jupiter-relay deployment refit</td><td>Supported communications, payload deployment, and deep-space infrastructure work.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Mars One Campus Alpha</td><td>From 2059-10-20</td><td>Surface expansion and ISRU staging</td><td>Mothership windows directly affected surface-construction pace.</td></tr>
|
|
</tbody></table>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="construction-and-development">Construction and development</h2>
|
|
<p>The lead ship Xihe (XH-01) was assembled in low Earth orbit between 2050 and 2052. Early components were delivered by Vulture shuttles, with the first launch missions placing the central docking hub as a temporary work platform. The artificial-gravity ring exceeded shuttle cargo-bay limits and was launched separately by a super-heavy vehicle.</p>
|
|
<p>After main assembly, XH-01 completed low Earth orbit checkout, geostationary-orbit maneuvers, lunar-orbit round trips, and full-system pressure testing. Later mothership construction increasingly moved toward Star Port Station and large orbital shipyards, with Qingtian cargo vehicles carrying more of the large-module transport work.</p>
|
|
<p>Xihe-class construction experience directly influenced the Stellaria class. Stellaria retained the axial spine, artificial-gravity ring, and central docking logic while increasing propulsion capability, central volume, long-duration life support, and cryosleep capacity.</p>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="operational-history">Operational history</h2>
|
|
<p>After completing assembly in 2052, XH-01 entered orbital checkout and then Mars and Jovian-system missions. Early uncrewed Mars-orbit validation deployed equipment for Mars One base construction and tested autonomous deep-space navigation, remote control, and large-payload delivery. Later crewed Mars missions used Echo shuttles for surface landing and crew transfer.</p>
|
|
<p>During the Jovian phase, XH-01 supported Europa Research Outpost construction, subsurface radar deployment, power expansion, and long-duration scientific operations. Some mission packages included Io plume sampling, Ganymede magnetic-field mapping, and Jovian-ring dust collection. From late 2059 to early 2060, XH-01 underwent a major Star Port Station upgrade covering radiation shielding, water processing, greenhouse interfaces, the forward docking structure, and navigation systems.</p>
|
|
<table>
|
|
<thead><tr><th>Stage</th><th>Time</th><th>Main activity</th></tr></thead>
|
|
<tbody>
|
|
<tr><td>Low Earth orbit assembly</td><td>2050-2052</td><td>Segment assembly, major-module docking, and whole-ship integration.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Orbital checkout</td><td>2052</td><td>Earth-orbit, GEO, and lunar-orbit round-trip tests.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Mars-system missions</td><td>2053-2056</td><td>Mars-orbit validation, Mars One base construction, and crewed surface operations.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Jovian-system missions</td><td>2056-2059</td><td>Europa outpost support, Jovian-moon science, and long-duration residence validation.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Post-upgrade service</td><td>From 2060</td><td>Continued deep-space support after radiation, navigation, greenhouse, and docking upgrades.</td></tr>
|
|
</tbody></table>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="maintenance-and-upgrades">Maintenance and upgrades</h2>
|
|
<p>Xihe-class maintenance is tied closely to mission windows. Routine maintenance is usually performed in low Earth orbit, at Star Port Station, or at large orbital shipyards. Work includes reaction-mass checks, radiator cleaning, rotating-ring bearing inspection, life-support filter replacement, greenhouse-loop service, docking-seal replacement, and ferry-shuttle attachment inspection.</p>
|
|
<p>After deep-space return, maintenance focuses on radiation exposure, micrometeoroid impact, long thermal cycling, and docking-mechanism wear. Jupiter-system missions require detailed checks of shielding, external sensors, and communications arrays. Mars-system missions place more attention on carried-vehicle interfaces and sample-isolation procedures.</p>
|
|
<p>The upgraded XH-01 remained a Xihe-class vessel while gaining stronger deep-space support and technology-validation capability. Compared with the later Stellaria class, it retained smaller central volume, fewer cryosleep facilities, lower long-duration crew capacity, and lower main-propulsion delta-v.</p>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="mission-role">Mission role</h2>
|
|
<p>The Xihe class is the first generation of full-system crewed deep-space motherships. It carries out long-distance transport, mission command, long-duration habitation, scientific work, and large-payload towing, but it does not land on planetary or moon surfaces. Compared with ordinary deep-space spacecraft, it functions more like a mobile orbital outpost. Compared with Stellaria, it is smaller and less autonomous, but also less complex and easier to build.</p>
|
|
<p>In the wider transport system, Vulture shuttles move large components from Earth to orbital assembly zones, Xihe-class motherships handle the interplanetary trunk leg, and Echo or Amalthea vehicles handle terminal landing and surface transfer. Enterprise shuttles support mothership construction, departure supply, and post-return unloading as medium passenger and cargo transports.</p>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="safety-and-operating-constraints">Safety and operating constraints</h2>
|
|
<p>The main Xihe-class risks include long-duration life support, high-energy main-propulsion exhaust, rotating-ring mechanical systems, externally berthed vehicle loads, and deep-space communications delay. Mission rules normally require all carried vehicles to be locked down before main-engine ignition, external berths to enter propulsion-load mode, and the rotating habitation ring to complete balance checks.</p>
|
|
<p>Because the mothership cannot land, emergency response after surface mission failure depends on ferry-shuttle mutual backup, mothership receiving windows, and orbital waiting capacity. A two-Echo or compatible two-vehicle arrangement improves mission tempo and also covers failed takeoff, docking-interface faults, surface-weather closure, and crew medical evacuation.</p>
|
|
<p>Thermal protection, radiation protection, and contamination control are also operating constraints. Samples from Mars, Europa, or other target bodies are normally isolated in the ferry shuttle or in dedicated sample containers before transfer to the mothership laboratory or return capsule.</p>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="specifications">Specifications</h2>
|
|
<table>
|
|
<thead><tr><th>Parameter</th><th>Value</th></tr></thead>
|
|
<tbody>
|
|
<tr><td>Type</td><td>Crewed interplanetary exploration mothership</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Configuration</td><td>Axial-spine multi-module cylindrical layout</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Length</td><td>83.4 m</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Maximum diameter</td><td>25 m at the artificial-gravity habitation ring</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Propulsion</td><td>Perseverance mass-driver propulsion system</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Main reactor</td><td>Ark cold-fusion reactor, about 8 TW output class</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Thrust</td><td>2400 kN standard mode; 3800 kN high-thrust mode</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Specific impulse</td><td>500,000 s standard mode; 250,000 s high-thrust mode</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Full-load delta-v</td><td>About 1700 km/s with 300 t payload</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Maximum payload</td><td>300 t including surface vehicles and supplies</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Long-duration crew</td><td>15</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Short-duration crew</td><td>30</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Artificial gravity</td><td>About 0.41 g from the rotating habitation ring</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Carried vehicles</td><td>Typically two Echo shuttles, or an Echo plus Amalthea-type compatible vehicle mix</td></tr>
|
|
</tbody></table>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="fleet-and-successors">Fleet and successors</h2>
|
|
<table>
|
|
<thead><tr><th>Ship or class</th><th>Identifier</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead>
|
|
<tbody>
|
|
<tr><td>Xihe</td><td>XH-01</td><td>Lead ship; completed multiple Mars and Jovian-system missions and later received Star Port upgrades.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Taibai</td><td>XH-02</td><td>Later Xihe-class mothership used for Mars One supply transfer and base-expansion support.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Changxi</td><td>XH-03</td><td>Later Xihe-class mothership used for Star Port servicing, Jupiter relay deployment refit, and deep-space infrastructure support.</td></tr>
|
|
<tr><td>Stellaria class</td><td>ST series</td><td>Second-generation exploration mothership class developed from Xihe operational experience, with a larger central expansion section and Lightspeed mass-driver engine.</td></tr>
|
|
</tbody></table>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="images">Images</h2>
|
|
<div class="gallery-grid">
|
|
<figure class="gallery-item"><div class="image-placeholder">Xihe-class side-view image placeholder</div><figcaption class="thumbcaption">Axial-spine configuration and propulsion-module placement.</figcaption></figure>
|
|
<figure class="gallery-item"><div class="image-placeholder">XH-01 low Earth orbit assembly image placeholder</div><figcaption class="thumbcaption">Large-module transfer between Vulture shuttles, orbital shipyards, and the mothership.</figcaption></figure>
|
|
<figure class="gallery-item"><div class="image-placeholder">Echo external berth image placeholder</div><figcaption class="thumbcaption">Two Echo shuttles or compatible vehicles as carried ferry shuttles.</figcaption></figure>
|
|
<figure class="gallery-item"><div class="image-placeholder">Mars-system mission image placeholder</div><figcaption class="thumbcaption">The mothership remains in a high orbit while ferry shuttles serve Mars, Phobos, and Deimos.</figcaption></figure>
|
|
<figure class="gallery-item"><div class="image-placeholder">Europa outpost support image placeholder</div><figcaption class="thumbcaption">Mothership standby and surface-operation division in the Jovian radiation environment.</figcaption></figure>
|
|
<figure class="gallery-item"><div class="image-placeholder">Star Port upgrade image placeholder</div><figcaption class="thumbcaption">Post-return radiation shielding, navigation, and docking-structure upgrades.</figcaption></figure>
|
|
</div>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
|
|
<ul>
|
|
<li><a href="/home/Exploration_Motherships/Stellaria">Stellaria-class interplanetary exploration mothership</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/home/Space_Shuttles/Echo_Shuttle">Echo Shuttle</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/home/Space_Shuttles/Enterprise_Shuttle">Enterprise Shuttle</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/home/Vehicles/Amalthea">Amalthea multipurpose vehicle</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/home/Space_Shuttles/Vulture_Shuttle">Vulture Shuttle</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/home/Stations/Star_Port_Station">Star Port Station</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/home/Cargo_Ships/Qingtian">Qingtian cargo vehicle</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/home/Bases/Mars_One">Mars One Base</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/home/Bases/Europa_Research_Outpost">Europa Research Outpost</a></li>
|
|
</ul>
|
|
</article>
|