The Laboratory Cabin Modules (LCM) (Chinese: 实验舱) are components of the Tiangong space station.
While China's small uncrewed spacecraft can provide platforms for zero gravity and exposure to space for scientific research, the LCMs offer a long term environment combined with ready access by human researchers over periods that far exceed the capabilities of Shenzhou spacecraft.
Experiments can also be placed on the outside of the modules, for exposure to the space environment, cosmic rays, vacuum, and solar winds.
[4][5] Wentian was successfully relocated to the starboard port on 30 September 2022 at 04:44 UTC[6] using the indexing robot arm.
Resupply ships will replenish fuel for LCM 1 for station-keeping, to counter the effects of atmospheric drag.
The length of each module is 17.9 m. They are cylindrical with a maximum diameter of 4.2 m and an on-orbit mass of approximately 20,000 kg (44,000 lb) apiece.