◎ Science and Technology Daily Zhang Qiqi Li Xiaohang comprehensive report
6 months ago, when Wang Yaping was about to go on a campaign, he sent a circle of friends to "travel for half a year". Now, half a year has expired, and the return date is coming!
During the "business trip", the "Feel Good" trio has been very rewarding, what new achievements have they unlocked? How quickly will they return to Earth?
Shenzhou 13 astronaut crew. Image source: China's manned spaceflight
6 months in orbit to unlock new achievements
Shenzhou 13 was released twice, and Wang Yaping became the first female astronaut in China to carry out the capsule activities... In the days of "business trip", the Shenzhou 13 mission unlocked the first long-term orbit for 6 months, the first time to teach space on the Chinese space station, the first time to celebrate the Spring Festival in space, the first time to hold the Tiangong painting exhibition on the Chinese space station and many other achievements. Together, we have witnessed many memorable moments during these 6 months. Poke the video
In the orbit for 6 months, the Shenzhou 13 crew completed a number of tasks such as hand-controlled remote operation rendezvous and docking test, space station robotic arm transposition cargo spacecraft test and so on. Among them, the hand-controlled remote operation rendezvous and docking test is the first time that astronauts use hand-controlled remote operation equipment in orbit to control the cargo spacecraft and the space station to rendezvous and dock, which initially verifies the function, performance and rationality of the cooperative working procedure between the space station and the visiting aircraft.
The weightless environment in space also provides convenient conditions for human beings to carry out scientific research. Relying on the Chinese space station and Shenzhou 13, the mainland has established a long-term culture system and cell model of cells under space conditions for the first time. Using such systems and training models, researchers have completed several internationally leading life science experiments. In addition, mainland researchers have also completed the world's first suspension culture experiment under long-term weightless conditions of skin stem cells. According to experts, carrying out such cell space experiments will help human beings better understand life and break through themselves.
What are the steps for the God Thirteen astronauts to go home?
Before returning to the ship, the astronauts should change into the cabin pressure suit worn when they went out; after the return module enters the atmosphere, the bottom temperature will be as high as thousands of degrees Celsius, and the vibration noise overload phenomenon in the cabin will also experience 4-6 minutes of "black barrier area", temporarily losing contact with the ground.
Shen XIII's return to Earth is roughly divided into 5 steps: separation and evacuation: people on the "Shenzhou" spacecraft, separated from the space station assembly; braking off orbit: the spacecraft enters the return orbit from the original flight orbit through posture adjustment, braking, and deceleration; inertia taxiing: waiting for the re-entry opportunity, the spacecraft's propulsion module and the return capsule are separated; re-entry into the atmosphere: the return capsule passes through the black barrier and undergoes the test; landing: opening the umbrella, pushing back, and landing.
With the fast return scheme, the journey was shortened to more than 9 hours
Yang Yanbo, deputy commander of the manned spacecraft mission at the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center, said that this is the first radial evacuation and is scheduled to be returned tomorrow morning. Before returning, the Shenzhou 13 spacecraft will perform two posture adjustments, the first adjustment will separate the orbital module, and the second attitude adjustment will be return braked. After the pushback separation, the return capsule adjusts the angle of attack of the flat, and finally the engine is pushed back to ensure the safe landing of the return capsule.
It is worth noting that the Shenzhou 13 adopts a rapid return program, from the separation of the Shenzhou 13 spacecraft from the core module of the space station to the final return to the ground, the space trio's trip home takes more than 9 hours. According to Shao Limin, deputy technical manager of the manned spacecraft system project of the Fifth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, it used to take about 1 day to return.
Yang Yanbo said that compared with the space station, the space of the spacecraft is relatively small, and the fast return program is to reduce the astronauts' residence time in the spacecraft, and we designed a fast return program around the earth five times, and before it was eleven circles. In order to achieve a rapid return plan, we have set up a design procedure for evacuation and return integration, and fully consider the meteorological conditions of the landing site to ensure the smooth and safe return. To ensure safety, we also called two relay satellites for monitoring and control.
Image source: Our Space
Where is the return area located?
Niu Yongjin, commander of the Shenzhou No. 13 Search and Rescue And Recovery Ground Detachment, introduced: Basic and Shenzhou No. 12 are located in one area, in the Ejin Na banner area of the Alxa League in Inner Mongolia. The safe area where the spacecraft returns, within the red box.
Why is the standby point farther away from the aiming point? Niu Yongjin said that the spacecraft had some scattered objects to be thrown down during the return process, which had some damage to the ground, so the standby point was outside the red area. "In response to various special circumstances, we have made plans, drills, and upgraded equipment. We are ready to go, go all out, and are fully prepared to achieve the most reliable, safest, and warmest goal for the triumph of the space hero. ”
space exploration
endless
"Space Trip Trio"
I look forward to your triumph
Source: Science and Technology Daily Comprehensive Xinhua News Agency, CCTV News, Our Space, Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, State Supervision Commission website, China Youth Daily, etc
Editors: Zhang Qiqi, Li Xiaohang (Intern)
Review: Julie
Final Judgement: Wang Yu