The three astronauts are in good shape and feel good, and as spectators, we are also cheering for every step taken by China's aerospace industry. With the triumph of the Shenzhou 13 astronaut flight crew, the established tasks of the key technology verification stage of the Chinese space station have also been successfully completed, and the curtain has also opened the construction stage of the Chinese space station. Looking back at the past, we will present you with a set of numbers to present those wonderful moments in the key technology verification stage of china's space station.
1. Set a number of "first" Chinese aerospace breakthrough journeys
A new record for the length of time Chinese astronauts stay in orbit
Shenzhou 13 remained in orbit for a total of 6 months, creating a new record for the length of time chinese astronauts stayed in orbit and successfully completing various tasks.
The first radial rendezvous and docking of a continental manned spacecraft
On October 16, 2021, the Shenzhou spacecraft adopted an autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking mode, docking at the radial port of the Tianhe core module. This is the first radial rendezvous and docking carried out by a continental manned spacecraft in space, that is, rendezvous and docking with the space station through the antenna and the lower alignment interface of the core module.
Wang Yaping took the first steps in a spacewalk for Chinese women
On November 7, 2021, Wang Yaping began the first extravehicular activity of the Shenzhou 13 astronaut crew, taking the first step in China's female extravehicular spacewalk.
Zhai Zhigang, who took the first step in Chinese space, was more relaxed when he came out of the capsule again after 13 years. And Ye Guangfu is the first time to go to space, flying to realize the dream.
For the first time, a large orbiting vehicle was operated using a space station robotic arm for transposition testing
In the early morning of January 6, 2022, the space station's robotic arm dragged the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft, with the core capsule node capsule sphere as the center of the circle, carried out plane transposition, separated from the core capsule and re-docked, and completed the locking, completing the first continental use of the space station robotic arm to operate a large orbiting aircraft for transposition test.
Completed the hand-controlled remote operation rendezvous and docking test for the first time
On January 8, 2022, the Shenzhou 13 astronaut crew used hand-controlled remote operation equipment for the first time to control the collision and docking of the cargo spacecraft and the space station, which preliminarily verified the functions, performance and rationality of the cooperative working procedure between the space station and the visiting aircraft.
The first time using fast return technology
On April 16, 2022, the Shenzhou XIII manned spacecraft was successfully separated from the space station Tianhe core module. The first use of fast return technology set a new record for the fastest speed for Chinese astronauts to return to Earth from space.
2. Two space lectures sow the dream of spaceflight
During the orbital residency, in addition to completing the test of the key technology of space station assembly and construction as planned, the Shenzhou 13 flight crew also used the microgravity environment of the space station to carry out two space lectures of space interaction between heaven and earth, planting the dream of exploring space for countless teenagers.
As an important space science education base, the Chinese space station has opened a "Tiangong Classroom" for teenagers, with Chinese astronauts as "space teachers".
Astronaut Wang Yaping: I am really very happy to have the opportunity to explore interesting scientific phenomena in spaceflight with you again.
Lesson 1: Demonstrate phenomena such as cytology experiments in microgravity
On the afternoon of December 9, 2021, the first lesson of "Tiangong Classroom" was officially opened. Shenzhou 13 astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu brought a wonderful space science lesson to the majority of teenagers on the China Space Station. This is the first space teaching activity of the Chinese space station.
Astronaut Wang Yaping: The effervescent film constantly ebbles in the water balloon, producing a lot of happy small bubbles, but in the weightless environment, the bubbles are only constantly generated, and do not leave the water balloon.
In about 60 minutes of lectures, the astronauts introduced and demonstrated the work and life scenes of the space station, demonstrating the miraculous phenomena of cytology experiments, human movement, and liquid surface tension in the microgravity environment.
Astronaut Wang Yaping: It is the time to witness the miracle. Did the students see it? The liquid ball crystallizes quickly, and it doesn't look very much like an ice hockey ball!
Lesson 2: Demonstrate "ice and snow" experiments Water and oil separation experiments and other phenomena
On the afternoon of March 23, 2022, the second lesson of "Tiangong Classroom" was held on the China Space Station. In about 45 minutes of lectures, the astronauts vividly demonstrated the space "ice and snow" experiment, the liquid bridge demonstration experiment, the water and oil separation experiment and the space parabolic experiment in the microgravity environment, explained the scientific principles behind the experimental phenomena in an in-depth and simple way, and showed some space science facilities and introduced the working and living conditions on the space station.
3. Three astronauts need to return to normal life after three stages
After the three astronauts arrive in Beijing, they will enter a period of medical isolation, conduct a comprehensive medical examination and health assessment, and arrange for recuperation. According to reports, in half a year, astronauts will be restored in three stages: first of all, 3-4 weeks of isolation and recovery, daily physical examination, comprehensive assessment; followed by convalescent recovery, restorative physique training; and finally recovery observation. It is expected that after half a year, normal training can be carried out.
4, four times out of the cabin Spacewalk more calmly
The astronauts' exit from the capsule is also an important task to be completed in the key technical verification stage of the space station. The Shenzhou 12th and 13th astronaut crews completed a total of 4 outgoing activities, Chinese spacewalk and became more and more relaxed.
Shenzhou 12 astronaut Liu Boming: Wow, this outside is so beautiful, old and bright.
At 8:11 on July 4, 2021, astronaut Liu Boming successfully opened the exit hatch of the node module. With the cooperation and support of the astronaut Nie Haisheng in the cabin, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo successfully exited the capsule and completed the installation of foot limiters and extravehicular workbench on the robotic arm.
At 14:33 on August 20, 2021, the second outgoing event of the space station phase was a complete success, completing the installation of an expansion pump set and a panoramic camera lifting task.
At 1:16 on November 8, 2021, Space welcomed Wang Yaping, the first Chinese female astronaut to go out of the cabin.
At 18:44 on December 26, 2021, the feel-good crew ushered in the fourth time that Chinese astronauts left the space station stage. The function and performance of the core cabin airlock cabin, cabin outer suit and mechanical arm are further verified, and the experience is further accumulated for subsequent outgoing activities.
Four-cabin (ship) assembly The most complex configuration of the space station at present
In more than a year, the Chinese space station has continuously verified complex on-orbit assembly and construction technologies such as rendezvous and docking, orbiting flight, robotic arm operation, and hand-controlled remote operation from one aircraft flying solo to four aircraft composition. This is also by far the most complex configuration of the space station.
5. Fast return of five laps The journey is safer and more comfortable
This return to Earth is faster than ever. In the past, it was necessary to circle the earth 11 times and then re-enter the atmosphere, but this time it only went around 5 times, taking into account both speed and safety.
From 11 laps to 5 laps, the maturity of manned technology has increased
Cui Xia: In the past, the return process of the Shenzhou spacecraft was about 11 circles around the earth and then re-entered the atmosphere, while Shenzhou 13 only circled the earth for 5 times and then re-entered the atmosphere. The Shenzhou spacecraft orbits the earth for about 90 minutes, so shenzhou 13 returns about 9 hours faster than in the past, which is like taking a green-skinned train before, and now taking a high-speed train. This has greatly improved the safety and comfort of astronauts who have been in space for six months and are like arrows.
In fact, the hardware and software of the Shenzhou spacecraft have not changed, but with the improvement of mission maturity, the return process of the spacecraft has been more reasonably arranged, shortening from the standard 11 laps to 5 laps, reflecting the continuous maturity of the mainland manned mission technology.
Design special routes to reduce overload and ensure safety
In the whole return process, the astronauts face the biggest test, that is, the stage when the spacecraft passes through the atmosphere. Due to the violent friction between the spacecraft and the atmosphere, the speed dropped from 7.9 kilometers per second to 200 meters per second. Astronauts' bodies are subjected to pressure several times their own weight, a phenomenon called overload. In order to minimize overload, the designers designed a special return route.
Zhang Fusheng, overall chief designer of the Shenzhou 13 manned spacecraft system of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group: We have experienced many simulation calculations and selected the ballistic trajectory to ensure that the ballistic overload is within 3.5 g overload pressure, which can ensure the safety and certain comfort of astronauts.
6. Six months of residency Space life is rich and colorful
During the 6 months of space station residency, the Shenzhou 13 crew not only completed various tasks excellently, but also lived a good life. They have survived and walked in space, and they have also chased dramas and played guzheng. Next, let's relive their space life.
This year's Spring Festival is the first time that Chinese celebrate the New Year in space, and the "space travel trio" decorates the "Space Home" with festive and prosperous. The three astronauts showed their unique skills and sent New Year's greetings from space.
Zhai Zhigang: Happy Chinese New Year to all! Be in good health! Good luck! The Year of the Tiger is auspicious!
Wang Yaping: I wish the children a prosperous and thriving life!
Ye Guangfu: I wish our great motherland prosperity! Guotai Min'an!
In order to allow astronauts to eat fragrant dumplings, ground technicians prepared three kinds of fillings in advance: pork cabbage filling, mackerel filling and yellow cauliflower filling. At 7:30 p.m., the Chinese space station transited over the motherland, and astronaut Wang Yaping photographed the land of Shenzhou, which was brightly lit and glittering.
Astronaut Wang Yaping: This is the first time we can see China from the perspective of space Chinese New Year's Eve night, and the city lights are as beautiful as flames!
Astronaut Wang Yaping brought the opening performance of the "2022 Lantern Party" from the main station at the space station, playing "Jasmine" with a guzheng. This is the first time that Chinese astronauts have publicly performed instrumental performances in space. Between work, astronauts will also work out, read books, chase dramas, make two-way video calls with family and friends, and even watch the Spring Festival Gala, the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics and various wonderful events in space.
In the future, for the first time, 6 Chinese astronauts will be in orbit at the same time
Bidding farewell to the Shen 13 crew, the Chinese space station will soon welcome new astronauts. Within this year, the mainland will launch two space station experimental modules, two manned spacecraft of Shenzhou 14 and Shenzhou 15, two cargo spacecraft of Tianzhou 4 and Tianzhou 5, and for the first time, 6 Chinese astronauts will be in orbit at the same time.
7. Seven major technical verifications lay the foundation for the construction of future space stations
The return of Shenzhou XIII marks the successful end of the space station in the key technology verification stage. On April 29, 2021, the First Vehicle of the Chinese Space Station Mission, the Tianhe Core Module, was successfully launched, and during the one-year orbit, the manned space project completed a total of 5 launch missions, sending the Tianhe Core Module, 2 manned spacecraft and 2 cargo spacecraft into space. Seven key technologies were validated on orbit, including: space station propellant replenishment, regenerative bio-protection, flexible solar cell wings and drive mechanisms, large flexible combination control, assembly and construction, extravehicular operation, and on-orbit maintenance.
Source CCTV
Editor Intern Editor Zhao Siyao
Process Editor Liu Weili