At this moment, the Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft is rendezvousing and docking with the space station assembly operating in orbit. The Tianzhou-4, which delivered to the door for the Chinese space station, is already the fourth cargo spacecraft of the Tianzhou family.
So, what are the new features of Tianzhou 4? Let's find out.
According to reports, in order to meet the needs of intensive launch during the construction stage of the space station, the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft has implemented group production, and the tianzhou second, third, and fourth in the Tianzhou family are the "triplets" of the same batch of production. The shape and function of these three cargo ships are similar or similar, for example, the total length is 10.6 meters, the life is the same, the maximum take-off weight is the same, but the performance characteristics are constantly evolving and optimized. On the basis of the accumulation of experience in the early stage, Tianzhou-4 has made detailed adjustments in terms of function and performance, so that it can not only be competent for the task of space express, but also better complement the space station to carry out various work.
Xu Xiaoping, deputy chief designer of the cargo spacecraft system of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group: Through the experience of flying in orbit with the space station in the early stage, we can do some great support work for the space station. In addition to transporting the goods, we can also do some work for the space station, such as orbit and attitude control, so that the task of the space station itself is reduced.
In order to make the astronauts' work more efficient, Tianzhou-4 is also more intimate in the details of the package design.
Xu Xiaoping, deputy chief designer of the cargo spacecraft system of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group: For example, in the early stage of astronauts, some items are text logos, which looks very difficult. We made some signs, such as using color to distinguish, he looked at it and knew that this was eaten, this was used, this was an experimental sample, and the astronaut immediately knew what it was.
In addition, in terms of temperature control and energy distribution, Tianzhou-4 is also more scientific and reasonable.
Xu Xiaoping, deputy chief designer of the cargo spacecraft system of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group: For example, the power supply capacity, in fact, from the results of the previous flight, the cargo ship has a certain power supply margin. We also contribute this part of the power supply margin, and then connect it to the space station, so that the space station can play more benefits. For example, more loads can be started, which is equivalent to a higher efficiency.
Source: CCTV news client