Microgravity environment is achieved with electromagnetic ejection
Continental this experimental device
Trial operation was launched not long ago
The first microgravity experiments have recently begun
What is this device?
And how did it do it?
Electromagnetic catapult microgravity experimental device
Move "space" to the ground
The 4-second electromagnetic ejection microgravity experimental device, developed and constructed by the Space Application Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is the first electromagnetic ejection microgravity experimental device in Asia.
It is 44.5 meters high. The entire experimental device is a steel frame structure, like a "big elevator", no welding is used, and all the connections are precisely riveted together by more than 40,000 bolts.
In the position of the "car" in the middle of the "big elevator", a cylindrical device that can move up and down is the experimental cabin of the entire experimental device. It is 1.2 meters in diameter, 2 meters high and weighs 500 kilograms.
How to use this experimental cabin? The experimental sample is loaded in the cabin, and then the experimental module is ejected upward at a speed of 20 meters per second, and then lowered down. This process provides a 4-second microgravity environment for the experimental sample. The process of ejection uses electromagnetic ejection technology.
Make use of experimental setup
The first scientific experiments were launched
This 4-second microgravity environment is already at work in scientific research. Researchers have recently used this electromagnetic catapult microgravity experimental device to carry out the first batch of scientific experiments, including microgravity spray cooling experiments.
This experiment is to solve the problem of cooling and temperature control of ultra-high power and ultra-high heat flow devices inside the spacecraft for long-term stable operation.
What kind of experiments might require such a microgravity environment? Zhang Yongkang, associate researcher of the Space Application Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that mainly some high-precision equipment, more cutting-edge physical experiments, will need this absolute microgravity level.
The electromagnetic catapult microgravity experimental device can also simulate the gravity of the moon and Mars through precise control to carry out related scientific experiments.
Which is the strongest ejection technology?
See field experiments
Electromagnetic ejection is the use of electromagnetic induction to achieve ejection.
The electromagnetic ejection of aircraft carriers and the electromagnetic ejection in many large scientific devices use the traveling wave magnetic field of linear motors.
In life, what are the common ejection methods? How is electromagnetic ejection different from other ejection methods?
20 sec electromagnetic ejection microgravity experimental device
Planning
The first batch of experiments have been started with the 4-second electromagnetic catapult microgravity experimental device, and a larger 20-second electromagnetic ejection microgravity experimental device is also being planned, and its capability level will be further expanded and improved.
Compared with the 4-second microgravity device, the indicators of the new generation of 20-second electromagnetic catapult microgravity experimental device will be further improved in the future, providing more efficient and convenient ground-based micro/low gravity technology verification conditions for major national projects such as manned spaceflight and deep space exploration.
Zhang Jianquan, director of the electromagnetic technology research office of the Space Application Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: "In the future, if our major scientific and technological infrastructure is operated to a certain extent, there is no problem with safety verification, and people can also enter it and carry out weightless training, such as astronauts' weightlessness training, or weightless experience, space experience." ”
Source: People's Daily
Editor: Liu Jiayuan
Responsible editor: Liu Jiayuan