Sources: All of the information stated in this article is based on reliable sources, and is detailed at the end of the article.
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Preface
Many people don't know that the mainland's Tiangong space station has suffered many "sneak attacks" in space since its establishment, and each sneak attack will become scarred.
Fortunately, our astronauts have discovered the murderer of the "sneak attack" on the space station, and this time Shenzhou-18 went to the sky with the task of "dealing with" the murderer.
So who attacked our space station, and what will Shenzhou 18 do?
Lock on to the impact target
Since the completion of the mainland's Tiangong space station in space, the mainland's astronauts have finally had a home in space.
But in the past few years in space, the sky has not had a good time, because it will be attacked by unknown objects from time to time, so every time the astronauts go out of the capsule, they have to repair the damage in the sky.
But there is no such thing as a thousand days to prevent thieves, so the astronauts began to investigate who had been hitting our space station, and after a long investigation, we found out that it was the space junk.
In the vastness of the universe, space junk roams like ghosts, silent, but always lurking a great threat.
Space junk actually refers to all kinds of debris floating in Earth's orbit, including but not limited to discarded satellite wreckage, stages left over from rocket launches, detached pieces of solar sail panels, and even small screws accidentally left behind by astronauts during spacewalks.
These seemingly insignificant items may not be worth mentioning on the ground, but in the vacuum of space, they have become real invisible killers.
The key to the threat of space junk is the speed at which it travels, and in low-Earth orbit, the debris rushes at a speed of kilometers per second, several times faster than bullets.
When they collide with a spacecraft, even a few centimeters in size can generate enough energy to penetrate the metal shell with its amazing kinetic energy, like a miniature cannonball, easily punching holes in the spacecraft.
Such an impact can cause not only structural damage to the spacecraft, but in severe cases, chain reactions such as damaging solar panels, disrupting power supply, or disrupting critical navigation and communication systems, causing the spacecraft to lose control and ultimately failing the entire mission.
In addition, for astronauts working in the space station, every impact can become an existential test, and once the tightness of the space station is damaged by the impact, it will lead to the leakage of valuable air, endangering the lives of astronauts.
And if the impact had occurred while the astronauts were on a spacewalk, they would have been exposed directly to the debris of high-speed flight, with unimaginable consequences.
In addition to the continent's sky station, the International Space Station has not been spared from the infestation of space junk, and according to official data, the ISS has repeatedly activated emergency evacuation procedures to avoid collisions with large space junk.
The former Soviet Union's Mir space station had to be decommissioned early due to repeated impacts and wear and tear, which is undoubtedly a vivid example of the cumulative harm of space junk.
The threat of space junk extends far beyond space, it also poses a potential risk to the Earth's surface, and most of the debris burns up during the re-entry process when space junk gradually degrades its orbit due to atmospheric drag and eventually falls into the Earth's atmosphere.
However, there are still a small number of large pieces of debris that may not have been completely burned, posing a safety hazard to people and facilities on the ground, and although the probability of directly hitting people is extremely low, the potential threat to densely populated areas cannot be ignored.
Therefore, the problem of space junk has become a common problem that needs to be solved urgently in global space exploration activities, which is related to the interests of every country participating in space activities, and even the space security and sustainable development of all mankind.
And this launch of Shenzhou 18 on the mainland has the task of dealing with this problem.
The secret weapon of Shenzhou XVIII
The launch of Shenzhou 18 this time is not only for the exchange of personnel and materials, but also with the "secret weapon" developed by mainland scientific research experts, vowing to hold up a protective umbrella for the Heavenly Palace.
Shenzhou-18's "secret weapon" is a special armor that uses the latest material technology - long-life, low-specific heat inorganic thermal control coating and high-temperature resistant thermal insulation materials.
These materials are like putting on a layer of super armor for Tiangong, which can not only resist extreme temperature differences, but also effectively absorb or deflect space junk flying at high speed, making Tiangong more calm in the face of impact.
Imagine if Tiangong had its own "radar" and could "see" danger in advance and dodge it in time?
This early warning and avoidance system is like the eyes and brain of the space station, which can monitor the surrounding space environment in real time, and once it finds that dangerous space junk is approaching, it will immediately activate the evasion strategy to ensure the safety of the space station.
In addition to direct protection, there is also a special "cleaning team" - Aolong-1 to escort the escort, Aolong-1's mission is to remove space junk from orbit, like a "sanitation worker" in space, to ensure that Tiangong and other spacecraft operate in a clean and unobstructed orbit.
Every attack of Auron 1 is a contribution to the protection of the space environment, making the road of space exploration safer and more sustainable.
In addition, the ground monitoring team will also watch the vast starry sky 24 hours a day through high-precision monitoring equipment and data analysis.
They are like an early warning system, and whenever a potential threat is discovered, they will quickly notify the astronauts of Tiangong to ensure that in any unexpected situation, the astronauts can respond in time to protect themselves from space junk.
Space governance from a global perspective
The universe is vast, and human exploration of space should not be a solo performance of a single country, but a symphony of global cooperation.
Therefore, in recent years, many countries have also begun to develop into space, but with the increasing frequency of space activities, the problem of space junk is like a reef in the universe, posing a potential threat to spacecraft.
In the face of this challenge, international cooperation and technological exchanges have become ice-breaking boats, leading us to a new voyage of space governance.
The Shenzhou-18 early warning system is a model of international cooperation and technical exchange, this system is like a guardian saint in space, accurately predicting and successfully guiding spacecraft to avoid the potential collision risk of Starlink satellites, this feat is not only a vivid demonstration of cutting-edge technology, but also a bright flash of the spirit of international cooperation.
Scientists and engineers from all over the world have shared data, technology and experience across geographical boundaries to weave a space safety net covering the Earth's orbit, which shows that cooperation is the key to success, both on Earth and in space, in the face of common challenges.
Looking to the future, the 2025 Space Cleanup Program will be a new milestone in international cooperation, and a space cleanup company jointly established by several countries and private companies is preparing for an unprecedented space junk cleanup operation.
This is not just a technical challenge, but a comprehensive test of international law, economic cooperation, and scientific and technological innovation, through the sharing of resources, technology and capital, these companies aim to develop efficient and reliable technologies for the capture and disposal of space junk, clear the way for future space activities, and keep space orbits open.
The implementation of this plan indicates that mankind's use of space will be more orderly and sustainable, and a clean sea of stars will be preserved for future generations.
In the face of the accumulation of space junk, sustainable development has become the new beacon of space activities, and the design and manufacture of spacecraft have begun to focus on the use of environmentally friendly materials, such as degradable or recyclable composite materials, and optimize the structural design to reduce the risk of debris falling off.
The concept of "green aerospace" aims to control the generation of space junk from the source and realize the harmonious coexistence of aerospace and the natural environment.
From the perspective of law and policy, the international community is actively exploring and formulating stricter and forward-looking space waste management norms.
This includes, but is not limited to, clarifying the responsibilities of space junk, establishing a monitoring and reporting mechanism for space junk, and promoting the role of international cooperation in space junk clean-up projects.
International law plays a crucial role in this process, not only as a norm governing the conduct of States, but also as a legal cornerstone for the sustainable development of space activities.
epilogue
The road of space exploration is full of unknowns and challenges, and the problem of space junk is like a threshold that must be crossed, and in this process, the development of science and technology and the power of international cooperation are particularly important.
Only by working hand in hand, facing challenges with wisdom and courage, and jointly guarding this last frontier belonging to all mankind, can we ensure the safety, sustainability and harmony of space exploration.
Sources of information
Global Network "It is expected to dock for 6 months, and "space fish farming" will be realized! Shenzhou 18 launch mission is a complete success" 2024.4.26
China Youth Network, "Why do the American "Starlink" satellites unruly when they create many dangerous situations?", 2021.12.29