Lead
In 2023, Shenzhou-17 carried out the first space station experiment mission, and three astronauts carried out 15 days of space life in the Tiangong core module and completed a number of scientific experiments.
Subsequently, after the three of them completed the rendezvous and docking between multiple mission modules, the return capsule successfully docked with the Tiangong core module.
When the hatch on the re-entry capsule opened, the three astronauts were lifted out by two crew members in spacesuits.
This scene was filmed by the camera, which attracted the attention of the international aerospace community, and also aroused the wonder of the outside world, why did the Shenzhou astronauts need to be carried out of the capsule when they returned to Earth?
Is this a sign that the country's space technology is not keeping up with international standards?
But in fact, the Shenzhou astronauts were lifted out of the return capsule out of the consideration of the astronauts' physical safety, not because the technology could not keep up with international standards.
First, how backward the technology is.
In 1979, the United States launched a space shuttle called "Columbia", which was the first time that the United States used a space shuttle to carry out a real "space shuttle" mission.
The shuttle's crew capsule is equipped with two seats to carry astronauts, and the shuttle's aft ship also has a metal "slide" that allows astronauts to open the hatch when returning to the atmosphere and then slide out of the cabin for a deceleration landing.
In 1983, the United States launched a space shuttle called the Challenger, carrying two astronauts on the STS-7 mission, which was also the first mission in the history of the United States to carry a female astronaut.
The 1979 Columbia and 1983 Challenger were prototypes of the space shuttles that were later launched by the United States.
The shape of the space shuttle launched by the United States is very similar to that of a traditional airplane, so inside the shuttle, astronauts can easily stand up, and can independently walk to the warehouse entrance to land, and then open the hatch and slide down the "slide".
In order to make the spacecraft more safe and reliable, the mainland decided to adopt the escape tower mechanism to make the astronauts' vehicles more adaptable and safe.
Therefore, the design of the "Shenzhou" spacecraft is fundamentally different from that of the American space shuttle, and the two cannot be directly compared.
The design of the US space shuttle is to allow astronauts to be as free as possible and to facilitate astronauts to carry out the "spacewalk" mission outside the spacecraft, but the design of the "Shenzhou" spacecraft is to protect the lives of astronauts, so in the design process of the "Shenzhou" spacecraft, it is necessary to consider not only the weight and shape of the spacecraft, but also the restrictions brought about by the spacecraft's escape system, so it cannot be compared with the US space shuttle in the space design inside the spacecraft.
Second, the reason for not being able to stand up.
The environment of outer space is very special, because there is almost no gravity in the outer space environment, so after astronauts live in outer space for a period of time, their bones and muscles will atrophy, so that when astronauts return to Earth and then stand up, it will produce a lot of pressure on bones and muscles.
Of course, astronauts can also stand up, but in this way, the damage to bones and muscles will be more serious, so in order to protect the health of astronauts, mainland astronauts decided to lift astronauts out of the return capsule to avoid astronauts from being injured.
There is also a very serious factor affecting the health of astronauts in the outer space environment, and that is strong cosmic radiation.
The earth is protected by an atmosphere that can block most of the damage caused by solar radiation and cosmic rays, so humans on the earth can live safely.
Outer space is not protected by the atmosphere, so astronauts will be affected by strong cosmic radiation when they live in outer space, which will have a very serious impact on the health of astronauts.
The energetic particles in solar radiation and cosmic rays can have serious effects on human DNA and cells, and can even induce diseases such as cancer, so astronauts may face health problems when they return to Earth.
3. Preparation after landing.
If the astronaut does not live in space for a long time, the impact on the astronaut's physical health will be relatively small, but if the astronaut lives in outer space for too long, then the impact on the astronaut's physical health will be very serious.
Living in outer space for too long may cause astronauts to have vestibular system disorders, osteoporosis and other phenomena, so that after astronauts return to Earth, they cannot immediately act on their own, and need to be supported by external forces, so it is inevitable to be carried out of the return capsule.
And even if the astronauts can act on their own, they will suffer a lot of discomfort, and during this time, the physical condition of the astronauts will gradually return to normal, and during this time, the China National Space Administration will arrange specific rehabilitation training for the astronauts to speed up the rehabilitation process of the astronauts.
After Shenzhou 17 returned to Earth, the three astronauts were in good physical condition, but in order to ensure the health of the astronauts, the three were immediately sent to the hospital for examination after they came out of the return capsule, and then the physical condition of the three showed normal.
The China National Space Administration has arranged detailed rehabilitation training for each astronaut, and at the same time, the astronaut's physical condition will be monitored regularly, and once the astronaut's body is found to be abnormal, it will be treated immediately.
With the continuous development of aerospace technology, our spacecraft will become more intelligent, so that we can better protect the lives and health of astronauts.
However, the environment of outer space is very complex, which contains many unknown challenges, we need to continue to learn and explore, and summarize experience from it, so that our aerospace industry can continue to develop and grow.
epilogue
The difficulties faced by astronauts in outer space are unimaginable to us, and they have made great contributions to human exploration of space, the development of astronautics, and the development and progress of mankind, and their dedication deserves our learning and respect.