The launch of the Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft opens a new Chinese space station
The successful launch of the Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft marks that China's manned space program has entered the stage of space station application and development, and has taken another big step towards the grand goal of building a space power. This is a major milestone in the development of China's space industry and a great journey for mankind to use space peacefully.
Since its first manned space flight in 2003, China has successfully carried out 22 manned space missions. Shenzhou-18 is the 13th manned flight and the 32nd space mission. The mission will last six months, and the astronauts will carry out more than 90 space science experiments and technical tests in orbit, far more than any previous mission.
The Shenzhou-18 crew consisted of three astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, with Ye Guangfu as the commander. They will stay on China's space station for half a year, manage and maintain the operation of the space station, and carry out a variety of space science experiments.
In the field of life sciences, Shenzhou-18 will conduct "space fish farming" experiments on the space station to establish a small aquatic ecosystem. This will be the first time to verify the possibility of higher organisms surviving in a weightless environment in orbit, which is of great significance for promoting space life science research. In addition, a number of biological experiments such as cells and microorganisms will be conducted.
In the field of new materials and technologies, Shenzhou-18 will carry out exposure experiments outside the space station to study the performance changes of materials in the special environment of space. At the same time, advanced thermal management systems will be tested to provide technical support for future deep space exploration missions.
In the field of applied science, Shenzhou-18 will carry out space-ground integration scientific experiments, using the space station's unique microgravity and vacuum environment to study cutting-edge scientific problems such as fluid physics and advanced manufacturing.
In addition to abundant scientific experiments, Shenzhou-18 will also carry out 2-3 astronaut out-of-cabin activities, overhaul and strengthen the key facilities of the space station, and ensure the long-term and safe operation of the space station.
The Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft made a wonderful appearance
At 15:03 on April 25, the Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft took off in the scorching northwest desert, opening a new magnificent journey for China's aerospace. This is the 13th manned space mission in China's space history and a key step in the construction of China's space station.
Accompanied by the majestic flames and thick smoke, the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft took off vigorously under the huge thrust and gradually escaped into the blue sky. About 8 minutes later, the spacecraft successfully entered the intended orbit, and the astronaut crew began a six-month journey into space.
Ye Guangfu served as the commander of the mission, and Li Cong and Li Guangsu were the astronauts. The trio will reside in the Tianhe core module of China's space station to manage the station's operations and carry out a number of space science experiments.
Ye Guangfu is China's first long-term astronaut stationed on the space station, having flown two previous space missions. As the Commander, he will be fully responsible for the organization and command of this mission. Li Cong and Li Guangsu will assist Ye Guangfu in completing various tasks.
The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft adopts a new new 7-cockpit design, which can transport 3 astronauts and a large number of supplies at the same time. The spacecraft is equipped with advanced astronaut living facilities and experimental equipment, which can meet the needs of astronauts living and working in orbit for a long time.
During the six-month residency, the astronauts will carry out more than 90 space science experiments and technical experiments, mainly involving frontier fields such as life sciences, new materials, new technologies, and applied science.
One of the most high-profile is the "Fish in Space" experiment. Astronauts will create a small aquatic ecosystem on the space station, raise small fish and observe their growth and development in a weightless environment. This will be the first time that mankind has attempted to breed higher organisms in space, which is of great significance for promoting space life science research.
In the field of new materials, Shenzhou-18 will use the unique vacuum environment of the space station to carry out material exposure experiments and study the performance changes of materials in the special environment of space.
In the field of new technologies, Shenzhou-18 will test advanced thermal management systems to provide technical support for future deep space exploration missions.
Shenzhou-18 will also carry out space-ground integrated scientific experiments, using the microgravity environment of the space station to study cutting-edge scientific issues such as fluid physics and advanced manufacturing.
In addition to abundant scientific experiments, Shenzhou-18 will also carry out 2-3 astronaut out-of-cabin activities, overhaul and strengthen the key facilities of the space station, and ensure the long-term and safe operation of the space station.
China's aerospace pursues its dream of deep space and builds a space power
The successful launch of the Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft marks a new stage of development for China's manned space industry. China's space station construction is progressing steadily, with a number of cargo and manned spacecraft launched on land in the next two years, and finally a large space station consisting of a core module and two experimental modules.
This space station will not only become a home for Chinese astronauts to carry out long-term missions, but also become a space laboratory, making important contributions to mankind's exploration of unknown areas. Here, astronauts will carry out a large number of cutting-edge scientific experiments to promote innovation and development in the fields of life sciences, new materials, and new technologies.
The completion and operation of China's space station will greatly enhance China's aerospace science and technology strength and comprehensive national strength. China will continue to carry out research on manned spaceflight, space science, space applications, space exploration and other aspects on the space station platform, and continue to expand the scope and capabilities of human activities in space.
It is worth expecting that China will also plan to implement a more ambitious deep space exploration program. In the future, it may be the first time that Chinese astronauts have entered the lunar orbit, lunar surface activities, and even the first time that Chinese astronauts have entered Mars and other deep space exploration missions.
China's manned space program has gone through more than 30 years of history and has made brilliant achievements one after another. From Shenzhou-1 to Shenzhou-18, Chinese astronauts have carried out 13 manned space flights, successfully completing various mission objectives.
In this process, China has independently developed a series of key technologies such as manned spacecraft, carrier rockets, and astronaut training systems, and built a complete manned spaceflight engineering system, laying a solid foundation for future development.
China will continue to uphold the concept of peaceful use and sustainable development, adhere to independent innovation, continue to make breakthroughs in new fields of space science and technology, and make new and greater contributions to the peaceful use of space for mankind and the benefit of mankind.