On June 17, the Shenzhou 12 manned spacecraft and the Tianhe core module autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking screen were taken at the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Liwang
From transporting three astronauts to the space station's tianhe core module to staying for three months and then safely returning them to the ground, the entire process will realize five "firsts" of China's manned space mission: the first time to implement the autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking of manned spacecraft; the first time to implement the orbiting space station and conduct radial rendezvous; the first time the Shenzhou spacecraft has achieved long-term orbital docking; for the first time, it has the ability to return to the landing site from orbits at different altitudes; and for the first time, it has the emergency rescue capability of combining heaven and earth with multiple guarantees.
Regarding the emergency rescue capability of combining heaven and earth with multiple guarantees, Gao Xu, deputy director of the overall designer of the Shenzhou XII manned spacecraft system of the overall design department of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group, said in an interview with CCTV reporters that if the Shenzhou XII spacecraft has a serious failure, there is also Shenzhou XIII on the ground that has completed the total amount and test work of the launch site, and has the ability to launch quickly and top up at any time as needed.
Highlight 1 For the first time, the autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking of manned spacecraft was implemented
The rendezvous and docking time is shortened, which greatly alleviates the fatigue of astronauts during the journey
The Shenzhou XII manned spacecraft, developed by the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group, implemented the autonomous and rapid rendezvous and docking of manned spacecraft for the first time. With the continuous adjustment of the attitude of the space station, the spacecraft has achieved rapid docking with the space station after launch.
According to Gao Xu, deputy chief designer of the Shenzhou XII manned spacecraft system of the overall design department of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group, Shenzhou 12 is like a "supercar" with full automatic driving functions, with independent calculation and independent judgment to reach the destination. "It used to take two days from launch to arrival at the space station, but this time it took about 6.5 hours. In this way, astronauts can leave from the Qingtian Pavilion in the morning and rest in the core module of the space station at night, which greatly alleviates the fatigue of the journey. ”
Highlight 2 For the first time, a space station orbit and radial rendezvous were implemented
After Shenzhou 12 entered orbit, it changed orbit for 6 consecutive times to find the navigation "position"
In this mission, the rendezvous capability of the Shenzhou XII manned spacecraft has been strengthened, with a more complex rendezvous and docking flight mode, with forward, backward and radial interface docking and separation functions with the space station, and it is planned to carry out the first orbital space station and radial rendezvous tests in this mission.
Gao Xu introduced, "After Shenzhou XII entered orbit, in the next 4 hours or so, it will carry out 6 consecutive orbit changes to reach the position below the space station and establish a relative navigation with the space station. After that, it flew around to the front of the space station and docked with the space station to form a combination. ”
Highlight 3 For the first time, the Shenzhou spacecraft has achieved long-term orbital docking
The Shenzhou team carried out special designs for thermal control schemes and power supply schemes
The Shenzhou XII manned spacecraft will be on orbit for 3 months. In order to adapt to the complex external heat flow conditions brought about by the complex configuration and attitude of the space station, the Shenzhou team has specially designed the thermal control schemes such as the return capsule, the propulsion engine and the storage tank, and the grid-connected power supply scheme of the ship station, so that the spacecraft has the adaptive supporting conditions for power supply and thermal environment protection.
Gao Xu used the game skill to graphically compare, "We have now filled all the skill points for the first time, and the spaceship is docked for 3 months. ”
Highlight 4 For the first time, it has the ability to return to the landing field from orbits at different altitudes
The return altitude of the manned spacecraft is adjusted from a fixed value to a relative range
For the first time, the Shenzhou XII spacecraft has the ability to return to the landing field from orbits at different altitudes.
Prior to Shenzhou XII, manned spacecraft all returned to Earth from fixed orbits. In the space station mission, in order to save the consumption of propellant, the orbital position of the space station will be adjusted accordingly with different time nodes to meet the requirements of long-term docking.
The Shenzhou team redesigned the return orbit adaptively, adjusting the return height of the manned spacecraft from a fixed value to a relative range, and improving the algorithm of the return to improve the adaptability and reliability of the return of the manned spacecraft.
Highlight 5 For the first time, it has the ability to combine heaven and earth with multiple guarantee emergency rescue capabilities
In case of emergency, the follow-up manned spacecraft can be launched in 8.5 days for emergency launch and space rescue
In order to ensure that both the sky and the earth have the ability to protect the lives of astronauts and pick up astronauts under emergency conditions, the Shenzhou team has created an emergency rescue mission model that combines heaven and earth, that is, to carry two spacecraft into the field, and one ship as a backup for the launch ship will become the life rescue boat of astronauts in the event of unexpected situations.
The Shenzhou team adopts the "rolling standby" strategy, when the first manned spacecraft is launched, the latter manned spacecraft is on standby at the launch site, and has the ability of 8.5 days of emergency launch and space rescue.
Gao Xu said in an interview with CCTV reporters that after Shenzhou XII docked at the space station, it was a safe haven for astronauts in orbit. During the astronaut's long-term orbit, in order to ensure that the spacecraft has the ability to return to the main landing field every day, the return strategy including the algorithm of guidance has also been upgraded and improved.
Gao Xu introduced, "Through these improvements, no matter what kind of orbital altitude the space station operates, as long as there is a need for astronauts to return to the earth, they can walk and go back if they want to." Even if the Shenzhou XII spacecraft in orbit has a serious failure, there is no problem, and there is still Shenzhou XIII on the ground that has completed the total amount and test work of the launch site, has a standby state, and has the ability to quickly launch and top at any time as needed. ”
"That is to say, there is a Shenzhou XII in the sky and a Shenzhou XIII on the ground, so the multiple guarantees of the combination of heaven and earth allow astronauts to work and live with peace of mind every day in the space station." Gao Xu said.
How to ensure the safety of astronauts?
● Launch phase
If a rocket fires, explodes, or otherwise fails unexpectedly, the Shenzhou spacecraft, with the help of its upper escape tower, can quickly take astronauts out of the danger zone and rely on parachutes to achieve a safe landing, just as fighter pilots can be ejected in emergency responses to an emergency major dangerous situation.
● Flight phase
In the process of spacecraft autonomous flight, when there is an emergency failure such as fire in the cabin and pressure loss in the cabin that threatens the life of astronauts, the Shenzhou spacecraft can return to the earth at any time, both under the control of ground personnel to calculate the return parameters, or the spacecraft can control the return independently, without the participation of ground personnel.
● Docking stage
In the process of automatic docking with the Tianhe core module, if the measurement and control equipment of the relative position and relative attitude fails, resulting in the inability to automatic docking, the spacecraft can be manually controlled by the astronauts, and through the camera image, observe the space station docking cross target and carry out manual docking.
● Docking phase
During the docking of the space station, when an accident occurred on the space station that seriously threatened the lives of astronauts, resulting in the inability to continue the flight of the assembly, the Shenzhou spacecraft had the ability to evacuate the space station at any time and return to Earth safely.
● Return to the stage
After separating from the space station, when the spacecraft return capsule rushed to the surface of the earth, the Shenzhou spacecraft was equipped with two sets of parachutes, and when one set had problems, the other set could be on top at any time, playing a role in deceleration buffering. Finally, when the Shenzhou spacecraft docked on the space station cannot return to the earth for various reasons, China will launch the "ace means" - launching an emergency rescue spacecraft on the ground and carrying out a thousand miles rescue operation in the shortest possible time. Source: The Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group
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| Editor: Tian Juan
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