Radial rendezvous and docking will be achieved with the core cabin
The Shenzhou 13 spacecraft flew to the core module of the space station, still using the autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking technology, and it only takes 6.5 hours to complete the docking with the core module after launch. However, the docking of this rendezvous is completely different from the docking method of Shenzhou XII. Shenzhou XII is docked with the core module from the horizontal direction, and this time Shenzhou 13 is docked from below the core cabin.
Yang Haifeng, head of the flight control technology group of the Shenzhou 13 manned spacecraft of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group
When we returned from Shenzhou XII, we conducted a round-flying and radial rendezvous test on September 16, but we advanced to 19 meters, and finally returned, and did not go inside. This time we are going to complete the rendezvous and complete the docking in the "radial direction", which is the first time in our country.
It will be on orbit for the first time for six months
Previously, Shenzhou 11 completed a month in orbit, Shenzhou 12 achieved a three-month stay in orbit, constantly refreshing the record of China's manned spacecraft in orbit, and this time Shenzhou 13 will stay in orbit with astronauts for 180 days, which is also the first time that the Shenzhou spacecraft has made a six-month on-orbit docking, laying the foundation for the mission planning of the follow-up space station astronauts to rotate for half a year.
(Docked in) Radial (to the interface) This time it is a low temperature condition for us, or it is colder, what if it is colder? We need more electricity, we need heating. Our (solar) sailboard may be blocked, we need more electricity, so now the biggest difficulty in this working condition is that heat and energy are coupled together, this piece is really very complicated, for us is a especially 180 days, which is a new challenge.
For the first time, it was transferred from a rescue ship to an official mission ship
In addition, the Shenzhou 13 spacecraft has previously undertaken the ground emergency rescue mission of the Shenzhou 12 astronaut crew, which is also the first time that the Shenzhou spacecraft has performed a standby mission, from the rescue spacecraft to the official mission spacecraft.
Source: CCTV4