[ad_1]
According to Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China’s manned space project, China will launch the space station’s core module with the Long March 5B Yao-2 rocket in Wenchang, Hainan, this spring (2021). At present, the core module has basically completed all the test work, the astronaut crew has been selected, and mission training is underway.
China to launch space station core module this spring
According to Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China’s manned space project, the central module of the space station will launch first this spring, followed by the launch of the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft to complete the encounter. , docking and verification of key related technologies in orbit.
Zhou Jianping, Chief Designer of China Manned Space Project: We will build China’s first long-term orbital manned space station at an internationally advanced level and conduct large-scale space science research on it. We firmly believe that it is at the forefront of scientific exploration. The field also plays an important role in the development of our space technology.
According to the mission plan, the construction of the space station is carried out in two phases. The first flight of Long March 5B has been successfully completed previously and 11 launches will be completed in succession, including the main cabin and two experimental cabins, 4 cargo ships and 4 cargo ships. People spaceship. Between them, during the key technology verification phase, 6 missions were organized, including the launch of the basic module. It is understood that the key technology verification phase of the space station will comprehensively verify new space station technologies such as regenerative life support technology and robotic arms technology, and astronauts will also carry out multiple activities of spatial output.
Zhou Jianping, Chief Designer of China Manned Space Project: Each of these tasks is very important. This includes a host of things, including production, development, testing, launch, recovery and in-orbit management, in-orbit control, and a host of scientific research activities. Therefore, we will fight on multiple fronts. We can.At that time, there were two launch sites and three of our rocket models. Therefore, you will be very busy, and more importantly, to ensure success, ensure quality, ensure safety, and ensure reliability.
In 1992, the Party Central Committee made a “three-step” development strategy for the implementation of manned space projects:
The first step is to launch a manned spacecraft, build a preliminary support experimental manned spacecraft project, and conduct space application experiments;
The second step is to advance the technology of activity outside the astronaut vehicle, the technology of encounter and docking of spacecraft, launch a space laboratory and solve a certain scale of short-term manned space applications;
The third step is to build a space station to solve the problem of large-scale long-term manned space applications.
During the “13th Five-Year Plan” period, China’s manned spaceflight project has successively launched the Long March 7 carrier rocket, the Tiangong-2 space laboratory, the Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft and the cargo spacecraft. Tianzhou-1, checking cargo transportation and thrusters. Key technologies for the construction and operation of the space station, such as in-orbit supplementation and medium-term stationing of astronauts, have laid a solid foundation for the development and construction of the “third step” space station.
China’s space station has entered the full deployment stage
During the period of the “Thirteenth Five-Year Plan”, China’s manned space project has achieved remarkable progress and important results in space laboratory missions and the development and construction of space stations. Strive to complete the in-orbit construction plan around 2022 and prepare for the subsequent realization of the space station’s long-term stable in-orbit operation.
At 18:00 on May 5, 2020, the Long March 5B carrier rocket developed for China’s manned space station project, equipped with a new generation of manned test ship and a return cabin test module of Flexible inflatable cargo, lit up at China’s Wenchang space launch site. Air, the first flight mission was a complete success, laying an important foundation for China’s space station’s orbit-building mission. Before launch, the initial sample products of the central module of the space station were practiced in conjunction with the launch vehicle system, the launch site system and the astronaut system to comprehensively evaluate the correctness of the station system. space.
Yang Hong, Group Lead Designer of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology and Space Station System: We are now intensively conducting various ground experiments to ensure that we can effectively identify risks, control the quality of our products and effectively control the risk can be eliminated during the soil development period.
According to the plan, China’s space station will successively launch the Tianhe core module, Wentian experimental module and Mengtian experimental module, and carry out in-orbit assembly and construction of the basic configuration of the space station. Meanwhile, it plans to launch 4 Shenzhou manned spacecraft and 4 Tianzhou Spacecraft cargo, astronaut crew rotation and cargo replenishment.
Zhou Jianping, Chief Designer of China Manned Space Project: This is the first time that we have built such a large space station, based on the principles of stability, reliability and safety. Once our core module is in orbit, we will launch cargo spacecraft and manned spacecraft one after another. We will further verify key technologies on our space station, including astronaut technology to further verify astronaut departure activities.
Since March 2017, astronaut training has been fully transferred to space station mission readiness. Currently, the astronaut crew have been selected to perform four missions during the construction phase of the space station. The mission period is 3 to 6 months. The crew has participated in nearly a hundred engineering test and development activities, including man and ship. , Joint man-ship-station-land test, underwater verification test for activities outside the cabin and effectiveness evaluation and other tests
Huang Weifen, Chief Designer of China’s Manned Space Engineering Astronaut System: We have considered the flight experience of astronauts, the current situation, their age and psychological compatibility, and further development. Taking these factors into account, we coordinate 4 flight crews, each of which consists of 3 people, and the astronauts who have performed missions serve as commanders.
On October 1, 2020, the third batch of 18 reserve astronauts will join the team of astronauts, including 7 space pilots, 7 space flight engineers and 4 cargo experts, who will participate in various missions during the operation phase of the Spacial station. At present, the development of the central cockpits of China’s space station is progressing smoothly and the space application system is being developed for the space station science experiment facilities and application mission demonstration work during the operation phase.
Hao Chun, Director of China Manned Space Engineering Office: At the same time, we are still organizing plans for manned lunar exploration, deepening demonstrations, and addressing key technologies. I believe that through the efforts of all the astronauts, the Chinese people will surely advance more steadily and further in space exploration.
