Longzhou 7 rocket launch (photo by Deng Yunan)
At 10:03 Beijing time on November 12, the Long March 7 Yao-6 carrier rocket carrying the Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft was ignited and launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in my country. The Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft was successfully separated from the rocket and entered the predetermined orbit. The spacecraft solar windsurfing successfully started work and the launch was a complete success.
only took 2 hours! The rapid rendezvous and docking set a record-breaking
rocket ignited and took off, at 12:10, the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft conducted independent rapid rendezvous and docking with the space station assembly operating in orbit. This is the first time that the "T" configuration of the China Space Station has been assembled in orbit in , and has welcomed "Tianzhou Express" in space. This rendezvous and docking mission, which lasted only about 2 hours, set the fastest rendezvous and docking record in aerospace history. Compared with the previous 6.5-hour rapid rendezvous and docking of
and the previous 6.5-hour rapid rendezvous and docking of in Tianzhou freight spacecraft, Tianzhou 5 mainly adjusted the plan from two aspects: First, the control and guidance strategy for rendezvous and docking was optimized. The long-distance guidance process was compressed from multiple turns to less than one turn, and the multiple orbital maneuvers were compressed into two comprehensive orbital maneuvers. The time spent on this part was reduced from the original about 4 hours to about 1 hour; Second, in the close-range autonomous control section, multiple berths were reduced to confirm the status of the spacecraft, which was similar to the reduction of the number of parking stations by EMUs, which accelerated the approach speed. In this way, the duration of this stage was shortened from more than 2 hours to about 40 minutes.
, a two-hour rapid rendezvous and docking, has very realistic significance for the long-term on-orbit operation of my country's space station. It can greatly improve my country's space emergency rescue capabilities, greatly shorten the transportation time, and make it possible to transport special fresh test products. If this technology is applied to Shenzhou manned spacecraft, it will greatly reduce the flight time of astronauts to the space station and enter the space station as soon as possible.
Tianzhou 5's entire rendezvous and docking process is controlled by the spacecraft guidance navigation and control (GNC) system developed by the Institute of 502 of the Fifth Academy. Xie Yongchun, chief expert of the 502 rendezvous and docking, introduced that 2-hour rendezvous and docking is only an option for the spacecraft rendezvous and docking GNC system. The spacecraft's GNC system can independently select rendezvous and docking modes of different lengths according to the rocket entering orbit. Among them, 2-hour fast rendezvous and docking is the fastest mode at present. In addition, 3-hour, 5-hour and 6.5-hour plans can also be selected. The successful implementation of the rapid rendezvous and docking of
Tianzhou 5 marks that my country's independent orbital setting technology has higher accuracy, higher attitude orbit control accuracy, higher level of comprehensive guidance technology, and more optimized flight control process. It also marks that the rendezvous and docking mode is more diverse, more rich in functions, and stronger adaptability, that is, my country's space rendezvous and docking technology is becoming more mature.
starts to dismantle "express"! The Shenzhou 14 astronaut entered Tianzhou 5
According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office , the Shenzhou 14 astronaut crew successfully opened the Tianzhou 5 cargo compartment door at 14:18 Beijing time on November 13. After completing environmental testing and other preparations, they successfully entered the Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft at 15:03. In the future, the astronaut crew will carry out cargo transfer and other related work as planned. What is the "Space Express" installed in
?
What "space express delivery" did Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft deliver to the Chinese space station this time?
It is understood that Tianzhou 5 upstream supplies are about 6.7 tons, loaded with astronaut systems, space station systems, space application fields, and experimental loads exceed 5.2 tons, and carried 1.4 tons of supplementary propellant. It will provide material support for the three crew members of the Shenzhou 15 crew in orbit, the assembly and construction of space stations and space applications.
Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft (Photo source: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation)
is loaded with more abundant fresh fruits and vegetables in the daily supplies brought to astronauts. Through special preservation methods, it can be kept fresh for about 60 days. The "Space Express" also comes with a "Spring Festival Gift Pack" and a gift from the two crews of "God 14" and "God 15" to hand over the space station. What is the specific answer to this surprise gift will be revealed in the future.
In addition, Tianzhou V is also equipped with "Macau Student Science Popularization Satellite 1", aerospace hydroxide fuel cells, and space wide energy spectrum high-energy particle detection loads and other test projects.
"loaded eight storage boxes, Tianzhou 3 and Tianzhou 4 only loaded four storage boxes. This time we carried three experiments and five payload equipment to carry out space experiments." Zhang Zhenhua, the general deputy chief designer of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group, introduced that Tianzhou 5 also brought about 1 kilogram of plant seeds to the space station astronauts, including rice, wheat, corn, and a small amount of trees, to carry out the aerospace breeding experiment.
This time, Tianzhou V also carried my country's first space application fuel cell to lift off, which will verify the operating characteristics of fuel cells in space environments such as microgravity , and provide strong support for my country's subsequent tasks.
According to Lei Jianyu, the overall responsible designer of the spacecraft system of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group, after Tianzhou 5 successfully docked with the space station and the "space express" arrived successfully, astronauts can enter the spacecraft as soon as the next day to "dismantle the express". "As our mission deepens, the time for astronauts to enter the spacecraft will become faster and faster after the cargo spacecraft docking."
At present, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is synchronizing the preparation of the manned spacecraft launch and recovery mission, and the Shenzhou 15 manned flight mission has fully entered the preparation stage. After the rendezvous and docking is completed, Tianzhou V will be transferred to the combined flight section and witness the first rotation of the two crews in orbit in space.
"Cosmic Express" witnessed the upgrade of the strength of "Tianzhou"
not only has a lot of supplies, but this "cosmic-level goods delivery" is full of highlights. After the Chinese space station formed a "T" configuration, it welcomed "visitors" for the first time. Chinese astronauts "received express delivery" in space for the first time, achieved rapid 2-hour rendezvous and docking for the first time, and carried China's first space application fuel cell... As the fourth cargo spacecraft to visit China's space station, the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft has made many "firsts".
"first time" not only demonstrates the progress and development of technology in my country's aerospace field, but also lays a solid foundation for us to continue to develop the aerospace industry. The success of the Tianzhou-5 mission fully proves the adaptability of the cargo spacecraft docking mechanism to large-tonnage targets. The breakthrough in the 2-hour rapid rendezvous and docking technology is of great practical significance to the long-term on-orbit operation of China's space station. After the transportation time is greatly shortened, it is possible to transport special fresh test products and greatly enhance space emergency rescue capabilities. As the space station enters a long-term on-orbit operation stage, the "cosmic-level cargo sales" in the next few years will be carried out regularly to continue to provide guarantees for the transportation of space station materials. In addition, China's first space application fuel cell equipped this time will also provide theoretical guidance and data support for subsequent aerospace fuel cell application design, promote the development of aerospace fuel cell engineering application, and provide strong support for the promotion of my country's manned lunar exploration missions.
"This 'express delivery' is faster than our Double Eleven city!" "World record, China is proud!" "Every time, there are constant surprises, which makes my country awesome!"... Many netizens wrote such messages after watching the live video of Tianzhou 5 launching. Between the lines, they are all proud of the development of China's aerospace industry and the development of China's science and technology. In the future, China Aerospace will also create more Chinese speed, Chinese altitude, and Chinese miracles, let us look forward to it together!
Source: Xiaokang Headlines Comprehensive China Aerospace Science and Technology Group, CCTV News, Southern Daily
Editor: Wu Jinyang
Proofreading: Zhou Jingtao
Review: Wang Fang
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