Schematic diagram of a new generation of manned spacecraft
Three huge red and white "umbrella flowers" were placed above the Dongfeng recovery landing site in Jiuquan. The return cabin seemed to press the slow-release button and slowly swayed to the ground.
In the lobby of the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center, people are nervously watching the synchronization on the big screen. The return cabin is getting closer and closer to the ground, six airbags are opened, the landing cushion, and a smooth landing. The long-awaited applause suddenly filled the entire hall.
The return cabin of the new-generation manned spacecraft test ship (hereinafter referred to as the "test ship") successfully landed in the scheduled area of the Jiuquan Dongfeng recovery landing site, which marked the successful success of the test ship flight test mission and also meant that China ’s manned spaceflight business started. New chapter.
Perfectly verify the seven key technologies, paving a new "sky" of space
The main goal of this mission is to verify the correctness of the new generation manned spacecraft program. It is understood that in order to verify more technology and equipment, the development team arranged high-density flight events for the test ship. During the orbit flight, the test ship has to complete dozens of key actions and carry out a number of carrying tests. It can be said that every minute is arranged to be full.
From successful launch to safe return, the test vessel performed perfectly. For scientific researchers, the 7 key technologies that they care about most and are related to the success or failure of the task have been verified one by one, which points the way to the development of a new spacecraft in the next stage.
These 7 key technologies are-
1. During the orbital flight phase, the first single-component non-toxic engine with the highest thrust in the world was successfully used for the first show. The HAN propellant used in this engine has the advantages of non-toxic, non-polluting, low freezing point, high density, high specific impulse and low use and maintenance costs. It will fully replace the existing propellant in the future and further improve the safety of astronauts.
2. The largest volume surface tension tank used in the current domestic spacecraft for the first time performed perfectly. This storage tank adopts aluminum alloy lining + composite material winding structure, with more loading capacity, which can provide greater track maneuverability for the test ship. During the orbit flight, the test ship easily completed multiple orbit changes and entered a large elliptical orbit, creating sufficient conditions for high-speed re-entry and return at a large re-entry angle.
3. A more comprehensive and integrated electronic system does not help. In the course of the mission, the system has successfully completed the functions of the whole ship bus management, time system management, data storage, contact signal processing, and thermal control management, making the operation of the spacecraft more efficient.
4. More intelligent autonomous track control technology plays well. During orbit operation, the attitude control engine performs attitude control to maintain the three-axis ground-to-ground attitude and attitude stability during orbit change and braking; the orbit control engine achieves multiple orbit changes and successfully performs return braking, with precise control The test ship completed the space flight.
5. In the reentry phase, the new heat-resistant structure and materials used for the first time have been tested. The entire heat protection structure maintains extremely high heat protection efficiency on the basis of a weight reduction of more than 30% year-on-year. The new lightweight heat-resistant material adopted not only withstands the high-temperature ablation of thousands of degrees during the reentry return process, but also protects the safety of the return cabin. Moreover, the heat-proof structure adopts the detachable replacement design for the first time, which can effectively improve the reusable rate. After returning, only one "physical examination" is required, a new set of heat-proof structure is replaced, and the next task can be put into the return cabin.
6. The first use of group umbrella pneumatic deceleration and airbag landing buffer technology escorted home. After the return cabin enters the atmosphere, after reaching the specified altitude, the 2 deceleration umbrellas and 3 main umbrellas are opened in sequence, successfully reducing the speed of the return cabin from "aircraft flight speed" to "vehicle urban driving speed"; before landing, 6 airbag Inflation opens to help the cabin "soft land" smoothly, ensuring the safe and complete recovery of the return cabin to the greatest extent.
Early-stage heavy-duty airbag cushioning technology test
7. Tailored on-orbit data acquisition system provides scientific support for future development. During the mission, the system obtained the ship and arrow separation impact load and the load environment of the launching, flying in orbit and returning to the landing process through a variety of sensor networks; by measuring the pressure and temperature of the characteristic points on the return bottom and side wall surface , The aerodynamic and thermal characteristic parameters of the high-speed reentry process of the return cabin were obtained. These valuable data will provide an important reference for the development and optimization of subsequent models of the new spacecraft.
From running to running, the Chinese manned spacecraft is firmly moving towards the world-class
Manned spaceflight represents the comprehensive national strength and scientific and technological strength of a country and can promote the development of multi-disciplinary and multi-technical fields. Since entering the 21st century, space, as the fourth territory of mankind, has become a strategic "commanding height" to ensure national security and realize national interests. Since 1992, China ’s manned spaceflight project has moved forward in accordance with the “three-step” development strategy, and has broken through and mastered a series of key manned spaceflight technologies, realizing China ’s manned spaceflight project Leapfrog development to many people, from one day to many days, from space exit to rendezvous and docking.
A new generation of manned spaceship test ship is tested on the ground
After mission verification, the main technical indicators of the new-generation manned spacecraft test ship have reached the international advanced level. Compared with internationally advanced space shuttles, China's new generation manned spacecraft is no less capable, with the ability to adapt to multi-mission requirements, greater orbital maneuverability, and land and water landing capabilities.
The complete success of the test ship's flight mission marks that China's new generation of manned spacecraft has already taken shape. The follow-up scientific researchers will carry out in-depth demonstration of the overall plan of the new-generation manned spacecraft according to the mission requirements, and as soon as possible to improve and develop a new-generation manned spacecraft with high carrying capacity and freight transportation capabilities, suitable for near-Earth space stations and manned deep space exploration missions. To make China's manned space shuttle transportation technology fully realize the leap from following to running, let the Chinese explore the space more steadily and farther, and contribute more to the early realization of the great dream of building a space power.