Science and Technology Daily, Beijing, November 30th (Feng Qingling reporter Fu Yifei) The reporter learned from the China Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on November 30th that the Shenzhou 15 manned spacecraft launch was successfully carried out at the center on the evening of November 29th. The mission set a new record for my country's successful launch of a manned spacecraft in ultra-low temperature weather.
It is reported that my country successfully launched the Shenzhou 4 spacecraft in a low-temperature environment on December 30, 2002, and the Shenzhou 15 mission is the first manned launch in an environment of minus 20 degrees Celsius.
On the eve of the launch, a strong cold air raided the launch site area, and it snowed twice in succession. The lowest temperature broke the historical extreme of nearly 40 years, which was close to the lowest temperature condition for the launch of the Long March 2F carrier rocket.
In the face of the extremely cold weather, various systems of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center took various measures simultaneously, each with their own unique tricks, to escort the smooth take-off of the "Shenzhen Arrow".
The temperature at the tail of the rocket engine nozzle cannot be lower than zero degrees Celsius, otherwise it will affect the normal ignition and take-off of the rocket.
In order to keep the tail of the rocket engine nozzle warm, the staff made a canvas enclosure overnight, and added two mobile explosion-proof hot air fans to continuously send hot air to the engine nozzle, so that it can withstand the extreme cold outdoors at minus 20 degrees Celsius. Maintain a suitable temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius.
During the construction phase of the space station, the launch site carried out an overall transformation of the tower, and comprehensively upgraded the non-standard tower handling system, power distribution system, filling gas supply system and air conditioning system.
Before the mission, the staff conducted a special status review and multiple adjustments to the equipment, and the heating effect was significantly improved.
Before the ship-arrow assembly is transferred to the launch area, the test and launch department plans in advance, starting from the ground facilities and equipment of the launch site, and conducts operation assessments under low temperature conditions on the tower platform, launch pad, pendulum, air conditioner, power distribution and other equipment to ensure The ground facility equipment does not have any problems under low temperature conditions.
In response to various extreme weather conditions that may arise, the staff prepared 209 pieces of thermal insulation materials in 10 categories, and put on "scarves" and "cold-proof clothing and boots" for the products.
After the ship and arrow assembly was transferred to the launch area, in order to provide a good working environment for the ship and arrow assembly, the staff sealed the tower gaps and cable perforations to ensure that the temperature, humidity, and cleanliness of each level of the tower were accurately regulated.
In order to minimize the exposure time of the product in the low-temperature environment, at the last moment of the launch, the staff delayed the opening time of the tower, and postponed the fourth group of rotary platforms that were originally opened for minus two hours to minus one hour, which was originally minus 50 minutes. The second and third groups of rotary platforms were delayed to minus 30 minutes to ensure the smooth launch of the rocket.
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center was established in October 1958. It is the earliest comprehensive space launch site and the only manned space launch site in China. It has successfully launched 15 Shenzhou spacecraft including 10 manned spacecraft. 1, 26 astronauts were sent into space.