China News Agency, Beijing, March 31 (Ma Shuisha) According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft was controlled to re-enter the atmosphere at 18:40 on March 31, Beijing time. Some of the devices were ablated and destroyed, and a small amount of debris fell into the predetermined safe waters of the South Pacific.
After bidding farewell to the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft, the Shenzhou 13 astronaut crew is making various preparations for the return, and plans to return to the ground in mid-April.
Tianzhou-2 is the first cargo spacecraft launched in the key technology verification stage of the Chinese space station. It was launched into orbit on May 29, 2021. This is also the first applied flight of the cargo transportation system of the Chinese space station, sending 6.8 tons to the space station. Supply supplies.
During its in-orbit operation, the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft has conducted 4 rendezvous and docking with the Tianhe core module, and completed a number of expansions such as spacecraft orbital flight, robotic arm transfer module verification, and manual remote operation rendezvous and docking as planned. Application test.
After being separated from the space station, the spacecraft's propellant margin was fully utilized to successfully implement a 2-hour rapid rendezvous test between the cargo spacecraft and the space station, accumulating experience for the orbital construction and operation management of the space station.
After bidding farewell to the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft, the astronaut crew in orbit is intensively preparing for the return of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft.
On October 16, 2021, astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu took the Shenzhou 13 manned spacecraft into the Tianhe core module at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, becoming the second batch of astronauts to stay in the Chinese space station.
During the more than 160 days of space flight, three astronauts, with the support of ground scientists and technicians, successfully completed 2 out-of-vehicle activities, 2 "Tiangong Classroom" space teaching activities, and carried out a number of scientific and technological experiments and application projects.
Wang Yaping became the first female astronaut in China to carry out an extravehicular activity. The astronaut completed the docking of the cargo spacecraft with the space station through teleoperation for the first time in orbit. The flight crew set a new record for the continuous flight duration of Chinese astronauts, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent construction of the space station. Solid foundation.
During the Shenzhou 13 manned mission, Chinese astronauts celebrated New Year's Eve in space for the first time and celebrated the Spring Festival in space for the first time.
With the support on the ground, the flight crew took advantage of the work training gap to participate in the "Beijing, Hong Kong and Macao Tiangong Dialogue" activity on New Year's Day, held the first Chinese Tiangong painting exhibition, carried out interactive exchanges with young people, and carried out unique science education and cultural dissemination. Activity.
At present, the core module assembly of the space station is running stably in orbit, and the astronaut crew plans to return to the ground in mid-April.
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