Author: our reporter Cui Xingyi
"Guangming Daily" (page 16 on February 24, 2022)
The white paper "2021 China's Aerospace" was released recently. In addition to systematically introducing my country's major projects and scientific applications in the aerospace field since 2016, it also introduced the main tasks, policies and measures, international exchanges and cooperation of my country's aerospace industry development in the next five years. and so on.
"China's major aerospace projects are at a turning point that links the previous and the next." Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the National Space Administration, introduced that the major engineering projects started 15 years ago have basically reached the stage of completion and normal operation and application, and now they are planning to implement the next 15 years. For major projects and major tasks, "China Aerospace paid more attention to the promotion of space technology in the past, and in the new era, we emphasize to lead technological innovation and promote sustainable development with new discoveries in space applications and space scientific research."
What to look forward to in the next five years
The launch vehicle has formed diversified launch capabilities on land and sea, and has carried out a total of 207 launches in the past five years;
The construction of China's space station has been fully implemented, and 6 astronauts have been stationed successively, opening the era of long-term presence;
Chang'e 4 landed on the back of the moon for the first time for inspection and exploration, and Chang'e 5 brought back 1731 grams of lunar soil;
Tianwen-1 realized the leap of Chinese spaceflight from the Earth-Moon system to interplanetary exploration, leaving China's imprint on Mars for the first time;
The Beidou global satellite navigation system has been completed and opened, and the high-resolution earth observation system has formed system capabilities...
In the past five years, the implementation of major projects has played a huge role in promoting and driving my country's space science.
For example, in terms of historical evolution, "through the study of the shallow structure of the moon, a new understanding of the evolution history of the moon, especially in terms of geology, has been obtained." Liu Jizhong, director of the Lunar Exploration and Aerospace Engineering Center of the National Space Administration, introduced that through the The analysis and study of the lunar samples of Chang'e 5 deduced the time axis of the lunar geological activities from the original 3 billion years to 2 billion years, which means that the moon is about 1 billion years younger. "These cognitions about the moon, Including the evolution of lunar landforms, it plays a very critical role."
Liu Jizhong said that in terms of material energy, through preliminary research, a new type of deep lunar material was discovered, and a more accurate fine structure of cosmic ray energy spectrum was also found so far; in terms of space environment, through several years of scientific research, the lunar The particle radiation dose has a new understanding and a new value.
"We also discovered the lunar micro-magnetosphere, which established a new model and mechanism for the interaction between the solar wind and the moon. Through observations of the Earth from space, we have also gained a new understanding of the entire evolution of the Earth's plasma layer." Liu Jizhong Say.
The foundation is solid and the future is promising.
So, during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, what are the highlights of China Aerospace to look forward to?
According to Wu Yanhua, during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, my country will start a number of new major aerospace projects, including the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project and the planetary exploration project, as well as a number of major projects such as the implementation of heavy-duty launch vehicles, which will be continued after the approval. implement.
"We must promote the integrated and coordinated development of space technology and space applications, especially the coordinated construction of space infrastructure, including communication, navigation, and remote sensing satellites, to form a complete space infrastructure, promote satellite applications, and widely serve economic and social development. , and serve the world at the same time." Wu Yanhua said that the next step will be to make overall planning for space scientific exploration and launch a batch of satellites for scientific demonstration.
At the same time, we should make good use of platforms such as space stations, lunar exploration and planetary exploration, carry out in-depth scientific research, strive for original scientific discoveries, and make contributions to mankind.
The results of the key "Xihe" exploration to the sun can be expected
The "Xihe" satellite is my country's first scientific and technological experimental satellite for solar exploration.
After Chang'e-5 successfully returned to the moon and Tianwen-1 successfully carried out the "circling, landing, and patrolling" exploration of Mars, the "Xihe" allowed my country to realize the detection of the solar system within one year. The full coverage of Earth, planetary and solar exploration has played a "trio" of my country's deep space exploration.
After more than three months of on-orbit testing and experiments, the "Xihe" satellite has completed more than 40 satellite platform technical verifications, and has carried out more than 290 detections and imaging of the sun. and performance to meet the general requirements of development.
At present, the "Xihe" satellite has achieved a series of technical and scientific experimental results.
According to Zhao Jian, director of the Earth Observation and Data Center of the National Space Administration, first, the ultra-high pointing accuracy and ultra-high stability technology of the new high-precision satellite platform has been verified in orbit. Both the pointing accuracy and stabilization accuracy of the satellites are improved by two orders of magnitude.
Second, in terms of solar scientific exploration, this is the first time in the world that the solar H-α spectral line, the H-α band spectral image of the whole sun has been obtained on-orbit.
What is the solar H-alpha line?
"This is the spectral line generated by the electron energy level transition after the interaction between photons and hydrogen atoms. It is the spectral line with the strongest response when the sun erupts, and can directly reflect the characteristics of the eruption." Zhao Jian introduced that previous human observations of the sun , the H-α spectral line can only be detected on the earth, but because of atmospheric disturbance, this data is discontinuous and unstable.
"Now through satellite in-orbit detection, these unstable factors can be removed, high-resolution observation and imaging of the sun can be performed, and changes in physical quantities such as atmospheric temperature and velocity during solar eruption can be obtained more accurately, and then the solar eruption can be established. The complete physical model of energy accumulation, release and transmission from the photosphere to the corona provides key data for the study of the dynamic process and physical mechanism of the solar eruption, and is expected to obtain scientific output with international influence." Zhao Jian said.
Regarding my country's future plans to explore the sun, Zhao Jian said that scientists are currently carrying out relevant demonstration studies to further understand the structure of the sun, determine the characteristics of solar activity, master its mechanism and activity laws, and better predict space weather for the benefit of mankind.
Focus on Chang'e 8 launch before 2030
At present, the state has approved the four phases of the lunar exploration project, including the Chang'e 6, Chang'e 7, and Chang'e 8 missions. These three missions will be implemented in the next 10 years.
"The Chang'e-4 we have launched has landed on the far side of the moon, and the mission has been successfully implemented." Liu Jizhong said that there are three more missions to follow.
Chang'e-6 will go to high-value areas of the moon for sampling and return, and new lunar soil and new samples will be returned to Earth in the future.
Chang'e 7 is mainly for scientific exploration of the polar regions of the moon, especially the distribution of water on the moon.
Chang'e 8 will carry out scientific exploration in the polar region and verify the follow-up key technologies for the scientific research station.
"In the whole fourth phase of lunar exploration, we basically have to achieve the goal of building a basic scientific research station, and also lay the foundation for the subsequent construction of an international lunar scientific research station with international cooperation. We are also in close communication and coordination with our international counterparts on these tasks, and will work together Cooperate to carry out related detection." Liu Jizhong introduced that, for example, the Chang'e 7 mission has signed an agreement with Russia's "luna-26" to jointly conduct detection.
"According to the current overall development progress, around 2025, we will complete the related work of Chang'e 6 and Chang'e 7, and carry out the development of Chang'e 8 at the same time; before 2030, we will complete the launch of Chang'e 8. Before 2030, The fourth phase of the lunar exploration can achieve the expected results.”
Plan to focus on building an international lunar scientific research station
"In general, like the Earth's South Pole Station and North Pole Station, the future tends to build ground scientific research facilities at the lunar South Pole, build scientific research experimental facilities on the lunar orbit and lunar surface, and carry out multi-disciplinary and multi-target scientific research work." Wu Yanhua introduced Say.
So, what is the International Lunar Research Station?
How to work in the future?
my country and Russia will jointly build an international lunar scientific research station.
"Our Chang'e 6, Chang'e 7 and the corresponding missions planned by Russia will take about 5 years to complete the survey work before the station is established. We will take another 10 years to complete the facility construction. Building a lunar scientific research station is like Just like building a small town, it must have an energy system, a communication and navigation system, a long-distance transportation system, a sky-earth round-trip system, and a ground support system. If considering the long-term goal of permanent residence, it must be There is a life support system." Wu Yanhua said that after 2035, it is planned to conduct scientific expeditions on the moon according to the scientific expedition tasks of various countries and organizations.
"The Chinese and Russian space agencies will also officially release the declaration of the construction of an international lunar scientific research station to the world, and release the construction principles and participation purposes to the international community." Wu Yanhua revealed that in general, at various stages of a mission or project, Including various task levels of construction, whether it is system level, sub-system level or equipment level, or scientific data sharing and research level, including heaven and earth support level, "We will build together without any limitation."
The input-output ratio is 1:10, and the "economic account" of aerospace returns is calculated like this
Is it worth spending so much money on spaceflight?
This is a question that is often asked.
Not to mention feelings and responsibilities, but only economic accounts, the return of space exploration is also extremely considerable.
"The development of spaceflight does require high investment. However, spaceflight and its applications have greater benefits. According to preliminary statistics, an input-output ratio of more than 1:10 can be achieved." According to the Earth Observation and Data Center of the National Space Administration Director Zhao Jian introduced that at present, aerospace applications have been widely used in various economic and social fields such as land and resources survey, environmental protection, agricultural development, forest and grass monitoring, disaster prevention and mitigation, weather forecasting, marine development, transportation, education and medical care, and urban and rural construction. , the new technology applications derived from it have also entered thousands of households, and ordinary people can also experience the beautiful life created by aerospace technology.
Zhao Jian gave an example. Communication and broadcasting satellites can open global mobile communications, broadcast live broadcasts, and provide high-speed broadband Internet access for the public, which greatly facilitates people's digital life in the information age; satellite navigation and positioning has become an indispensable assistant in people's daily lives. , which greatly facilitates people's transportation and travel, and changes people's production and way of life; meteorological satellites can provide accurate weather forecasts for the world and specific regions, and provide warm and thoughtful weather guarantees for people's clothing, food, housing and transportation.
For example, people have more and more urgent needs to deal with official business and leisure learning on planes and high-speed rails, but the intermittent signals bring a lot of inconvenience.
At the sixth "China Space Day" aerospace industry achievement exhibition, Yang Jian, director of the 25 advanced communication technology research laboratories of the Second Academy of Aerospace Science and Industry, introduced an innovative product called "two-dimensional phased array user station".
After this product is installed on the high-speed rail, as an important part of the space-based broadband Internet system, it can establish a data transmission link between users and satellites, and problems such as WeChat can't be sent out, calls can't be received, and other problems can be easily solved, achieving extreme speed. go online.
"Don't look at this phased array user is inconspicuous. It looks like it is only the size of a laptop computer and has no mechanical parts. But it is a powerful tool for optimizing communication signals, easy to carry, and suitable for various scenarios such as aviation, sailing, and automobiles."
In terms of disaster prevention and mitigation, satellites are just showing their talents because they are not disturbed by extreme weather!
According to reports, in response to the severe flood disaster caused by the sudden heavy rain in Zhengzhou last year, the major special engineering center of the National Defense Science and Technology Bureau urgently activated the emergency response mechanism, and called the Gaofen-3 SAR satellite and the Gaofen-6 satellite to carry out emergency imaging.
In two days, satellite imaging was arranged 4 times, and 5 scenes of effective data in the disaster area were obtained, which were immediately provided to emergency departments such as the Ministry of Emergency Management and the Ministry of Water Resources, which effectively played a role in supporting space emergency information.
"The high-definition cloud map of typhoon observation produced by the high-resolution satellite can clearly observe the structure of the typhoon eye and the law of movement changes, and there is no omission of typhoons generated throughout the year around the world, which greatly reduces the cost of disaster prevention and mitigation. Forest fires and dealing with flood disasters have also played a very important role." Zhao Jian introduced that a volcanic eruption occurred in Tonga some time ago, and the China National Space Administration activated the Earth Observation Satellite System in an emergency, and mobilized more than ten satellites for high-altitude satellites. Frequency observation, timely provide relevant image data to international organizations, and contribute to China's strength.
"To the vast and the most subtle" is an important guideline for the development of aerospace technology.
While promoting the leapfrog development of space science and space technology, this "economic account" must be calculated and used.
"The further development and utilization of aerospace technology will help us jointly protect this blue planet and benefit the people." Zhao Jian said affirmatively.
(Our reporter Cui Xingyi)