This year, we will dream of the universe and make our home in space
The galaxy is mighty, chasing dreams for nine days.
Riding on the wings of dreams, China in 2022 will continue to leave imprints of innovation in the distant and mysterious space with magnificent take-offs and unremitting exploration.
From the first radial rendezvous and docking between Shenshisan and the Tianhe core module, to the completion of the basic configuration of the "T" character of the Chinese space station; The spaceship forms a "natural match"; from the fact that astronauts can stay in space for half a year, to two crews of six astronauts meeting in space... This year's China Aerospace Science and Technology has run out on a new journey to explore the vast universe. Acceleration" also created a monument of the times for China's manned spaceflight in its thirties.
Since then, the "heavenly palace" belonging to the Chinese has a clear appearance.
Lunar soil research, Mars exploration... China's exploration of the universe continues. I believe that more discoveries will bring more surprises to the world in the future.
God Thirteen Returns to Earth
The key technology verification phase of China's space station has come to a perfect conclusion
When the autumn is as thick as wine, it soars into the sky, and the spring is warm and the flowers are blooming.
At 9:56 on April 16, the manned spacecraft Shenzhou 13, which had traveled in space for half a year, landed safely at the Dongfeng Landing Site.
After a lapse of 183 days, the three astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, and Ye Guangfu on a "business trip" in space successfully left the cabin and returned to the embrace of the earth.
From 0:44 on the 16th, the Shenzhou 13 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the Tianhe core module of the space station, to 9:56 when the spacecraft's return module landed at the Dongfeng Landing Field. Earth's fastest speed record.
This record is just one of the many space records created by the Shenzhou 13 manned spacecraft: At 6:56 on October 16, 2021, the Shenzhou spacecraft adopted an autonomous fast rendezvous and docking mode, and docked at the radial port of the Tianhe core module. This is the first radial rendezvous and docking of my country's manned spacecraft in space; on November 8, 2021, Wang Yaping became China's first female astronaut to perform an extravehicular mission, taking the first step of a Chinese female extravehicular spacewalk; 2022 On January 1, 2010, the crew of Shenzhou 13 astronauts ushered in the first ray of sunshine in the New Year in distant space. This is the first time for Chinese to spend New Year’s Eve in space, and it is also the first time for Chinese to celebrate New Year’s Day in a space station built by themselves. .
Astronauts who are getting better will write more "first" records in 2022.
On January 6, my country used the robotic arm of the space station to operate a large-scale on-orbit aircraft for the first time to conduct a transposition test; two days later, on January 8, the astronauts completed the rendezvous and docking of the cargo spacecraft and the space station assembly for the first time through manual remote operation...
The small steps that the Chinese have taken in space have converged into a giant leap for China's spaceflight.
The triumphant return of Shenzhou marks the complete success of the last and sixth mission of the key technology verification phase of China's space station, and also opened the curtain of the construction phase of China's space station.
China Aerospace has stood at a new starting point.
"Zhurong" finds signs of water activity on Mars
Provides clues to unraveling the mysteries of Mars
As the planet most similar to the Earth in the solar system, Mars contains many unknown mysteries, attracting the attention of human beings to explore.
The arrival of China's "Zhurong" Mars rover continues to provide clues to reveal these mysteries.
On May 11, "Science Advances" published an important research result on water activities on Mars.
Using the data obtained by the "Zhurong" rover, Chinese scientists have found signs of water activity in the geologically young "Zhurong" landing area, indicating that this area of Mars may contain a large amount of usable water in the form of hydrous minerals.
This marks the first time in the world that the "Zhu Rong" has used the short-wave infrared spectrometer on the rover to detect hydrous minerals in situ on Mars.
"'Vurong' found signs of water activity in the geologically younger landing area, suggesting that the Martian hydrosphere during the Amazonian period may have been more active than previously thought. This discovery has important implications for understanding the evolution history of Mars' climate and environment ” said Liu Yang, the first author and corresponding author of the paper, and a researcher at the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The research team also used the short-wave infrared spectroscopy and navigation terrain camera data obtained by the "Zhu Rong" rover to discover lithified plate-like hard crusts, which are rich in minerals such as hydrous sulfate.
It is inferred that these hard crusts may be salt minerals crystallized by groundwater overflow or capillary evaporation, which cemented the Martian soil and formed through lithification.
The "Zhurong" Mars exploration journey has received frequent success stories.
On September 26, the results of the world's first radar detection carried out by the "Zhu Rong" rover on the Utopia Plain were published in the internationally authoritative academic journal "Nature".
This study found that under the weathered layer about 10 meters thick on the surface of the Mars rover's landing area, there are two sets of sedimentary sequences that taper upwards, which may reflect the fact that multiple phases were related to water activities 3.5 billion to 3.2 billion years ago. The surface modification process of Mars; now there is no evidence of liquid water at 0-80 meters below the surface of Mars in this area, but the possibility of salt ice cannot be ruled out.
Fourteen Gods Expedition
Carry out a series of popular science education and cultural dissemination activities
The summer wind blew slightly to see off the Shenzhou spacecraft.
The vast sky, looking forward to the arrival of flying heroes.
At 10:44 on June 5th, after the earth-shattering loud noise, the Long March 2F carrier rocket lifted the Shenzhou 14 manned spacecraft carrying 3 astronauts from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center deep in the desert. Get up and fly to the sky.
This is the 23rd mission since the establishment of my country's manned spaceflight project and the third manned mission in the space station phase.
The three astronauts greeted the visits of two space station modules, one manned spacecraft, and one cargo spacecraft on orbit, completed the first on-orbit handover with the Shenzhou 15 astronauts, and witnessed the rendezvous and docking of the cargo spacecraft and the space station The fastest world record and many other historic moments, and used the mission gap to conduct a "Tiangong Classroom" space lecture, and carried out a series of unique science education and cultural communication activities.
Wentian experimental cabin successfully "wentian"
Make the risk of Chinese space station orbit operation more controllable
Sailing the galaxy, chasing dreams for nine days.
On July 24, the Wentian Experimental Module of the Chinese Space Station, supported by the Long March 5B carrier rocket, successfully entered the predetermined orbit and successfully "wentian".
This is the 24th flight mission since the establishment and implementation of my country's manned spaceflight project. The Wentian experimental module is the second module of the Chinese space station and the first scientific experiment module.
The Wentian experimental cabin is composed of three parts: the working cabin, the airlock cabin and the resource cabin. It is the largest single-sealed cabin in my country so far.
There are 3 sleeping areas and 1 sanitary area in the cabin.
After the docking is completed, the number of "beds" on the Chinese space station has increased to six, laying the foundation for the two crews and six astronauts of Shenzhou 14 and Shenzhou 15 to realize the "space reunion".
The Wentian Experimental Cabin is an "all-around player" that integrates platform functions and test load functions.
The Wentian Experimental Module and the Tianhe Core Module are mutual backups, and the key platforms have the same functions, which can completely cover the working requirements of the space station assembly.
In other words, when the Tianhe core module "want to rest", the Wentian experimental module can also "take you to fly together".
In addition to ensuring the long-term stay of astronauts in orbit, the Wentian Experimental Module also provides a special airlock and emergency shelters, making the on-orbit operation risk of the Chinese space station more controllable, and the long-term on-orbit operation more reliable.
In terms of the test load function, the cabin is loaded with 8 experimental cabinets and 22 external load adapters, just like moving a large scientific laboratory into space.
The energy management system of the Wentian experimental cabin is very powerful, with its own high-performance "generator" and "distributor".
After the orbital construction of the space station is completed, a solar panel of the Tianhe core module is transferred to the tail of the resource module of the Wentian experimental module.
The Tianhe core module focuses on the management of the space station, while the Wentian experimental module has become a veritable "main power station".
Successful reusable flight test of suborbital vehicle
Lay the foundation for the development of reusable space transportation technology
On August 26, the reusable flight test of the lift-type suborbital vehicle independently developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, was a complete success.
The carrier used in the flight test, after health inspection and maintenance, was ignited again at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to take off vertically, completed the suborbital flight according to the set procedures, and landed smoothly and horizontally at the Alxa Right Banner Airport, successfully realizing the launch of my country's suborbital carrier First reuse flight.
The complete success of this flight test has effectively promoted the leapfrog development of my country's space transportation technology from one-time use to repeated use.
As early as July 16, one year ago, the carrier of the suborbital reuse demonstration project was ignited and took off on time at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. After completing the flight according to the set procedures, it landed smoothly and horizontally at the Alxa Right Banner Airport. The flight mission was a complete success.
The development of reusable sky-to-earth shuttle space transportation technology is an important symbol of my country's transformation from a space power to a space power. The suborbital reusable vehicle can be used as a sub-level of the lift-type rocket-powered reusable space transportation system, integrating multiple aerospace technologies. .
The success of this project has laid a solid foundation for the development of my country's reusable space transportation technology.
Mengtian Experimental Cabin Launch
Create a space technology application research "dream factory"
On October 31, the Mengtian experimental module of China's space station was successfully lifted off by the Long March 5B carrier rocket, starting the final battle of my country's space station construction mission.
On November 3, the Mengtian experimental module of the Chinese space station successfully completed the relocation, and the assembly of the "T" configuration of the Chinese space station was completed.
At first glance, Mengtian Experimental Cabin and Wentian Experimental Cabin "look very similar", but the former is more rounded and smooth.
Among the four sections of the Mengtian experimental cabin, the working cabin is connected to the core cabin through a docking mechanism. The flexible solar wing; the cargo airlock and the load compartment adopt a unique "matryoshka" design, that is, the airlock is hidden in the "belly" of the load compartment, and is a dedicated channel for cargo to enter and exit the compartment.
"If the Wentian experimental capsule is compared to an 'international airport', the Mengtian experimental capsule is an 'international cargo port'." Meng Yao, the deputy chief designer of the Mengtian experimental capsule at the Space Station of the Eighth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group, introduced that the Mengtian capsule is equipped with unique equipment. Some load transfer mechanisms and fully automatic sliding square hatches allow loads to enter and exit the cabin automatically, instead of relying solely on astronauts to "carry cargo", which greatly breaks through the limitations of the number of times of leaving the cabin, the number and size of loads.
Unlike "Wentian", "Mengtian" is no longer equipped with a regenerative life support system, sleeping area, and sanitation area, but serves as an exclusive "working cabin" that can carry out larger-scale space research experiments and new technology experiments.
Scientists call it a "dream factory" for space science research and application.
The Mengtian experimental module is the module with the strongest load support capability on the Chinese space station. It is equipped with 13 standard load cabinets, mainly for microgravity scientific research, and can support fluid physics, material science, combustion science, basic physics and aerospace technology. Experimental and other multidisciplinary research.
At the same time, there are 37 load installation stations outside the Mengtian cabin, especially two exposed load test platforms that can be deployed on the rail and a fixed exposed platform on the load cabin, so that more thorough " Space Environment" experiment.
3 out-of-vehicle missions in one mission
Verify the functional performance of relevant supporting equipment
"It feels like the earth is right in front of my eyes, so close, rushing towards me." At 18:26 on September 1, Chen Dong, an astronaut on Shenzhou 14, opened the door of the airlock cabin of the Wentian Experimental Module, feeling excited. The emotion is beyond words.
Subsequently, after about 6 hours of extravehicular activity, astronauts Chen Dong, Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe worked closely together to complete all the scheduled tasks during the extravehicular activity.
This is the first time an astronaut has left the cabin from the airlock of the Wentian Experimental Module, and is assisted by a small robotic arm.
During the astronauts' out-of-vehicle activities, the space and the earth were closely coordinated, and the inside and outside of the cabin were closely cooperated. The tasks such as the installation of the extended pump unit of the sky capsule, the lifting of the panoramic camera of the sky capsule, and the verification of the autonomous emergency return outside the cabin were completed. The whole process went smoothly and successfully. The ability of the astronauts to work with the small robotic arm has been verified, and the functional performance of the airlock of the Wentian Experimental Module and related support equipment for extravehicular activities has been verified.
This activity created many "firsts": Astronauts Chen Dong and Liu Yang performed the mission of leaving the cabin for the first time; astronauts left the cabin from the airlock for the first time, and the hatch was more "wide"; the first time a small robotic arm was used to transfer astronaut...
This time out of the cabin is only the prelude to the mission of the God 14 crew to leave the cabin.
On September 17 and November 17, the crew performed another out-of-vehicle mission.
During the third extravehicular activity, the astronauts completed the installation of the connecting device between the Tianhe core module and the Wentian experimental module, the connecting device between the Tianhe core module and the Mengtian experimental module, and built a three-compartment extravehicular walk Astronaut Cai Xuzhe achieved the first extravehicular walk across cabin sections through the "skybridge".
Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft launched successfully
World record for fastest rendezvous and docking
Fly into the sky with a full load of goods, across the sea of stars to the heavenly palace.
On November 12, as a majestic white smoke rose rapidly from the coast of Wenchang, Hainan, the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft was successfully launched under the steady support of the Long March 7-6 carrier rocket.
From pressing the launch button to rendezvous and docking with the space station, the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft took only 2 hours to achieve a gorgeous upgrade from a "space cargo train" to a "space cargo high-speed rail".
my country's rapid rendezvous and docking technology has been successfully implemented in orbit, marking a new technological breakthrough in China's aerospace rendezvous and docking technology.
Tianzhou-5 is my country's fifth cargo spacecraft. It is the first "visitor" welcomed by the Chinese space station after forming a "T" configuration in space, and it is also the first time that Chinese astronauts welcome a cargo spacecraft in orbit.
Tianzhou-5 is a fully sealed cargo spacecraft with the largest active cargo transportation capacity and the most comprehensive on-orbit support capability in the world.
Tianzhou-5 carried about 5 tons of astronaut systems, space station systems and space application fields in total, and carried about 1.4 tons of additional propellant. Provide material support in the field of space station assembly and construction and space applications.
At the same time, Tianzhou-5 also makes full use of the uplink capacity resources of the cargo spacecraft, carries a number of test loads, supports space science and technology experiments, and has the ability to undertake space station attitude orbit control, grid-connected power supply, space station telemetry, and data transmission support. To achieve higher comprehensive benefits.
Unlike previous cargo spacecraft, the docking target of Tianzhou-5 is an 80-ton space station assembly.
The success of this mission also fully proves the adaptability of the docking mechanism of the cargo spacecraft to large-tonnage targets.
God 15 launched successfully
China's space station forms a "three cabins and three ships" combination for the first time
"5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ignite!" At 23:08 on November 29, the Long March 2F Yao 15 carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou 15 manned spacecraft was ignited and launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Ten minutes later, the Shenzhou 15 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and entered the predetermined orbit.
After the spacecraft enters the orbit, it will carry out independent and fast rendezvous and docking with the space station assembly according to the predetermined procedures, and the astronaut crew of Shenzhou 15 and Shenzhou 14 will rotate in orbit.
During the working and living period of the space station, the crew of astronauts will carry out multiple out-of-cabin activities to complete various tasks such as installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair of equipment inside and outside the cabin, assembly management, and space science and technology experiments (tests).
This is the 27th mission since the establishment of my country's manned spaceflight project, and it is also the fourth manned mission after entering the space station stage.
The success of this launch marks the successful completion of all 12 launch missions planned for the key technology verification and construction stages of the space station.
The launch of the Shenzhou 15 manned spacecraft also set a new record for my country's successful launch of a manned spacecraft in ultra-low temperature weather.
During the construction phase of the space station, the launch site carried out an overall transformation of the launch tower, and comprehensively upgraded the non-standard tower handling system, power distribution system, filling gas supply system and air conditioning system.
Before the mission, they conducted a special status review and multiple debugging of the equipment, and the heating effect was significantly improved.
At 5:42 on November 30th, the Shenzhou 15 manned spacecraft autonomously and quickly rendezvoused and docked at the front port of the Tianhe core module, together with the Wentian and Mengtian experimental modules, the Shenzhou 14 and Tianzhou 5 spacecraft, For the first time, China's space station has formed a combination of "three cabins and three ships", reaching the largest configuration currently designed, with a total weight of nearly 100 tons.
Chinese scientists discover new minerals on the moon for the first time
"Chang'e Stone" deepens human understanding of the moon and the solar system
380,000 kilometers away from the earth, the secrets of the moon are being revealed little by little.
On September 9, the National Space Administration and the National Atomic Energy Agency jointly announced that Chinese scientists discovered a new mineral on the moon for the first time, and named it "Chang'e Stone".
This mineral is the sixth new mineral discovered by humans on the moon. The size of its single crystal particles is only 10 microns, which is less than 1/10 of the diameter of a hair.
my country has become the third country in the world to discover new minerals on the moon. This is another major scientific achievement made by the Chang'e-5 lunar sample research.
According to experts, "Chang'e Stone" was discovered in the basalt debris of the Chang'e-5 lunar sample. It is a new type of phosphate mineral belonging to the meteorite group.
"The discovery of new minerals provides more basic scientific data for the formation and evolution of the moon, and deepens mankind's understanding of the moon and the solar system." Dong Baotong, deputy director of the National Atomic Energy Agency, said that this is an achievement my country has made in the field of space science It is a major scientific achievement and a successful exploration of cross-industry and cross-professional collaboration.
In addition to the "Chang'e Stone", 2022 will be a fruitful year for the study of Chang'e-5 lunar soil samples.
In January 2022, the Chinese team obtained the water content of the lunar surface under in situ conditions for the first time.
The latest research shows that there are about 120 grams of water in 1 ton of lunar soil, and about 180 grams of water in 1 ton of rock.
Combined with sample analysis, most of the water in the lunar soil comes from the solar wind, and the excess water in the rocks may be the internal water of the moon.
In May 2022, Chinese scholars studied 0.2 grams of lunar soil samples and found that some of the components could be used as catalysts to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and fuel under the action of sunlight.
In June 2022, Chinese researchers published a paper announcing the discovery of a layer of amorphous glass on the surface of ilmenite particles in lunar soil.
(Science and Technology Daily)