Tiangong-1 [1] (Tiangong-1 or Tiangong 1[2]) is the first target aircraft in China. Launched at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on September 29th, 20 1 1, 2 1, 16 minutes and 3 seconds.
Tiangong-1 (5 rounds) was launched by the Long March II FT 1 rocket, with a total length of 52 meters and a carrying capacity of 8.6 tons. Tiangong-1 was designed to run in orbit for two years. [3] Tiangong-1 is called "target spacecraft" because it is a passive target in the space rendezvous and docking test. (2) One of the main tasks of Tiangong-1 is to provide the target spacecraft for the space rendezvous and docking test. The Shenzhou series spacecraft launched later will be called "tracking aircraft" and will approach the target aircraft actively after entering orbit. [4] The launch of Tiangong-1 marks the second step of China Aerospace's "three-step" strategy (that is, mastering the space rendezvous and docking technology and establishing a space laboratory); At the same time, it is also the starting point of China Space Station, which indicates that China has the ability to build a preliminary space station, that is, a short-term unattended space station.
primary mission
(1) As the rendezvous and docking target, Tiangong-1 target aircraft cooperated with Shenzhou-8 to complete the space rendezvous and docking flight test. (2) Ensure the life and work of astronauts during their short stay in orbit and ensure the safety of astronauts. (3) Carry out space applications (including space environment and space physical exploration), space science experiments, space medical experiments and space combat technology experiments. (4) Initially establish a space experimental platform with short-term manned and long-term unmanned independent and reliable operation, and accumulate experience for building a space station [6].
technical characteristics
First, Tiangong-1 will complete the rendezvous and docking mission. China has adopted a three-step development strategy for manned space flight, from Shenzhou-1 to Shenzhou-6, and realized the manned spacecraft Tiangong-1.
[25] Sending astronauts to the sky safely and returning to the ground safely is the first development strategy; The second step is to solve the extravehicular activity and rendezvous and docking technology; The third step is to build a space station in China. In the second step, Shenzhou VII realized the extravehicular activity and achieved a technological breakthrough, and rendezvous and docking is the most critical and insurmountable technology to solve the construction of the space station. The construction of the future space station will be combined with multi-cabin. Rendezvous and docking technology is the most critical technology and an important technical foundation. Secondly, the Tiangong-1 target spacecraft is the first low-orbit long-life spacecraft developed and launched in China. Its characteristics are different from manned spacecraft, which is a means of transportation between heaven and earth. Tiangong-1 is mainly used for space science experiments of a certain scale, and at the same time completes the rendezvous and docking mission to provide living and working conditions for astronauts. It can be said that Tiangong-1 is also the prototype of the future space laboratory. Third, the Tiangong-1 target aircraft has adopted many new technologies. These new technologies are mainly used in space technology, and are also preliminary technical verification for the construction and test of future space stations. Finally, the Tiangong-1 target aircraft is the largest manned spacecraft developed in China at present. In this largest manned spacecraft, we have made a number of humanized designs, providing astronauts with 15 cubic meters of working and living space, and equipped with exercise and entertainment facilities. Astronauts can realize videophone communication with the ground and engage in personal entertainment activities.
Docking process
During the Shenzhou-8, Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 missions, China will break through the docking technology between unmanned and manned spacecraft and build the first space laboratory, named Tiangong-1. This was revealed by Zhang Jianqi, deputy commander-in-chief of manned spaceflight project and deputy commander-in-chief of Shenzhou VII mission command, in an exclusive interview with China Manned Space Engineering Network. After Tiangong-1, Shenzhou-8, Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 will be launched to dock with it. Regarding the type of docking, Zhang Jianqi said that "Shenzhou-8" is definitely unmanned, and whether someone docked "Shenzhou-9" or "Shenzhou-10" mainly depends on whether the rendezvous and docking of "Shenzhou-8" is smooth. Only after three successful docking can the second strategic goal be fully realized. The success of "rendezvous and docking" is undoubtedly the key to achieving strategic goals and is recognized as the bottleneck of space technology. In the early stage of manned space activities abroad, the spacecraft failed in the process of rendezvous and docking in space. For example, the Russian "Progress M3-4" spacecraft collided with the "Peace" space station during docking. Regarding the technical strength of rendezvous and docking in China, Qi Faren, the former chief designer of shenzhou spaceship, said that the Shenzhou series spacecraft had made many technical improvements since Shenzhou VIII and became a brand-new space shuttle. Among them, the rendezvous and docking function is its main feature, and astronauts can control the spacecraft according to TV images to keep it close to the target aircraft.
Service life limit
Zhang Jianqi, former deputy commander-in-chief of China's manned spaceflight project, revealed in an interview that Tiangong-1 weighs 8 tons, adopts brand-new design and many new technologies, and has a service life of two years. He further introduced that China's manned spaceflight project is divided into three steps: first, astronauts go to heaven; Second, many people fly for many days, astronauts leave the cabin, realize the rendezvous and docking of the spacecraft and the space capsule, and launch a short-term manned space laboratory; The third is to establish a permanent space station. This launch is to complete the follow-up task of the second step and lay the foundation for completing the strategic goal of the third step. Tiangong-1 is the prototype of the first space laboratory in China.
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experimental duties
Space life science experiments can not only be used for plant breeding and inventing new drugs, but also be used for semiconductors, special materials, astronomy and earth observation.
The benefits of measurement and so on are countless. Therefore, the construction of the space station from Shenzhou VII will bring a bigger stage for scientific research. [30]