Shenzhou XI, referred to as "Shenzhou XI" for short, is the eleventh spaceship launched by China's manned space program, the sixth manned flight mission of China, and an important milestone in creating a new record of China's manned space flight time in orbit.
Shenzhou XI was launched on October 17, 2016, and entered the scheduled orbit;[1]Realize automatic rendezvous and docking with Tiangong 2 on October 19, 2016, forming a combination;[1]The return procedure was started on November 18, 2016, and the return capsule landed at the main landing site to complete the manned mission.[1]
Shenzhou 11 has realized the three-step process of China's manned space project from the second step to the third step, laying a solid foundation for the construction and operation of China's space station and the long-term stay of astronauts.[2]
In March 2016, Shenzhou 11 completed parachute inspection and packaging of parachute subsystem products of the recovery landing subsystem.[1]
In June 2016, the Shenzhou 11 flight crew completed the selection, and the manned spacecraft passed the factory review.[1]
On August 3, 2016Long March 2The F Yao 11 rocket is transported from Beijing by railway.[3]
On August 6, 2016, Long March 2F T2 rocket and Long March 2F Yao 11 rocket that launched Shenzhou 11 arrived at the launch site.[4]
On August 13, 2016, Shenzhou 11 was airlifted from Beijing to China Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to carry out the final assembly and testing of the launch site.[5]
On October 16, 2016, the flight crew carrying out the Shenzhou 11 manned flight mission announced.[6]
On October 17, 2016, Shenzhou 11 was launched into orbit.[1]
Two astronauts from Shenzhou 11
On October 19, 2016, Shenzhou 11 andTiangong No.2Realize automatic rendezvous and docking to form a combination.[1]
On November 17, 2016, Shenzhou 11 and Tiangong 2 were separated, and the rapid orbit change control verification test was carried out.[1]
On November 18, 2016, Shenzhou 11 entered the return procedure, and the return capsule landed at the main landing site, completing the manned mission.[1]
On November 23, 2016, the opening ceremony of the Shenzhou 11 re-entry module was held in Beijing to hand over the carried goods.[7]
flying commission
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Task plan
1. After the Shenzhou 11 spacecraft entered orbit, it completed the automatic rendezvous and docking with Tiangong 2 within two days to form a combination. The astronauts stationed in Tiangong 2, and the combination flew in orbit for 30 days.
2. The two astronauts will work and live in accordance with the flight manual, operation guide and ground instructions, and carry out relevant scientific experiments as planned.
3. After completing the combined flight, Shenzhou 11 evacuated from Tiangong 2 and returned to the landing site of Siziwang Banner in Inner Mongolia within one day. Tiangong 2 turned to independent operation mode.[1]
Mission purpose
1. The Tiangong-2 space laboratory and Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft were launched to further assess the function and performance of the manned space shuttle transportation system, focusing on the rendezvous and docking of the operating orbit of the space station and the return of the manned spacecraft.
2. Complete the medium-term stay of astronauts, and assess the ability of the combination to ensure the life, work and health of astronauts, as well as the ability of astronauts to carry out flight missions.
3. Carry out space medicine, space science experiments and applied technology experiments, on orbit maintenance experiments, space station technology experiments, and science popularization activities.[6]
4. Further carry out a comprehensive verification of the functions of the improved manned spacecraft to provide important technical support for subsequent manned missions.[8]
Task characteristics
The main difficulties and characteristics of the Shenzhou 11 mission are:
High distance
In the past, when Shenzhou-10 docked with Tiangong-1, the orbital height was 343 kilometers, while when Shenzhou-10 docked with Tiangong-2, the orbital height was 393 dry meters, 50 kilometers higher, which is basically the same as the orbital height of the future space station, and the flight is also closer to the requirements of the future space station;At the same time, the control of the spacecraft during rendezvous and docking is different from that of Shenzhou 10, and Shenzhou 11 still needs continuous orbit change.[1]
More experiments
During the mission, Shenzhou 10-1 will carry out four on orbit test projects, including wide beam relay on orbit verification test, orbit change control verification test, solar tracking function verification test at any offset angle of the sail and microbial control test.Through these tests, the design function of the spacecraft is further verified, and the flight test data related to the intercepting environment is obtained and accumulated.
Through these tests, the design function of the spacecraft is further verified, and the flight test data related to the manned environment is obtained and accumulated.[1]
Long time
In this mission, astronauts need to complete the 30 day mid stay mission of the combination, double the 15 day stay of Shenzhou 10;In these 30 days, to ensure the life and health of astronauts, as well as the ability of astronauts to carry out flight missions, the support ability of spacecraft in terms of stay, emergency and return needs to be stronger than in the past.[1]
Shenzhou 11
technical conditions
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Docking target
Tiangong-2 is improved and developed on the basis of Tiangong-1 backup target aircraft. It adopts two cabin configurations of experiment cabin and resource cabin. In order to meet the need of propellant supplement verification test, the propulsion subsystem has been adapted;In order to meet the needs of medium term stay, the livable environment for manned has been significantly improved, and it has the ability to support two astronauts to work and live in orbit for 30 days, with a design life of 2 years in orbit.[6]
Airship composition
The technical status of Shenzhou 11 is basically the same as that of Shenzhou 10 spaceship. According to the task and product development needs, some technical status has been changed. It stops at Tiangong 2 to perform a 30 day combined flight mission, and has the ability to fly independently for 5 days.
The technical status of Long March II F T2 is basically the same as that of the previous T1 rocket, Y11 rocket and the previous Y10 rocket. In order to further improve safety and reliability, some technical status changes have been made;[6]The Long March 2F carrier rocket is a bundled two-stage liquid carrier rocket with a core stage diameter of 3.35 meters and four boosters bundled. The diameter of the boosters is 2.25 meters.[3]
TT&C communication
The main technical status of Jiuquan launch site system and TT&C communication system remains basically unchanged, which is basically the same as that of Shenzhou 10.[6]
Landing site
The main landing site of Siziwang Banner in Inner Mongolia is responsible for the search, rescue and recovery of the return capsule of Shenzhou XI spacecraft.[6]
Flight carriage
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Flight crew
On October 16, 2016, the flight crew carrying out the Shenzhou 11 manned flight mission announced that there were 2 people in total, respectively:
picture
Jing Haipeng
Chen Dong
full name
Jing Haipeng
Chen Dong
Gender
male
male
to serve as
Command length
Helper
reference material:[9]
Carrying goods
The items handed over by Shenzhou 11 include items that have been flown for 33 days by Shenzhou 11 spacecraft, and items that have been brought back by Shenzhou 11 astronauts after 66 days of flying with Tiangong 2 Space Laboratory, including:
1. Medical experimental biological samples from the scientific research team of the PLA General Hospital;
2. Space experiments and experimental devices designed by middle school students in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
3. Characteristic crops and medicinal seeds (seedlings) carried by Yunnan, Ningxia, Shaanxi and Tianshili Group;
4. The commemorative Hada and Weifang kites carried by Tibet and Shandong.[10-11]
technical support
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Technical breakthrough
1. In order to meet the requirements of this mission, the orbit control strategy and flight procedures have been adjusted so that the Shenzhou 11 spacecraft can adapt to the requirements of the rendezvous and docking orbit and return orbit height of this mission from 343 km to 393 km.
2. In order to further improve the safety and reliability, a new wide beam relay communication terminal is equipped, which significantly expands the coverage of measurement and control, improves the space and sky communication support capability when the attitude of the spacecraft changes rapidly, thus improving the safety of astronauts and the reliability of the spacecraft.
3. In order to verify the future aerospace technology and meet the requirements for the long-life use of the future space station rendezvous measurement equipment, the rendezvous measurement equipment of Shenzhou XI was upgraded.
4. The lighting equipment in the Shenzhou 11 capsule (near distance floodlighting) and the rendezvous and docking lighting equipment (long distance projection lighting) use LED light sources, that is, solid-state lighting sources.
5. The thermal control subsystem and the environmental control and life support system are used for temperature control. The heat generated on the ship is transferred to the external radiator through fluid flow, and then the heat is radiated into space through the radiator, so as to ensure the safe life and normal work of astronauts in the special environment of space flight, and create a warm living environment for astronauts.
6. The hatch quick leak detector is equipped to realize quick and accurate leak detection of the hatch and the mating surface, and maintain the gas for normal life in the cabin.
7. Install the instrument panel shock absorber, and a large amount of energy is consumed by the continuous friction between metal wires during the vibration process, which eventually turns into heat energy and disappears in the surrounding medium.
8. A suit of coat with a thickness of about 2cm is designed for the orbital module to effectively isolate the heat exchange between the space environment and the orbital module bulkhead. There is also a gorgeous composite film on the coat surface to improve the protection ability of the spacecraft against orbital atomic oxygen and other particles;A specially designed organic thermal control coating is sprayed on the external surface of the return capsule to provide strong support for ensuring the temperature conditions of the return capsule during the on orbit period.
9. The escape rescue system of "escape engine" has been developed, providing safety guarantee for astronauts to patrol the sky with confidence.
10. Developed a set of spacecraft recovery and landing system with the highest recovery quality, the lowest landing speed, the highest reliability and safety, and the most complex system in China at that time.[12]
Space support
The two astronauts carrying out the Shenzhou 11 mission will work in orbit for 33 days. In order to ensure their healthy life and efficient work, the main measures are as follows:
1. Medical health insurance.During the flight, medical inquiry, basic physiological index examination, routine urine test, cardiopulmonary function examination and other means were comprehensively used to evaluate the health status of astronauts on a regular basis;Pay attention to the control of microorganisms in the cabin, and provide some drugs for prevention and treatment and related medical devices to ensure the health of astronauts;At the same time, the space and sky telemedicine support system was established for the first time to solve the problem of astronauts' on orbit "seeing doctors" through the space and sky collaborative consultation.
2. Protection against physiological effects of weightlessness.Shenzhou 11 is equipped with some protective equipment and exercise equipment to minimize the adverse effects of weightlessness on astronauts. For example, astronauts can use bags to solve the dizziness, nasal congestion and other maladaptive reactions at the beginning of flight. Through the exercise of using a bicycle with a puller, they wear penguin clothes when working, which will reduce the heart and lung functions,Comprehensive protection against muscle atrophy and bone loss.
3. Nutrition and health guarantee.It has further enriched aerospace food, with nearly 100 types, a five day cookbook cycle, and a more scientific dietary structure. At the same time, some personalized needs are considered to enhance the sensory acceptability of food.
4. Psychological support.For the characteristics of the long duration of this flight mission, the psychological support was strengthened. On the basis of the support of professional psychologists, family exchanges and the support of the astronaut team, the technical support means were further improved, such as the development of a psychological relief system based on virtual reality technology, and the upgrading of the heaven and earth information exchange system,It is convenient for the astronauts to communicate with the ground in a two-way way. It can deliver emails, and communicate with friends and relatives in video and audio, so as to relieve the pressure of astronauts and ensure their mental health.[13]
Experimental activities
During the flight mission, Shenzhou XI carried out more than 40 practical (trial) projects in space science and application technology, aerospace medicine, on orbit maintenance technology and other aspects, as well as science popularization experiments and demonstration activities, released accompanying satellites and carried out accompanying flight photography and close range overflight observation of the assembly.[1]
Honor recognition
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Winner
Awards won
Tiangong 2 and Shenzhou 11 manned space mission development team
2016 "Influential China" Scientific and Technological Figures
reference material:[14]
Cultural characteristics
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Commemorative stamp
On November 18, 2016, after the return of Shenzhou 11, the China Post Space Post, in the form of space letters, signed by the astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong of Shenzhou 11, publicly issued the "Astronaut Stamp Collection", with a total of 8 commemorative stamps and 4 postmarked commemorative covers.[15]
Task significance
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The complete success of the Shenzhou 11 mission marks the decisive and important achievement of the flight mission of the Chinese Space Laboratory, which has laid a solid foundation for the construction and operation of China's space station and the long-term stay of astronauts.Specifically, for the space station construction and operation mission, we have verified the life support technology and human-computer coordinated on orbit maintenance technology for the astronauts' medium-term stay, examined the key technologies related to rendezvous and docking, assembly operation, manned spacecraft return and other related technologies in the space station operating orbit, as well as the technologies related to long-term mission support on the ground,It has accumulated relevant experience in long-term mission management and organizing and implementing large-scale space application tests.[6](China Online Review)
After the launch of Shenzhou 11, it docks with Tiangong 2. Two astronauts will complete a series of in orbit scientific experiments in Tiangong 2, laying a solid foundation for China to build a space station in the future.[1](Review of Daily Love for Science)
