Unlike the "Shenzhou 5" and "Shenzhou 6", the key points in the development of the "Shenzhou" 7 rocket are the spacesuit and valve brake. Because "Shenzhou" 7 will perform a space walk, the air valve and spacesuit will play an important role in whether the astronauts can suddenly adapt to the vacuum environment from the cabin air pressure.
The spacewalk during "Shenzhou 7" has higher requirements for astronauts' assessment. Since the pressure inside the space suit is lower than normal, it is possible that nitrogen in human tissues will be released, which will increase in the blood vessels. Air embolism is formed, causing decompression sickness and even endangering human life. Therefore, after putting on the spacesuit, the astronauts must fully absorb oxygen in the airlock cabin and assist the working astronauts in returning to the inner cabin (i.e., the orbital cabin). After closing the inner cabin door, the airlock begins to depressurize to a vacuum, which is consistent with the vacuum state outside the spacecraft. At this time, the astronauts can leave the cabin and return to the cabin after completing the extravehicular mission. Decompress to a certain extent and then inflate the airlock.
“Astronauts’ extravehicular activities are a difficult and high-risk activity. According to experts, the spacewalk during the "Shenzhou 7" requires astronauts to conduct sufficient tests and training on the ground. The ground training is usually conducted in a neutral pool with certain specific gravity requirements. This kind of pool is usually built in In a large test room, the spacecraft is placed in a pool to use the buoyancy of water to simulate the weightlessness phenomenon in space, and then the astronauts conduct entry and exit and extravehicular operation training in the pool.
Experts said, " "Shenzhou 7" will have several necessary conditions for astronauts to spacewalk. First of all, it will provide the environment and conditions for astronauts to live and work outside the vehicle. The most important of these is the extravehicular space suit, which has anti-micrometeor, It has multiple functions such as vacuum heat insulation shielding, air sealing, pressure maintaining, ventilation, and temperature regulation. The gloves of the space suit are both sealed and flexible, and the helmet is transparent and sealed. Secondly, the out-of-vehicle backpack has a control system and communication system, and the control system is equipped with it. The jet device allows astronauts to control the walking direction. It is reported that the space suit and backpack are complex in structure, technically difficult and expensive. A set of space suits produced in the United States costs about 1.5 million US dollars. The third, of course, is the need for technical operation. Skilled, physically healthy, and mentally stable astronauts
In order to adapt to the vacuum environment, the "Shenzhou" 7 spacecraft has to be equipped with airtightness, communication, excretion, communication, power supply, movable joints and other aspects. It is much improved than the "Shenzhou 6".
At the time of the "Shenzhou 5", my country's manned spaceflight was only an assessment of one person going into space in one day. At that time, Yang Liwei only stayed in the return capsule and orbited. The cabin door is closed. Although the "Shenzhou 6" is almost the same in appearance as the "Shenzhou 5", the difference is that the two astronauts will enter the orbital module from the return capsule to engage in multi-person missions. The experts used a vivid metaphor: "Two astronauts are operating in a 'one room and one hall'." "When it comes to "Shenzhou 7", in addition to activities in the "one room and one hall", the astronauts will also go out of the "hall" and come out of the window on the side of the orbital module to walk in space. "Shenzhou 7" has a great impact on the lives of the astronauts. The support system, evacuation equipment, and structural air tightness requirements are higher, so the appearance of "Shenzhou 7" will be significantly different from that of "Shenzhou 6", and related systems will also be changed, especially the orbital module. < /p>
Usually after the spacecraft is launched into space, astronauts will first conduct 2-3 hours of adaptive preparation in the airlock before conducting extravehicular activities, and put on extravehicular space suits in the airlock. , put on your backpack and bring your supplies. The spacesuit worn by astronauts performing spacewalks is bulky and weighs 125 kilograms on the ground. It is not as easy as putting on clothes and hats on the ground. They must be helped by other astronauts. Put it on. "So there will be at least two astronauts in the sky during the 'Shenzhou 7', so that they can cooperate with each other. As for how many people will go out of the spacecraft, it is not determined. It is estimated that one person will conduct a space walk. ”
There will be three astronauts on Shenzhou 7. One will go out of the cabin to walk, one will greet him in the orbital module, and there will be one person left in the return module. The out-of-vehicle activities will include installation equipment such as walking, operating, and tightening screws. and other projects to prepare for the establishment of a space station in the future.
China will implement the "Shenzhou 7" manned space mission in the second half of this year. Currently, various preparations are proceeding as planned.
It is reported that the "Shenzhou VII" flight will achieve a number of major technological breakthroughs. First, the number of astronauts will increase to three; second, it will realize the first space walk by Chinese astronauts; third, it will choose the opportunity after the spacecraft enters the predetermined orbit. Release a small accompanying satellite (herein referred to as "companion satellite"), and so on.
What can a "companion star" do? According to Hong Kong's "Ta Kung Pao" report, the mission of this "companion star" is to use a CCD stereo camera to take close-up photos of the "Shenzhou VII" flying in orbit. At that time, we will obtain the first three-dimensional exterior photo of a Chinese spacecraft flying in orbit. This photo uses space as the background to show the unique scenery of the high-speed operation of the "Shenzhou VII" and will become a permanent historical witness of the Chinese nation's space flight.
Did "Shenzhou VII" just bring a mechanical "photographer" into space? Haha, of course not!
Prior to this, China has successfully launched several small satellites. The technology of small satellites has reached maturity. The significance of "Shenzhou VII" carrying "companion stars" into space is even more significant.
First of all, there are changes in the means of small satellite delivery. In the past, China's small satellites were launched into orbit by launch vehicles; this time, the small satellites were placed at the front of the "Shenzhou 7" orbital module. When the spacecraft entered the predetermined orbit, it could automatically eject the spacecraft according to instructions, or The astronauts can manually "select the opportunity" to release, and the delivery method is more flexible. The "select the opportunity" release means that it can be released whenever they want according to needs.
Secondly, the "companion star" can be used as a reconnaissance satellite. Hong Kong media revealed that the "companion star" carried by "Shenzhou VII" is equipped with a CCD stereo camera similar to that of "Chang'e 1", which can capture high-definition surface images. The "companion star" will be released into orbit by the "Shenzhou 7" at the opportunity to take photos and reconnaissance of the surface of interest.
Third, the "companion star" can become a very terrifying space weapon. It can be released by the spacecraft at the right time to carry out the mission of attacking enemy space targets; it is also the most powerful and loyal "bodyguard" of our spaceship - when the enemy launches an attack on our spacecraft, our spacecraft can release the "companion star" in a timely manner , use the weapons you carry to destroy enemy attacking weapons or die with them.