What are the fragments that fell during the launch of Shenzhou 5?

Classification: Social/Cultural >> Military

Analysis:

The spectacular launch of Shenzhou VI spacecraft attracted many people's attention. However, if we pay a little attention, it may not be difficult for people to find out from TV pictures or photographic images that the rocket keeps dropping some debris when it lifts the spacecraft off the launch tower. So, why did the spacecraft fall into pieces when it was launched?

According to space launch experts, after entering 10, most parts of northern China began to be frequently affected by cold air, and the temperature dropped significantly. Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, located deep in the Gobi Desert in the northwest of China, the temperature difference between morning and evening increased, and the temperature at night reached below zero. The theoretical test of the "Long March II F" carrier rocket has a launch temperature of minus 20 degrees Celsius. However, low temperature may cause some products to have low temperature effects, such as seal failure, poor contact of cable plugs, and blockage of transmission pipelines. It may become a deadly "killer" when it is launched.

In order to minimize the adverse effects of low temperature on rocket launch, some thermal insulation measures are often taken during rocket test launch, such as blowing hot air, wearing cold clothes, light bulb irradiation, sticking foam plastics, etc. Among them, sticking foam plastic on rocket body is the most commonly used and simplest method. This measure was taken when the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft was launched, which proved to be economical and effective. After the rocket is ignited and lifted off, the intense friction of the atmosphere will peel off these foam plastics from the rocket body and become fragments that people see falling from the rocket body.