How to understand the complete manned space system of the former Soviet Union?

In the whole space science and technology field, from a macro perspective, experts believe that some space technologies of the former Soviet Union are not the most advanced in the world. However, its huge space system is the most complete in the world today, which embodies the high-tech goal with its overall advantages and lays the foundation for modern space science. If the ground astronaut training center and TT&C center are excluded, this space system includes: Mir space station test base, manned spacecraft Soyuz, cargo spacecraft Progress, carrier rocket Soyuz and carrier rocket Proton. Relying on these devices, we can start the complex system between heaven and earth, carry out extensive space science research and explore the mysteries of space.

Comprehensive test base of "Heping" space station

The space station "Peace" was launched into orbit on February 20th, 1986, with a mass of 20 tons and a length of 13? 5 meters, maximum diameter 4? 15m, with an effective volume of 90m3. 2 solar panels with a total area of 102m2 and 6 docking hatches. There are some types of special cabins and spacecraft that can be docked with it: large docking cabin with a mass of 20 tons and a diameter of 4? 15m, with a volume of 50 cubic meters. Among them, the large docking module that does not return is 6? 5 meters; The return large docking module is about 13m long, with two solar panels, with an area of 40m2 and an output power of 3kW. Small docking cabin with a mass of 7 tons, a length of 7 meters and a maximum diameter of 2? 7 meters, the effective volume is 10 cubic meter. In addition, the docked spacecraft are "Alliance TM" passenger ferry and "Progress" cargo ferry.

The complex test base with the center module of the space station "Peace" as the core has completed the first phase of space docking and assembly, with five modules, including three scientific modules, a Soyuz FM spacecraft and a main module.

The science modules of the cargo ship Progress are Quantum 1, Quantum 2 and Crystal Module. The Quantum Astrophysics Laboratory docked with Mir on April 1987+0 1. The last launch of Crystal Capsule was in June, 1990, with a total length of 13? 73 meters, maximum diameter 4? 15m, with five smelting furnaces, one of which is small and easy to move. All the stoves can work automatically, and all kinds of experiments can be carried out at the same time. Each furnace is equipped with a computer to control the crystal culture process. Smelting furnaces can provide good conditions for a large number of experiments, and the highest temperature in these furnaces can reach 2000℃, so the prospect of crystal chamber is very considerable. It is reported that in the first seven months after the crystal capsule was assembled to the space station, space semiconductor materials worth $654.38+0 billion have been produced. So far, the earth remote sensing module and the earth environment monitoring module have not been launched and assembled. However, the five-module "Peace" space station consortium is capable of conducting astrophysical research and producing a small amount of protein and crystals.

During the service period, the space station assembly can not only change the number of modules, but also change the overall configuration. The special module cabin can also carry out maneuvering flight and perform tasks alone. At present, the docking port occupied by the cargo ship "Progress" will be used to dock with a large docking module that does not return, while the cargo ship "Progress" will dock with another docking port that does not return to the large docking module.

Scientific instruments and equipment are placed in the central cabin, that is, the main cabin and other cabins, and special positions are set up. Instruments and equipment can be installed in the cabin or outside the space station. In some cases, the size of the equipment is mainly limited by the transport spacecraft and location.

Shutter darkroom on the space station enables astronauts to take care of instruments working in the open space without leaving the space station. Instruments and equipment outside the comprehensive facilities are fixed by mechanical fixers. The working process data and experimental results of the instrument are recorded by the automatic recorder, which is a part of the instrument, and the data information can be directly transmitted to the ground tracking station by the telemetry equipment on the station.

The return of equipment with scientific research results will use manned spacecraft. Generally, it takes no more than two days and two nights from the recovery of instruments and packaging to the landing of spacecraft. The size of equipment returning to the ground shall not exceed 450× 240× 160mm.

The air of the "Peace" space station is similar to the atmosphere on the earth; The temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius all the year round, and the seasons are like spring. If you don't go out into the open space, astronauts can live and work without wearing spacesuits. Because the space station is far away from the ground to observe the sky and measure the earth, its crew may encounter various dangers at any time, so a Soyuz TM spacecraft has been parked on the space station to participate in the work of the complex, and in fact it is ready to perform rescue tasks at any time.

Soyuz TM spacecraft

Soyuz is by far the most widely used spacecraft, and it has entered its fourth decade. Karolev, the chief designer of Soyuz, designed several types for it: one is a three-cabin type running in earth orbit; One is a bundled 2-cabin detector, which is used to verify the lunar flight technology; There is also a moon landing type. Soyuz spacecraft used in earth orbit has developed into three generations: the first generation is Soyuz, the second generation is Soyuz T, and the third generation is Soyuz TM. Soyuz was originally used to carry out a three-person single-person mission in low earth orbit, with a flight time of two and a half weeks. "Soyuz 10" and "Soyuz 1 1" were used as ferries in the salute of the space station. After the landing accident of Soyuz 1 1, the former Soviet Union redesigned Soyuz, making it a passenger ferry with two-person cockpit space station that can only fly independently for two and a half days, namely Soyuz T. Since April 1967, the former Soviet Union has launched 40 first-generation Soyuz spacecraft and 15 second-generation ships. The difference between the third generation Soyuz TM spacecraft and Soyuz T spacecraft is that it is equipped with a new generation of rendezvous and docking radar, computer, radio communication, emergency rescue, combined engine device and parachute, and is made of light materials, which can carry an additional load of 200 kilograms. 1986 on may 2 1 day, the third generation alliance TM was launched for the first time and successfully docked with the mir space station on the 23rd. So far, the Soyuz TM spacecraft, which is specially used for passenger transport between the ground and the space station, has been launched more than ten times and has been successful.

Soyuz spacecraft "Soyuz" is a passenger spacecraft that shuttles between the ground and the space station. It consists of an approximately spherical orbital module, a bell-shaped return module and a cylindrical equipment module. Before returning to the earth's atmosphere, it abandoned the orbital module and the equipment module, and only the return module returned to the earth. Astronauts have been sitting in the return capsule from the time the spacecraft took off to the time it entered orbit and returned. The internal volume of the return capsule is 4 cubic meters. The original three seats can accommodate three astronauts, but later it was changed into two seats to accommodate two astronauts. There are instruments, navigation instruments and control switches of each system in the cabin to display the working status of each system and equipment. It has a heat shield at the bottom, and there are four solid propellants in it to buffer the landing rockets. After the spacecraft is in orbit, astronauts can enter the orbital module to work or rest. Orbital module volume 4? 9 cubic meters, including rendezvous and docking system, TV cameras, extravehicular activity equipment, astronaut supplies, and some communications. The equipment cabin is divided into front cabin and rear cabin. The front cabin is an instrument cabin with telemetry system, main communication equipment and various sensors. The rear compartment is the engine compartment. The antenna system is installed outside the equipment cabin.

Soyuz TM is protected by a heat cover on its outer surface except the radiator of 8 square meters. Most of the life support system is packaged in the orbital module, a small part is in the return module, and the independent part is placed under the recliner. Oxygen cylinders are used in an emergency. Waste management and diet are carried out in the orbital module. The return capsule has enough food and water for crash landing for 48 hours. Compared with cargo spacecraft, Soyuz manned spacecraft is expensive because its life support system, thermal protection, control and other related components account for a considerable part of the payload.

The cargo ship "Progress"

The "Progress" cargo spacecraft was modified from the "Alliance" manned spacecraft, and it was equipped with an automatic control system in addition to the necessary components of the manned spacecraft. The landing return capsule is replaced by propellant and oxidant containers; The original place for astronauts to work and rest has become the cargo hold of the "Progress" spacecraft. The cargo ship "Progress" weighed 7 tons when it was launched, with a payload of 2? 5 tons, about 36% of its own weight, the benefit is quite high.

The cargo ship Progress transports the fuel, compressed air, food, water, air regenerators, clothes and postal parcels they need, as well as replacement equipment, instruments and devices needed for experiments, as well as ordinary photography and film. Due to cosmic radiation, the film cannot be stored in the space station for a long time.

The "Progress" cargo ship also helps to carry away things that astronauts no longer need on the space station. Although the air lock box can discard waste and garbage, it will pollute the space and lose air. In addition, the airlock can't throw away any big items, so the astronauts use the cargo ship "Progress" to dispose of their garbage.

The cargo ship Progress docked with the space station and unloaded the cargo. After loading garbage, get off the dock, start the deceleration engine, and leave the earth orbit to fly to the earth. Because the cargo ship has no heat protection measures, it will be completely burned immediately after entering the dense atmosphere of the earth. If there is a little residue, it will usually splash into the ocean.

Soyuz carrier rocket

Soyuz carrier rocket is a three-stage rocket. The first stage consists of four rockets tied outside the lower part of the second stage. Therefore, Soyuz carrier rocket consists of six rocket engines in series and parallel. The launched spacecraft is fixed at the third stage of the rocket, with a fairing outside, and an emergency rescue rocket is fixed at the front end of the fairing. The combined length of launch vehicle and spacecraft is 48? 8m, maximum diameter at the bottom 10? 3 meters. The role of Soyuz carrier rocket in the space system is to launch Soyuz TM passenger spacecraft and Progress cargo spacecraft to the space station. The payload of the rocket can send a spacecraft weighing 6900 kilograms into an inclination of 50? Near-Earth elliptical orbit, apogee 450 km, perigee 200 km, 5 degrees. Engine fuel is a mixed propellant with high boiling point and low boiling point. Facts have proved that the design of Soyuz carrier rocket is highly successful, with excellent reliability and long-term vitality, and it has been produced and used for more than 40 years. Its quality can be compared with the products of DC-3 aircraft and the famous German Volkswagen Company, which have been produced continuously for 25 years. The number of launches of spacecraft by Soyuz carrier rocket is equivalent to the combined number of launches of Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle in the United States. On average, Soyuz carrier rocket launches spacecraft six times a year. Due to long-term use, launch vehicles have the advantages of large production batch, stable technology and low cost.

Proton launch vehicle

Proton launch vehicles come in two forms. One is a series-parallel three-stage engine rocket; The other is an improved four-stage rocket. Proton carrier rocket is a special cabin specially used for launching salute in space system, peace and peace space station.

Proton three-stage rocket, excluding load, total length 44? 3 meters, can send 2 1 ton payload to the dip angle of 5 1? 6 degrees, 200 kilometers high near-earth circular orbit. The four-stage proton rocket can transport 2200 kilograms of payload to any geostationary orbit position; Can send a load of 5700 kilograms to the moon; 5300 kg load to send Venus; 4,600 kilograms of load was sent to Mars. All rocket engine fuels are mixed propellants. In the space system of the former Soviet Union, all the elements are very harmonious, used properly, and show their abilities. Although the disposable launch system is a means of transportation between heaven and earth, its cost is lower than that of the reusable space shuttle because of its large production batch, stable technology and good reliability.

The long-term operation of this space system has brought great benefits to space science research. For example, astronauts in the former Soviet Union have completed more than 500 experiments on processing space materials and alloy forming, some of which have been produced in small batches in the form of space workshops. Space products are superior to earth products in performance, and usually have better purity and characteristics. All these successful projects, after turning to large-scale space factory production, can cause great changes in industry. At the same time, astronauts have worked in the space station for a long time, accumulated rich experience and constantly created records of long-term stay in space, which indicates great progress in space life science research.