What's shenzhou spaceship doing in space?

1. Launch the shenzhou spaceship to provide round-trip transportation services for personnel and materials for the on-orbit operation of Tiangong-1 target aircraft;

2. Assess the ability of the assembly to support the life, work and health of astronauts and the ability of astronauts to perform missions;

3. Conduct space teaching activities for Chinese astronauts;

4. Check the function, performance and coordination between systems of the project when performing flight tasks.

Extended information

Compared with the foreign third-generation spacecraft, Shenzhou spacecraft has the characteristics of high starting point and the ability to stay in orbit. Shenzhou series manned spacecraft was launched by the Long March II F rocket specially developed for it. The launch base was Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, and the recovery site was Siziwangqi space landing site in central Inner Mongolia. As of April 24th, 219, shenzhou spaceship and Tianzhou Spacecraft are in the process of batch production of prototype products.

The spacecraft structure is divided into four parts: orbital module, return module, propulsion module and additional section. The orbital module of Shenzhou spacecraft is a cylinder with a total length of 2.8m and a maximum diameter of 2.27m. One end is connected with the return module and the other end is connected with the space docking mechanism. The orbital module is called "multi-function hall" because several astronauts are in the orbital module all the time except the return module when they take off and return. The orbital module integrates many functions such as working, eating, sleeping and cleaning.

In order to make the orbital module get power when flying alone, solar panels are installed on both sides of the orbital module, and the area of each solar panel except the triangle is 2.× 3.4m. When the orbital module flies freely, it can provide power of more than .5kW..

There are four groups of small propulsion engines at the tail of the orbital module, with four in each group, which provide the spacecraft with auxiliary thrust and the ability to keep the orbital motion after the orbital module is separated; There is a circular hatch on one side of the orbital module near the return module, which provides a passage for astronauts to enter and leave the orbital module. However, the maximum diameter of the hatch is only 65 cm, and only people with dexterity and special training can enter and leave freely. There is an observation window of the orbital module above the hatch.

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