A complete solution to the extravehicular process of Shenzhou VII astronauts.

Xinhuanet Beijing, September 26th (Reporter Sun, Xu Zhuangzhi) "Most of the challenges and features in the development of Shenzhou VII spacecraft come from the development of airlock." Zhang Bainan, chief designer of the spacecraft system, said in an interview.

What is an airlock?

Shenzhou VII spacecraft, like the past, is also a three-room structure of propulsion module, return module and orbital module. In order to complete the astronauts' extravehicular activities, the orbital module was improved, which not only retained the astronauts' living module function, but also served as the airlock module needed for extravehicular activities.

The function of the airlock is similar to that of the lock of the Three Gorges Dam, but the difference is that the lock is used to adjust the water level and the airlock is used to adjust the air pressure.

Before the astronauts leave the cabin, the airlock can release air quickly, so that the pressure in the cabin is close to zero in vacuum; After the astronauts return, the airlock can quickly restore the pressure to the standard atmospheric pressure. The airlock cabin must also be equipped with other equipment and facilities to support astronauts' extravehicular activities.

Shenqi airlock is a brand-new design.

Although it was modified on the basis of the Shenzhou VI orbital module, it "took the lead and moved the whole body". The orbital module (airlock module) of Shenzhou VII is actually a brand-new spacecraft.

From the appearance, a pair of solar panels are removed, and a plurality of spherical gas cylinders are installed at the top, and the small satellites are tied together.

From the internal structure, it is equipped with recompression gas cylinders, two sets of extravehicular spacesuits, decompression control equipment and extravehicular support console, as well as living facilities such as sleeping bags, food heating, personal daily necessities and personal hygiene devices.

Therefore, the airlock is designed completely, including circuit layout, thermal protection measures, initiating device design, software and hardware system interface and so on. It must be tested in extreme environments such as structural strength, vibration and thermal vacuum.

From the spacesuit bracket to the hatch, every part is learned.

The extravehicular spacesuit weighing120kg is extremely accurate. In order to ensure that the spacesuit will not be damaged by acceleration and vibration during the launch of the spacecraft, the spacesuit bracket is specially developed in the airlock room.

In order to solve the vibration response problem, multi-point fixation is adopted between the bracket and the space suit; In order to give astronauts more space to move, the support can be folded and unfolded as needed; Considering the difficulty of exerting force under weightlessness, auxiliary equipment is added to the bracket interface, which is convenient for astronauts to flip the bracket easily. ...

Although the hatch weighs only 20 kilograms, it has more than 170 parts, and a single door shaft has been repeatedly developed three times. The design of the door shaft is convenient for astronauts to open the door and stop at any position.

There are 9 oxygen cylinders in the airlock cabin, including 3 spacesuits and 3 airborne gas cylinders. Under normal circumstances, so many oxygen cylinders are not needed, and the number is a little more to deal with abnormalities.

The companion star at the top of the extravehicular space is close to five compressible gas cylinders. In order to prevent the debris generated when releasing the small satellite from hitting the gas cylinder like a bullet, the researchers also put on bulletproof vests for the gas cylinder.

In addition, the wired and extravehicular wireless communication systems in the airlock, the display interface of extravehicular activities, lighting, camera devices and other equipment are full of the wisdom of designers.