Technical improvements of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft

Compared with the previous Shenzhou spacecraft, the Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10, which are known as "improved" spacecraft, have mainly changed in that they are equipped with rendezvous and docking related equipment, and the spacecraft's orbital module has been increased. The front hatch has been replaced, the computer for data management and control is more powerful, the solar panels have higher power generation efficiency, and the recovery cabin has been redesigned for reliability and safety. In addition, the environmental design inside the spacecraft is more user-friendly and better. The Shenzhou-9 spacecraft launch and recovery mission uses a new generation of numerical weather prediction system independently developed by China. The new generation numerical weather prediction system is China's most technologically advanced numerical weather prediction system with the highest resolution and longest forecast timeliness. It has the function of using global meteorological observation data and issuing global medium-term weather forecasts. The forecast timeliness has been advanced from the original 5 days. By 8 days, the refinement and accuracy of the guarantee have also improved significantly.

The new generation numerical weather prediction system passed the certification in December 2011. Wang Yegui, leader of the meteorological support expert team for the Shenzhou-9 mission and chief engineer of the General Staff Meteorology, Hydrology and Space Weather Station, believes that the new system will play an important role in key nodes such as rocket fuel refueling, spacecraft launch and return, and manned rendezvous and docking. The computers for data management and control are more powerful, the solar panels have higher power generation efficiency, and the return capsule has been redesigned for reliability and safety to further ensure the safety of astronauts returning. In addition, the environmental design inside the spacecraft is also more user-friendly and pleasant. The orbital module and return module leave more space for astronauts to move, and the internal layout, decoration, signs, and power-assisted devices that are easy for astronauts to use are neater and more standardized.