Magical magic

Different from Shenzhou V and Shenzhou VI, Shenzhou VII rocket focuses on spacesuit and valve braking. Because "Shenzhou VII" will realize spacewalk, whether astronauts can adapt to the sudden vacuum environment from cabin pressure, valve braking and spacesuit plays an important role.

The spacewalk during Shenzhou VII requires higher assessment of astronauts. Because the pressure in the spacesuit is lower than normal, it may release nitrogen in human tissues and form air embolism in blood vessels, leading to decompression sickness and even endangering people's lives. Therefore, after the astronauts put on the spacesuit, they must fully absorb the oxygen in the airlock, assist the working astronauts to return to the inner cabin (i.e. the orbital module), close the inner door, and then the airlock begins to decompress to vacuum, which is consistent with the vacuum state outside the spacecraft. At this time, the astronauts can leave the cabin. When returning to the cabin after completing the mission of leaving the cabin, it is necessary to decompress the spacesuit to a certain extent, and then inflate the airlock.

"Astronaut extravehicular activity is a difficult and high-risk activity." According to experts, the spacewalk of Shenzhou VII requires astronauts to do full experiments and training on the ground, and the ground training is generally carried out in a neutral pool with certain requirements for specific gravity. This kind of pool is usually built in a large test room. There is a spaceship in the pool, which uses the buoyancy of water to simulate the weightlessness in space. Then the astronauts trained in the pool for entry and exit operations.

Experts say that "Shenzhou VII" will have several necessary conditions for astronauts to walk in space. First of all, it will provide the environment and conditions for astronauts to live and work outside the cabin, the most important of which is the extravehicular spacesuit, which has many functions such as meteor prevention, vacuum heat insulation and shielding, air tightness, pressure maintenance, ventilation and temperature regulation. The gloves of the spacesuit are both sealed and elastic, and the helmet is transparent and sealed. Secondly, the extravehicular backpack has a control system and a communication system, and the control system is equipped with a jet device, so that the astronauts can control the walking direction. It is reported that space suits and backpacks are complex in structure, technically difficult and expensive. A set of spacesuits produced in the United States is about $65,438 +0.5 million. Third, of course, there must be astronauts with skilled technical operation, good health and stable psychological quality.

In order to adapt to the vacuum environment, "Shenzhou VII" spacesuit is much better than "Shenzhou VI" in air tightness, communication, excretion, communication, power supply and movable joints.

At the time of "Shenzhou 5", China's manned space flight was only an assessment of a person going into space one day. At that time, Yang Liwei only stayed in the return module, and the door of the orbital module was closed. Although "Shenzhou VI" is almost the same as "Shenzhou V" in appearance, the difference is that two astronauts will enter the orbital module from the return module and engage in multi-person and multi-day space flight procedures. Experts made an image metaphor, "Two astronauts are active in' one room, one living room'. Speaking of Shenzhou VII, astronauts will not only move in the "one room and one living room", but also walk out of the "living room" and walk in space through the window on the side of the orbital module. Shenzhou VII has higher requirements for astronauts' life support system, extravehicular equipment and structural air tightness, so Shenzhou VII will be obviously different from Shenzhou VI in appearance and related systems will be different.

Usually, after the spacecraft is launched into space, astronauts will make adaptive preparations in the airlock room for 2-3 hours before leaving the cabin. They will wear extravehicular spacesuits, carry backpacks and carry supplies in the airlock. The spacesuit worn by astronauts who walk in space is huge, and the weight on the ground reaches 125 kg, which is not as easy as wearing a hat on the ground. It can only be put on with the help of other astronauts. "So, there will be at least two astronauts on Shenzhou VII, so that we can cooperate with each other. As for how many people will leave the cabin, it is uncertain. It is estimated that a person walks in space. "

Shenzhou VII will have three astronauts, one will walk out of the cabin, one will meet in the orbital module, and there will be people in the return module. Extravehicular activities will include walking, operating, screwing and other installation equipment to prepare for the establishment of a space station in the future.

China will carry out the Shenzhou VII manned space mission in the second half of this year. At present, all preparations are proceeding as planned. It is reported that the "Shenzhou VII" flight will achieve a number of major technological breakthroughs. First of all, the number of astronauts will increase to three; Second, it will realize the first spacewalk of Chinese astronauts; Third, after the spacecraft enters the predetermined orbit, it releases a small satellite (referred to as "companion satellite" in this paper) at the right time, and so on.

What can "companion star" do? According to Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao, the mission of this "companion star" is to take close-up photos of Shenzhou VII flying in orbit with a CCD stereo camera. At that time, we will get the first three-dimensional external photograph of China spacecraft in orbit. This photo, set in space, shows the unique scenery of "Shenzhou VII" running at high speed, and will become a permanent historical witness of the Chinese nation's flying.

Did Shenzhou VII just send a robot "photographer" into space? Ha ha, of course not!

Prior to this, China has successfully launched several small satellites, and the technology of small satellites has reached maturity. Shenzhou VII took its companions into space, which is of even greater significance.

First of all, it is the change in the means of launching small satellites. In the past, China's small satellites were all launched into orbit by launch vehicles; This time, the small satellite was placed at the front end of the Shenzhou VII orbital module. When the spacecraft enters the predetermined orbit, it can be ejected automatically according to the instruction or released manually by the astronauts. The release method is more flexible. Choosing an opportunity means that you can release it when you want.

Secondly, the "companion star" can be used as a reconnaissance satellite. According to Hong Kong media, the companion of Shenzhou VII is equipped with a CCD stereo camera similar to Chang 'e-1, which can take high-definition images on the ground. The "companion star" was released into orbit by "Shenzhou VII" to take photos and reconnaissance of the surface of interest.

Third, "companion star" can be a very terrible space weapon. Can be released by the spacecraft to carry out the task of attacking enemy space targets; It is also the most effective and loyal "bodyguard" of our ship-when the enemy attacks our ship, our ship can release the "companion star" in time and use the weapons it carries to destroy the enemy's attack weapons or perish together with them.