|
ShenZhou 7 Human Spaceflight Mission
Mission Details
- Official Name: ShenZhou 7
- Mission Crew: ZHAI Zhigang, JING Haipeng, LIU Boming
- Launch Vehicle: CZ-2F
- Launch Site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre
- Launch Time: 25 Sept 2008 21:10:04 Beijing Time (01:10:04 GMT)
- Landing Location: Siziwang Banner Landing Site
- Landing Time: 28 Sept 2008 17:38 Beijing Time (09:38 GMT)
- Duration: 68 hours 27 minutes
- No. of Orbits: 45
Summary
ShenZhou 7 is the first flight mission in the second phase of the China Human Spaceflight Programme (Project 921), and the third human spaceflight ever carried out by China. Despite being almost a year later than originally scheduled, the completion of the flight mission has been a major achievement for China’s space programme. The principle goal of the mission, to carry out China’s first extravehicular activity (EVA) mission, was accomplished without major problems. This made China the third country after Russia and the United States capable of carrying out EVA operations.
ShenZhou 7's 'Firsts'
- The first flight mission with three astronauts onboard – the maximum capacity of the ShenZhou spacecraft
- The first EVA mission. Using the Chinese indigenous EVA spacesuit FeiTian
- The first use of the data relay satellite (DRS) for communications between the spacecraft and ground control
- First time launch of a macro satellite from the spacecraft followed by formation flight of the two spacecraft
Mission Crew
ShenZhou 7 is China’s first three-man flight mission. Two crew teams were chosen from 14 candidates who underwent intensive training since July 2007. The selected mission crew were:
- Zhai Zhigang (Commander and EVA astronaut)
- Liu Boming (Orbital module astronaut)
- Jing Haipeng (Re-entry module monitor astronaut)
The backup crew were: Chen Quan (Commander), Fei Julong, and Nie Haisheng.
Spacecraft
In order to support the EVA mission, the ShenZhou 7 spacecraft is fitted with a modified orbital module, which serves as an airlock for the EVA. The space-walking astronaut will leave and return to the spacecraft via the large cylindrical hatch on the orbital module. Because of this, the orbital module of Shenzhou 7 lacks the pair of solar panel and scientific/IMINT mission payloads seen in previous ShenZhou missions.
Extravehicular Activity
The main purpose of the ShenZhou 7 mission was to carry out the first Chinese EVA mission. To support this mission, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) has developed the FeiTian EVA spacesuit, based on the technology of the Russian Orlan EVA spacesuit system designed and built by NPP Zvezda. The development project lasted 4 years. The 120kg FeiTian spacesuit has a solid torso and helmet but flexible arms. Like the Orlan, it was designed with a rear hatch entry through the attached backpack. The suit is attached to the spacecraft by an umbilical tether that supplied power and communications links. The spacesuit can support an EVA mission of up to four hours and can be re-used at least five times.
China also ordered nine sets of the Russian Orlan spacesuits in 2004. These included three EVA mission suits, two vacuum chamber training suits, and four water tank training suits. Both the indigenous FeiTian and Russian Orlan systems were used during ShenZhou 7’s EVA mission, suggesting that they were largely compatible. CAST also provided the power and communication units onboard both spacesuit systems. Russian advisers were involved in the EVA training and also provided technical assistance during the EVA mission.
The EVA mission was scheduled to take place on 27 September. At 02:20 GMT on 26 September, Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming entered the orbital module to begin the preparation and assembly of the EVA spacesuits. The preparation and safety check of the two spacesuits lasted for about 10 hours and was completed by 14:00 GMT.
At around 04:28 GMT on 27 September, Zhai and Liu entered the orbital module to begin the preparation for the EVA mission. Jing Haipeng remained in the re-entry module to monitor the flight of the spacecraft, at this point the hatch between the orbital module and re-entry module was sealed. At 06:43 GMT, the ground control confirmed that Zhai was the EVA astronaut and Liu the supporting astronaut. At 07:10 GMT, the two astronauts in the orbital module helped each other to put on the spacesuits and carried out safety checks. At 07:29 GMT, the two astronauts reported that they had put on the suits. At 07:39 GMT, the two astronauts began to depressurise the orbital module. By 08:28, the pressure within the orbital module was reduced to 2,000Pa, and the oxygen and power supplies on the spacesuits switched to the autonomous working mode.
The EVA operation began at 08:31 GMT (16:31 Beijing Time). Some minor problems were experienced with the exterior hatch of the orbital module, but did not cause any serious issues. The hatch was finally opened at 08:40 GMT. Zhai wearing the indigenous FeiTian EVA spacesuit climbed out of the orbital module at 08:44 GMT and reported to ground control that he was feeling fine. The whole EVA operation lasted 25 minutes 23 seconds. During this time, Zhai waved a Chinese national flag to the external camera onboard the spacecraft while making a short speech via his microphone in the spacesuit. Then he recovered samples of solid lubricant and photovoltaic cells placed outside the orbital module. Liu wearing a Russian Orlan spacesuit remained inside the orbital module most of the time, but also climbed half out of the orbital module to assist Zhai.
Zhai returned to the orbital module and closed the hatch at 09:03 GMT. At 09:11 GMT, Zhai reported that the hatch was fully sealed and pressurising of the module began. The pressure within the orbital module returned to normal levels at 10:07 GMT at which point the two astronauts returned to the re-entry capsule.
Monitoring Macro Satellite
A secondary mission of the ShenZhou 7 was to launch a macro satellite carried on top of the orbital module of the spacecraft. The satellite was launched by a spring mechanism shortly after the astronauts completed the EVA mission at 11:24 GMT on 27 September. The 40kg satellite, equipped with CCD cameras, flew in formation with the mother ship and captured external images of ShenZhou 7.
After 20 minutes of close formation flight with the ShenZhou spacecraft, the macro satellite gradually moved away from the spacecraft under the control of the ground tracking station, eventually flying about 100km behind the mother ship. After the astronauts returned to earth, the macro satellite performed manoeuvres to catch-up with the remaining orbital module to simulate space docking operations.
Chinese space engineers confirmed that the macro satellite served three purposes: (1) To test-control techniques with two objects in the orbit simultaneously, which can provide valuable experience for future space docking operations; (2) To provide means for examining the manned spacecraft externally, which would help for possible troubleshooting; (3) To test the macro satellite technologies.
Data Relay Satellite Test
The final task of ShenZhou 7 mission was to carry out testing on the satellite data relay system using the TianLian 1 (TL-1) data relay satellite (DRS), which was launched into GEO on 25 April 2008. The satellite provided data relay services transmitting audio and video signals between the spacecraft and the ground station throughout the ShenZhou 7 mission. A satellite data relay terminal is fitted on the orbital module of ShenZhou 7.
Chronology
February 2008: Chinese space officials confirmed to the media that the ShenZhou 7 mission would be carried out in the second half of 2008, and that preparation work for the mission was already underway.
10 July: The ShenZhou 7 spacecraft was airlifted from Beijing to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre (JSLC).
6 August: The ChangZheng 2F (CZ-2F) Y7 space launch vehicle (SLV) arrived at the JSLC by rail.
18 September: Integration of the SLV and ShenZhou spacecraft was completed.
20 September: The ShenZhou 7 / CZ-2F spacecraft was moved from the vertical LV processing building to the launch pad within the south launch centre.
25 September: The spacecraft was launched by the CZ-2F LV from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre at 21:10 local time (13:10 GMT). The whole launch process was broadcasted to the nation on live television.
26 September: At 02:20 GMT, astronaut Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming began to assemble the EVA spacesuits. The preparation and safety check of the two spacesuits lasted for about 10 hours and was completed by 14:00 GMT.
27 September: At around 04:28 GMT, Zhai and Liu entered the orbital module to begin preparation for the EVA mission. The hatch between the re-entry capsule and orbital module was sealed. At 07:29 GMT, the two astronauts reported that they had put on the suits. At 07:39 GMT, the two astronauts began to depressurise the orbital module. By 08:28, the pressure within the orbital module was reduced to 2,000Pa, and the oxygen and power supplies on the spacesuits switched to the autonomous working mode. Astronaut Zhai Zhigang began the EVA operation at 08:31 GMT and the mission lasted for 25 minutes 23 seconds. Zhai returned inside the orbital module and closed the hatch at 09:03 GMT. The hatch was fully sealed and the pressurising of the module began at 09:11 GMT. The pressure within the orbital module resumed the normal level at 10:07 GMT. At this point the two astronauts returned to the re-entry capsule.
27 September: At 11:24 GMT, ShenZhou 7 carried out its second mission by launching a macro satellite carried on top of the orbital module. Shortly after, the crew carried out the third mission of testing the communications with ground control via the TianLian 1 DRS.
28 September: At around 07:00 GMT, the mission crew put on their pressure suits and began preparation for re-entry. At around 09:00 GMT, the spacecraft began to adjust its speed and status under the control of Yuanwang 3 space tracking ship. The re-entry capsule and service modules were separated from the forward orbital module and solar panels. The spacecraft ignited its retro rocket engines to decrease speed and enter the re-entry trajectory. At 09:14 GMT, the service module was separated from the re-entry capsule. At 09:29 GMT, the re-entry capsule deployed its main parachute. Communications with the ground control was restored within few minutes. At 09:38 GMT (15:38 Beijing Time), the re-entry capsule touched down on the grassland in the landing site. At 10:25 GMT, the three astronauts walked out the re-entry capsule under the assistance of the rescue crew. Later they were airlifted to nearby Hohhot by three helicopters.
29 September: The crew were returned to Beijing via air force jet to a hero’s welcome from the present crowds.
Last update: 10 October 2008 |
