Executive summary:The Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft (abbreviated as Tianzhou-2) was evacuated from the core module assembly of the Chinese space station a few days ago. It is reported that during the orbital operation, Tianzhou-2 experienced “4 dockings and 4 separations”, and it is currently the most frequently docked aircraft in China.
The Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft (abbreviated as Tianzhou-2) was evacuated from the core module assembly of the Chinese space station a few days ago. It is reported that during the orbital operation, Tianzhou-2 experienced “4 dockings and 4 separations”, and it is currently the most frequently docked aircraft in China.
China is the third country in the world to independently master rendezvous and docking technology after the United States and Russia. The rendezvous and docking technology, which is described as “space kiss”, is a technology in which two spacecraft meet in space orbit and are structurally connected as a whole. Only by breaking through this technology, can the assembly and construction of the space station be carried out, providing material transportation, personnel round-tripping, etc.
Tianzhou-2 is the first cargo spacecraft launched in the key technology verification phase of the Chinese space station. It was launched into orbit at the Wenchang launch site in Hainan on May 29, 2021, and sent 6.8 tons of supplies to the Chinese space station. During the in-orbit operation of the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft, a series of extended application tests were carried out.
In the “opening and closing” again and again, the docking mechanism designed and developed by the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has tried a variety of complex “space kisses” in orbit to explore the way for the establishment of the Chinese space station.
For example, on September 18, 2021, in order to meet the requirements of the follow-up mission, the docking mechanism of Tianzhou-2 implemented the separation from the rearward docking interface of the Tianhe core module, and flew around to the forward docking interface of the Tianhe core module to complete the second time. Docking test. For another example, on January 6, 2022, the docking mechanism completed the on-orbit docking task for the first time under the initial conditions provided by the robotic arm of the Chinese space station. For another example, on January 8, 2022, the Tianzhou-2 docking mechanism completed autonomous separation, and for the first time, the astronaut’s manual remote control operation completed the successful docking of Tianzhou-2 and the 43-ton space station assembly.
At present, the Tianzhou-2 spacecraft is in good condition, and will re-enter the atmosphere at an opportunity under ground control.
Original title: Tianzhou-2 has become China’s “most kissed” aircraft
