This may be the most rigorous "full body checkup" in the world...

In the space launch mission, there is an extremely important task, which is the general inspection, also known as the rocket simulation launch. In layman's terms, the general inspection is to give the rocket a "full physical examination". In other words, it is a full-system exercise with the largest number of people on duty, the most participating systems, the most coordinated elements, the most test items, and the most parameters obtained.

According to the current test and launch process of conventional rockets, two general inspections are carried out before the rocket is launched, first to assess the electrical performance of the rocket and then to simulate all actions and tests during the launch process to the greatest extent possible.

If the second general inspection goes smoothly, it means that the design of the entire launch process is reasonable, and the current status can be maintained and refueling and launch can be performed according to the established procedures. If there are incoordination and mismatching items in the second general inspection, it is necessary to analyze the reasons as soon as possible, make correct judgments, and solve the problems in depth.

Why is a general inspection necessary?

The purpose of the general inspection is to comprehensively assess the reliability of the rocket, satellite and launch site systems. The second general inspection is a simulated launch, which is closest to the launch state and the most comprehensive assessment elements. Each system and each position needs to carefully interpret the corresponding test parameters. As the No. 1 commander, you also need to master and pay attention to each judgment condition to ensure the correctness of the launch process.

How is the second general inspection different from the launch?

The only difference between the second general inspection and the real launch is that there is no fuel in the rocket tank, and the rocket is only simulating ignition. For the ignition process, software automatic control is currently used, and the button is an emergency measure.

Space launches have very high requirements for weather conditions. Bad weather conditions such as high temperatures, low temperatures, strong winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms are important factors that restrict the second general inspection. During the second general inspection, the launch tower must be opened according to the time node. At that time, the rocket carrying the satellite will be directly exposed to the external environment. After the general inspection, the tower must be closed and the plugs must be connected.

Space test launch is a huge system engineering, which requires the mastery of its rules according to the system thinking and the establishment of various subsystems by breaking down the whole into parts. For the general inspection, the biggest taboo is that there are problems but they are not discovered in time. In fact, it is not terrible to have problems. The key is to judge, analyze and solve the problems according to the zero-based standard.

In general, through the general inspection, each position can fully grasp the performance of rockets and satellites, thus laying a solid foundation for the successful launch.