"Space Express", set off! China's space station construction phase begins

In the early morning of the 10th, my country successfully launched the Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft into space using the Long March-7 carrier rocket, marking the beginning of the construction phase of China's space station.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Ignition!" At 1:56, accompanied by a loud rumbling sound, the Long March 7 carrier rocket carrying the Tianzhou 4 cargo spacecraft took off into the sky, drawing a brilliant trail in the night sky.

Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Guo Cheng

About 10 minutes later, the spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and entered the predetermined orbit. At 2:23, the spacecraft's solar panels started working smoothly, and the launch was a complete success. Subsequently, the Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft will rendezvous and dock with the space station complex in orbit.

Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Hu Zhixuan

At this moment, the Tianhe core module of the space station and the Tianzhou-3 combination are flying in space 400 kilometers high, waiting for new members to join.

At this point, the curtain has officially been raised on the construction phase of China's space station, and the crucial battle to achieve the "three-step" strategic goal of my country's manned space program has begun.

Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft

How is it different from before?

What goods will be delivered to

Our "space home"?

The cargo spacecraft has delivered the "express"

Are you just going to turn around and leave?

After watching the shocking "excitement" of the rocket launch,

Let’s take a look at the “tricks” of this mission.

01

Tianzhou-4 is so big, what kind of cargo does it carry?

It is understood that the Tianzhou-4 is loaded with more than 200 pieces (sets) of cargo for astronaut systems, space station systems, space application fields, and cargo spacecraft systems, including cargo packages, direct installation cargo, and additional propellant.

These materials will provide material support for future astronauts' stay in orbit, space station assembly and construction, and space application fields such as material science, microgravity, and aerospace medicine experiments. In order to ensure the safe delivery of goods to the "space home", the "Tianzhou-4" also uses a variety of cargo loading methods such as cargo bags, brackets, and storage boxes. It has the ability to undertake space station attitude orbit control, grid-connected power supply, space station telemetry, data transmission support, etc., to support space station operations and scientific experiments.

02

Sending "space express" is a delicate job

According to reports, the Tianzhou series of spacecraft has entered the mass production stage, and the spacecraft is very similar to the previous "Tianzhou 3" in terms of product configuration and technical status. However, based on previous experience, "Tianzhou 4" has achieved more refinement and perfection.

On October 17, 2021, the Shenzhou 13 astronauts successfully entered Tianzhou 3.

According to the previous usage opinions of the astronaut crew, in order to make it more convenient and intuitive to find cargo, the Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft added color identification to the cargo packages through the color design of labels and handles.

At the same time, in order to save space and facilitate storage, the cushioning foam in the cargo bag is also optimized by miniaturizing the blocks.

03

After the "space express" was delivered, the cargo spacecraft "transformed" on the spot

Xu Xiaoping, deputy chief designer of the Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft system, revealed in an interview that Tianzhou-4 will leave orbit after accompanying the Shenzhou-14 flight crew through their time in the space station.

The cargo ship will stay in the space station for a longer period of time, which is also what the astronauts hope for. Xu Xiaoping cited the example of the Tianzhou-2 mission, saying that although the "cargo" mission has ended, there is an extra cabin on it, which will provide more space for items and waste, thereby increasing the effective space for astronauts to move around in the cabin and keeping the space station clean. "Because the various capabilities of the cargo ship can provide support for the entire space station, multiple ships on it will have stronger reliability and operational capabilities."

This year, China's manned space program will carry out five space launch missions, sending two manned spacecraft, two space station experimental modules and one cargo spacecraft into space to complete the in-orbit construction of my country's space station.

This is the 22nd launch mission of my country's manned space program, the first launch mission for the space station construction to transition from the key technology verification stage to the in-orbit construction stage, and the 420th flight of the Long March series of launch vehicles.

Comprehensive sources: Xinhua News Agency, CCTV News, China Aerospace News, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, etc.