SCIO press conference on China's progress on space station construction
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 20, 2022
CGTN:
After the successful return of the Shenzhou-13 crew, there is growing anticipation toward the following manned spaceflight missions. It is understood that there are two batches of six astronauts to carry out missions this year. I would like to ask, what are the missions of the Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 space crews, and what preparations have been completed? Thank you.
Huang Weifen:
Thank you for your questions. According to the task arrangement during the construction stage, the crews for the two manned missions have been selected. At present, the crews of Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 are in good condition and are actively carrying out relevant training and mission preparations.
Both crews will stay in orbit for six months, and they will for the first time rotate in orbit to realize uninterrupted manned residence. The two crews, totaling six astronauts, will live together in orbit for five to 10 days, which will bring more serious challenges to the astronaut system.
The Shenzhou-14 crew will cooperate with ground control to complete the assembly and construction of the space station and gradually develop it from a single-module space station into a three-module combination. In this process, nine assembly formations, five rendezvous and docking missions, three separation and evacuations, and two transposition missions will be undertaken. They will enter the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules for the first time to build a manned environment. They will also cooperate with ground control to carry out tests on the two-module complex, the three-module complex, the station's large and small mechanical arms, and the exit function of the airlock cabin in the lab modules. They will use the airlock cabin to carry out extravehicular activities for the first time and complete the unlocking and assembly of the 14 cabinets in the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules. The Shenzhou-15 crew will also carry out several extravehicular activities; assemble, test, and debug the payloads inside modules; and control the mechanical arms to install extravehicular payloads. They will also operate, manage, and maintain the largest complex composed of three modules and three spacecraft. The two crews will undertake science popularization and other public activities, in-orbit scientific research experiments and engineering technology tests, and will collect flight mission data. They will also carry out in-orbit health monitoring, protective exercises, in-orbit training and drills, station platform inspections and tests, equipment maintenance, and station and material management.
Based on the characteristics of the missions in the construction stage, the astronaut system has designed and implemented more than 200 training programs in eight categories in accordance with the principle of "strict and demanding training under combat conditions and integrating tests with training." By doing so, we aim to prepare our astronauts for missions in various aspects of mind, body, psychology, knowledge, and operation skills. On the basis of comprehensive and systematic training, we have intensified efforts in the following aspects:
First, we have carried out intensive training for the setting of the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules when astronauts first enter them, as well as the operation management, equipment operation, maintenance and repair, material management, and station management of various combination configurations.
Second, to prepare for missions such as robot arm verification and extravehicular activities through the airlock, we have completed training in robot arm operation, extravehicular activity procedures, coordinated cooperation, weightlessness simulation and low-pressure environment, among others.
Third, we have enhanced the training in malfunction emergency response and the rendezvous and docking of the lab modules through remote control and manual operation.
Fourth, we have strengthened physical and strength training, psychological adjustment training, and supporting skills training for in-orbit health, life, and work stay.
Fifth, we have finished dozens of training programs concerning space experiments, tests and platform operation.
Sixth, relevant astronauts have participated in nearly 100 engineering development tests, such as the man-ship combined test, man-station combined test, and ergonomics evaluation test, and been deeply involved in the writing of the flight manual and plan. While giving full play to the role of astronauts, we have constantly improved their comprehensive capabilities under combat conditions.
In addition, personalized training and personalized health security work have been reinforced. Multiple arrangements have been made for the Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 crews to communicate with the crews of Shenzhou-12 and Shenzhou-13. On the basis of the Shenzhou-13 mission, we have further improved the supporting measures for astronauts' long-term in-orbit stay so as to ensure that they can live healthily and work efficiently in orbit, and complete their missions successfully. Thank you.
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