SCIO press conference on China's progress on space station construction
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 20, 2022
Shou Xiaoli:
Now we entered the Q&A part. Please state the news outlets you work for before raising a question.
China Media Group:
Mr. Hao, the astronauts successfully returned yesterday, and this marked the successful completion of the key technologies verification phase for the space station project. Can you please shed light on the achievements we have accomplished and where we are on completing the set targets?
Hao Chun:
Thank you for your questions. We just mentioned that the main goal in the key technologies verification phase was to realize comprehensive breakthroughs of key technologies in the construction and operation of the space station. We think that comprehensive breakthroughs in relevant key technologies have been realized by implementing six missions. We have achieved many results through the six missions, which I will lay out.
First, we have achieved comprehensive breakthroughs in key technologies of space station construction. For example, astronauts' long-term in-orbit stays used to be one month at the longest, but now the living support and work support technologies allow them to remain in orbit for three months or six months. It makes a huge difference. These technologies have been thoroughly verified and reached a new level. Many other technologies, such as regenerative environmental control and life support, driving mechanisms for large-scale flexible solar arrays, transfer of modules aided by robot arms, and rendezvous and docking by remote control of astronauts, have seen breakthroughs, solving technological difficulties for future space station construction.
Second, we have improved organization and command system for conducting various missions. Since we started the space station project, the frequency of missions has stepped up, and five missions were conducted within six months last year, which posed new challenges for the organization and implementation of missions. To ensure successful organization and implementation of missions, we further improved the organization and command system. For example, we established the mechanism for emergency launching of manned spacecraft and the mechanism for astronauts' emergency return, and search and rescue. By improving the systems and mechanisms, we can ensure the efficient and smooth implementation of every launch to ensure the in-orbit safety of astronauts and the stable operation of the space station.
Third, the operation and management system for manned spaceflight with Chinese characteristics was initially established. Hugely different from the discontinuous launchings and short-term in-orbit operations in the past, spacecraft were in long-term continuous operations after entering the space station period. Astronauts worked and lived for longer terms while staying in orbit. These required the ground team to fully monitor and deal with emergencies throughout the whole process and in all states. To meet the new requirements, we explored and formulated a new flight-control model that combines centralized and distributed functions and developed a distributed system for ground control. They were put into use after the space station's core module was launched into orbit and have stood the tests during practical operations. A solid foundation has been built for long-term in-orbit space station operation and management in the future.
Fourth, high-level research results of space science and significant comprehensive benefits have been achieved. By utilizing experimental facilities for space science on the core module, we conducted scientific experiments, mainly containerless and high microgravity experiments, and accomplished many world-class achievements. We have insisted that the project's purpose is to serve the national economy and people's livelihoods, drive scientific and technological development, and boost comprehensive benefits. The manned missions of the Shenzhou series spacecraft carried a large number of seeds, including various characteristic plant seeds, experimental samples such as microorganisms and electronic components, and many experimental facilities and equipment for future development of aerospace technologies. We also carried out a series of science popularization and educational activities, including the "Tiangong classroom" space lecture activities, the exchange events that Chinese astronauts in space station Tiangong held a video chat with people in Beijing, Hong Kong and Macao, and a youth painting exhibition staged on the space station. We have reached rich results in both space science research and comprehensive benefits.
In general, in the space station's key technology verification phase, we have made comprehensive breakthroughs and mastered the key technologies of space station construction, and fully verified the functions and performance of various systems for follow-up missions, as well as the coordination and compatibility between systems. We have also tested the project's ability to implement missions on a frequent and regular basis, and accumulated rich experience in operation and management, laying a solid foundation for the construction of the space station. Thank you.
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