The "Ground Space Station" is here! Do you know the elements that make up the space station?

On February 27, my country's first "space environment ground simulation device", a major national scientific and technological infrastructure project, successfully passed the national acceptance. It can comprehensively simulate nine types of space environment factors such as low temperature, vacuum, and electromagnetic radiation. It is also called a "ground space station." At the same time, are you curious about the elements that make up a real space station? Next, we will explore the mysteries of the composition of the space station together.

Spectacular spacecraft and busy astronauts are common images of space stations. In fact, the elements that make up a space station are far more than just these two. From launch vehicles to space applications, 14 major systems of manned spaceflight projects jointly support the construction and operation of space stations.

1. Astronaut system

The astronaut system includes astronauts and other staff members. Its main functions are to select and train astronauts, ensure the safety and health of astronauts' work and life in orbit, study human-related space life science issues and human factors engineering technology, and prepare for humans to enter deeper space. The overall unit of the system is the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.

2. Space application system

The main functions of the space application system are to select scientific experiments suitable for the space station, develop experimental facilities required for scientific experiments, and support scientists to smoothly carry out scientific research on the space station. The overall unit of the system is the Space Application Engineering and Technology Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

3. Manned spacecraft system

The main function of the manned spacecraft system is to develop the "Shenzhou" manned spacecraft and provide tools for the round-trip transportation of personnel and materials between the earth and the sky. The overall unit of the system is the China Academy of Space Technology.

4. Cargo Ship System

The main function of the cargo spacecraft system is to develop the "Tianzhou" cargo spacecraft, transport supplies and payloads to the space station (or space laboratory), add propellant, store and downlink waste materials on orbit, and controllably land in a predetermined area after the mission is completed. The overall unit of the system is the China Academy of Space Technology.

5. Long March 2F launch vehicle system

The main function of the Long March 2F launch vehicle system is to develop the Long March 2F (CZ-2F) launch vehicle. This is my country's only manned rocket, which has two states: launching the Tiangong space laboratory and launching the Shenzhou manned spacecraft. The overall unit of the system is the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

6. Long March 7 launch vehicle system

The main function of the Long March 7 launch vehicle system is to develop the Long March 7 (CZ-7) launch vehicle. In the construction of the space station, the CZ-7 rocket is used to launch the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft. The overall unit of the system is the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

7. Long March 5B launch vehicle system

The main function of the Long March 5B launch vehicle system is to develop the Long March 5B (CZ-5B) launch vehicle. In the construction of the space station, the CZ-5B rocket is used to launch the core module and experimental module of the space station. It is currently the rocket with the largest low-Earth orbit carrying capacity in my country. The overall unit of the system is the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

8. Jiuquan Launch Center System

The Jiuquan Launch Center system is mainly responsible for the testing and launching of spacecraft such as launch vehicles and spacecraft, payloads and astronaut system equipment at the launch site, and provides corresponding support conditions. In the construction of the space station, it undertakes the launch mission of manned spacecraft. The overall unit of the system is the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center of China.

9. Hainan Launch Site System

The Hainan Launch Site System is mainly responsible for the testing and launching of carrier rockets, spacecraft, space station, payload and astronaut system equipment at the launch site, and provides corresponding support conditions. In the construction of the space station, it mainly undertakes the launch mission of cargo spacecraft, optical cabin, space station core cabin and experimental cabin. The overall unit of the system is the Wenchang Space Launch Site of China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

10. Measurement, control and communication system

The measurement, control and communication system has built a land-sea-space measurement and control network including multiple command and control centers, domestic and foreign measurement and control stations, mobile measurement and control stations, the Yuanwang ocean-going survey ship and relay satellite systems. Its main function is to establish a communication channel between the spacecraft and the ground, so that the ground can understand the location and status of the spacecraft and keep in touch with the astronauts. The overall unit of the system is the Beijing Measurement, Control and Communication Technology Research Institute.

11. Space Laboratory System

The main function of the space laboratory system is to develop the "Tiangong" space laboratory. As the prototype of the space station, the two space laboratories "Tiangong-1" and "Tiangong-2" have successfully verified key technologies for the construction of the space station, such as rendezvous and docking, mid-term stay of astronauts, regenerative life support and propellant replenishment, and have fallen in the designated area. The overall unit of the system is the China Academy of Space Technology.

12. Manned Space Station System

The main function of the manned space station system is to develop the "Tiangong" space station. "Tiangong" is a multi-module space station assembled in orbit and a national-level space laboratory with long-term human participation, with a design life of 10 years. The overall unit of the system is the China Academy of Space Technology.

13. Landing site system

The landing site system consists of the main landing site, the secondary landing site, emergency search and rescue on land, emergency search and rescue at sea during the ascent phase, communications, and astronaut medical monitoring and medical insurance. It is mainly responsible for the measurement, control and communication of the return capsule during the return landing phase, the search after the return capsule lands, astronaut rescue, return capsule and payload recovery, and provides communication and meteorological support services for the landing site. The overall unit of the system is the China Xi'an Satellite Tracking and Control Center.

14. Optical cabin system

The main function of the space laboratory system is to develop the space station's "Sky Survey" optical cabin platform. The "Sky Survey" optical cabin platform is launched into orbit separately and flies in the same orbit as the space station. It supports multifunctional optical facilities to carry out sky surveys and earth observations, and can dock with the main body of the space station. The space station personnel and facilities will carry out propellant replenishment, equipment maintenance, and payload equipment upgrades. The overall unit of the system is the China Academy of Space Technology.