Just now, complete success!

Expert of this article: Lin Wenjie, engineer, senior researcher of Chuando Think Tank

According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, at 10:44 a.m. Beijing time on June 5, 2022, the Long March 2F Yao 14 carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou 14 manned spacecraft was ignited and launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. About 577 seconds later, the Shenzhou 14 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and entered the predetermined orbit. The flight crew was in good condition and the launch was a complete success.

At present, the space station complex has entered the docking orbit and is in good condition, meeting the mission requirements for rendezvous and docking with the Shenzhou XIV and the conditions for astronauts to move in.

On June 5, the Long March 2F Yao 14 carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou 14 manned spacecraft was ignited and launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Gang

(Click on the video↓)

The crew of the Shenzhou 14 manned flight mission consists of three astronauts: Chen Dong, Liu Yang and Cai Xuzhe, with Chen Dong serving as the commander.

On June 5, the departure ceremony for the astronaut crew of the Shenzhou XIV manned mission was held at the Wentian Pavilion Square of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Chen Dong (right), Liu Yang (center), and Cai Xuzhe are about to start their six-month mission. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cai Yang

During their in-orbit stay, the three astronauts of the Shenzhou 14 flight crew will rotate in-orbit with the Shenzhou 15 flight crew and return to the Dongfeng landing site in December.

Astronaut Liu Yang of Shenzhou XIV said that Shenzhou XIV will celebrate National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival in space for the first time, and it will also be the first time that Chinese people will celebrate their motherland's birthday in space.

How long will Shenzhou XIV stay in orbit? How is it different from previous spacecraft missions such as Shenzhou XIII? What role will it play in the construction of the space station?

Let’s take a look at this article…

What is the key to understanding the space station?

The Shenzhou 14 manned flight mission is the first manned flight during the space station construction phase and the second flight in this phase. The first flight was the Tianzhou 4 cargo spacecraft mission completed not long ago.

There are two key points to grasp here, namely: the key technology verification phase of the space station and the construction phase of the space station.

The key technology verification phase has been successfully completed, and the entire project has successfully completed six flight missions as planned, including the first flight of the Long March 5B carrier rocket, the core module, two manned spacecraft and two cargo spacecraft.

During the space station construction phase, six flight missions are planned:

First, the Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft was launched to deliver supplies;

Then, the Shenzhou XIV manned spacecraft was launched;

Secondly, during the Shenzhou XIV crew's stay in orbit, the Wentian and Mengtian experimental modules will be launched successively to dock with the Tianhe core module to complete the third and fourth flight missions;

Tianhe core module, source: China National Space Administration

It is expected that by the end of 2022, after the construction of the three-cabin assembly is completed, the Tianzhou-5 and Shenzhou-15 manned missions will be implemented, completing the fifth and sixth flight missions.

By then, the construction phase of the space station will be successfully completed and the space station application and development phase will begin. Here we might as well look forward to the space station application and development phase. It has been determined that the sky survey space telescope will be launched at an appropriate time, and it will fly independently in the same orbit as the space station for a long time. When necessary, it will dock at the space station for replenishment and maintenance, achieving major progress in my country's space telescopes and other related fields.

What are the arduous tasks of Shenzhou 14?

According to the mission plan, the three astronauts will work in orbit for six months, which is the same as the mission duration of Shenzhou 13.

However, the mission of Shenzhou 14 is more arduous. During the flight, the astronauts have to cooperate with the docking and transfer of the two experimental modules, Wentian and Mengtian, to complete the on-orbit assembly and construction of the space station, which is a key link in the space station construction phase.

The two experimental modules, Wentian and Mengtian, are basically the same size, about 17.9 meters long, 4.2 meters in diameter, and weigh 20 tons. They are expected to be launched in July 2022 using the Long March 5B carrier rocket. This size is longer than the 16.6-meter length of the Tianhe core module, and its mass is slightly lower than the 22.5 tons of Tianhe.

It can be considered that the Wentian and Mengtian laboratory modules are basically the same size as the Tianhe. After all three modules are in place, the main project of my country's space station will be basically completed.

Next, the Shenzhou 14 crew will complete the installation, debugging and various operations of equipment inside and outside the cabin and facilities related to space application missions, and conduct space science experiments and technical tests, as well as daily maintenance and repair work.

How is Shenzhou-14 different from previous spacecraft missions?

The biggest highlight of the Shenzhou 14 mission is to assist in the docking of the Wentian and Mengtian experimental modules. Since the size and mass of the experimental modules are basically similar to the Tianhe core module where the astronauts live and work, this is a major turning point in the construction phase of the space station, which is equivalent to expanding the scale of the space station from the original one module to three modules.

4 boosters revealed

For astronauts, the activity space has expanded rapidly. Originally, the three astronauts were concentrated in the Tianhe cabin. After the docking of the Wentian and Mengtian experimental cabins was completed, the three astronauts had activity space in three cabins.

What special food was brought to the sky this time?

The supplies needed by the three astronauts of Shenzhou 14 for their six-month life in orbit have been delivered to the space station by the Tianzhou 4 spacecraft, among which drinking water and food account for a large proportion.

Image source: Xinhuanet

According to Wang Chunhui, chief engineer of the Tianzhou-4 launch mission test team of the Astronaut Research and Training Center, compared with the Shenzhou XII and Shenzhou XIII missions, the amount of vegetable food carried by Tianzhou-4 has increased, with 4 more varieties added, totaling 32.

There are also some new types of food, such as festive food for Mid-Autumn Festival and Winter Solstice.

At the same time, there are special reward foods. After completing major tasks, you can open the "blind box" and get reward foods.

Since the astronauts in each manned mission are different, the types of food will be adjusted on a small scale. Different types of food will be carried according to the astronauts' dietary preferences. Carrying food that astronauts like will help astronauts adjust their mentality in orbit, quickly adapt to the orbital environment, and promote the smooth completion of the mission.

What role does it play in the construction of the space station?

The Shenzhou XIV mission is a key link in the construction of the space station. During the astronauts' stay in orbit, they will assist in the docking of the two experimental modules, Wentian and Mengtian, which is the last key link in the construction of the space station. After the docking is completed, the main body of my country's space station will be formed, realizing the structure of three modules and two ships.

On May 29, the Shenzhou XIV manned spacecraft and the Long March 2F Yao XIV carrier rocket were assembled and prepared to move to the launch area. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Wang Jiangbo)

From the perspective of manned engineering, the Shenzhou XIV mission once again verified the functions and reliability of manned spacecraft, cargo spacecraft, Long March 2F, Long March 5B and Long March 7 rockets, laying the foundation for the smooth operation of the subsequent space station management and organizational command system.

When will foreign astronauts join the Chinese space station?

The specific time for foreign astronauts to enter the Chinese space station has not yet been determined.

This year is a critical year for the comprehensive construction of China's space station. After the Tianhe core module successfully docks with two experimental modules, the space station will enter the operation and application development stage. Astronauts will be rotated in a cycle of 6 months.

Starting from 2023, the space station will be completed and foreign astronauts will theoretically be able to enter our space station, but relevant mechanisms still need to be formulated and studied. Only after the relevant departments give the access standards will foreign astronauts have the possibility to enter our space station.

For example, detailed instructions are required for determining the time, cost, and standards for foreign astronauts to come to China for training, how much they will have to pay to ride the Long March 2F, how long they will stay in orbit, and what tasks they will undertake. At the same time, the Chinese language proficiency of foreign astronauts is also a factor that restricts their entry into the Chinese space station.

Source: Science Popularization China WeChat Official Account