If Russia withdraws from the group, how will the International Space Station fly?

This year is a great year for China's manned space flight.

The tasks come one after another.

Shenzhou XIII returned with a full load.

Shenzhou XIV and Shenzhou XV are ready to go.

The Mengtian and Wentian experimental modules are ready to take off.

By then, China's space station will be fully completed.

Rong has been following the progress of China's manned space flight.

But let me take a short break today.

Let’s take a look at the gossip going on at the International Space Station next door.

Well-known reasons,

There are more and more conflicts on the International Space Station.

There is no way, the more people there are, the more trouble there is.

Not to mention that there are many factors other than science and technology involved.

On April 1, the Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft

The three Russian and American astronauts were successfully brought back to Earth.

But there has been no end to the news that Russia is going to withdraw from the International Space Station.

So the question is, if it really leaves,

Other partners on the International Space Station

Can we continue to have fun?

We can discuss this.

Although the International Space Station was built by 16 countries,

But the United States built 8 modules.

Russia built six.

Daily operations and maintenance of the International Space Station

These two are the main leaders.

In terms of specific division of labor,

The United States is primarily responsible for fuel

and electricity and other energy supply tasks,

For example, most solar panels are installed in the United States.

The International Space Station is also powered by

Solar panels and power supply systems provided by the United States.

Russia is responsible for the space station's orbit maintenance and attitude control

And other maneuvers such as avoiding space debris.

If you think of the space station as a car,

It can be said that the United States is responsible for batteries and fuel tanks.

Russia is responsible for the engine and steering system.

They say space is a vacuum.

In fact, for the International Space Station, which is 420 kilometers above the Earth,

Still, because of the extremely thin air

The resistance brought by the vehicle causes it to slowly drop in height.

About 2 kilometers per month.

When manned spacecraft and cargo spacecraft

When docking with or evacuating a space station,

will cause an impact on the space station.

This caused the space station's flight attitude to deviate.

At the same time, scrap satellites and other spacecraft, space debris

You also need to dodge when there is a possibility of collision with the space station.

Don't think this is a low-probability event.

Our Tianhe in July 2021

This operation was performed twice in October.

To avoid the approach of Musk's SpaceX Starlink satellites.

So if Russia withdraws from the group and waves goodbye,

International space will face a direct test of life and death.

Fortunately, the United States still has the Cygnus cargo spacecraft.

SpaceX cargo Dragon and crew Dragon spacecraft,

These three brothers are all motivated.

Slightly remodeled

It can also serve as the power module for the International Space Station.

For example, the Cygnus cargo spacecraft,

Can transport 2700 kg of cargo at one time

Sent to the International Space Station.

Its most recent launch was on February 19 this year.

It is still docked on the space station.

Its remaining fuel

It can support the International Space Station for up to three months.

Then a new cargo ship must take over.

It can be slightly modified to carry 2700 kg of full fuel.

Enough for the International Space Station to fly for half a year.

What about the Russian section that flew away?

I mentioned it before when I was chatting about our sky and the core module.

20 tons of Tianhe

The Shuguang core module with a total weight of 50 tons was realized.

The functions of the Unity Node Module and the Star Service Module.

You can guess from these names.

Is this the Russian section?

That's right.

Russian space station technology

It is undoubtedly the leader.

The cabin is fully equipped with complete life systems.

Water circulation system and air filtration system.

As for space sports equipment, hibernation capsules,

Space kitchen is even more standard.

It also has its own solar panels.

After the family is separated, I can have fun on my own.

As the burden is reduced,

The annual fuel consumption is only one-third of the original amount.

As for whether it will visit our Chinese space station,

This is a bit difficult.

The track height difference is easy to explain.

But the inclination of the orbit is also different, which makes it difficult.

And even if it can come, the interface is still different.

So let's just wave.

Wish each other a safe journey.

Source: China Digital Science and Technology Museum