Related News
Space lab nears final countdown
Source: Xinhua |
September 27, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ENGINEERS are conducting final preparations before the launch of China's first space laboratory module from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China later this week.
A full ground simulation took place on Sunday to ensure that the unmanned Tiangong-1 module and its Long March 2F carrier rocket were ready for the mission.
The launch had been due to take place today but a cold front due to hit Gansu Province threatened to affect wind speeds in the Gobi Desert and take-off was put back to Thursday or Friday, according to the center.
Cui Jijun, commander-in-chief of the launch site system and director of the center, said they had made more than 170 technical improvements to the rocket.
Engineers also made more than 100 updates at the launch site in order to make it compatible with the Tiangong-1, Cui said.
The module will conduct docking experiments after entering its low orbit around the Earth, a first step in China's space station program.
Cui said the launch site now has an updated computer center and command monitoring system and has increased ability to adapt to changes in mission conditions, as well as the resources to handle both the launch and command duties.
An integrated simulation training system has also been developed for the docking mission.
The mission comes just one month after a Long March 2C rocket malfunctioned and failed to send an experimental satellite into orbit. The Tiangong-1 mission was subsequently rescheduled to allow engineers to sort out any problems that might occur during the launch.
Cui said engineers conducted two months of comprehensive technical checks on equipment at the launch site from March to May. The safety and reliability of all the instruments have been significantly improved.
The Tiangong-1 will remain in orbit for two years. During its mission, it will dock with China's Shenzhou 8, 9 and 10 spacecraft. Unmanned docking procedures will be an essential step toward China achieving its goal of establishing a manned space station around 2020.
A full ground simulation took place on Sunday to ensure that the unmanned Tiangong-1 module and its Long March 2F carrier rocket were ready for the mission.
The launch had been due to take place today but a cold front due to hit Gansu Province threatened to affect wind speeds in the Gobi Desert and take-off was put back to Thursday or Friday, according to the center.
Cui Jijun, commander-in-chief of the launch site system and director of the center, said they had made more than 170 technical improvements to the rocket.
Engineers also made more than 100 updates at the launch site in order to make it compatible with the Tiangong-1, Cui said.
The module will conduct docking experiments after entering its low orbit around the Earth, a first step in China's space station program.
Cui said the launch site now has an updated computer center and command monitoring system and has increased ability to adapt to changes in mission conditions, as well as the resources to handle both the launch and command duties.
An integrated simulation training system has also been developed for the docking mission.
The mission comes just one month after a Long March 2C rocket malfunctioned and failed to send an experimental satellite into orbit. The Tiangong-1 mission was subsequently rescheduled to allow engineers to sort out any problems that might occur during the launch.
Cui said engineers conducted two months of comprehensive technical checks on equipment at the launch site from March to May. The safety and reliability of all the instruments have been significantly improved.
The Tiangong-1 will remain in orbit for two years. During its mission, it will dock with China's Shenzhou 8, 9 and 10 spacecraft. Unmanned docking procedures will be an essential step toward China achieving its goal of establishing a manned space station around 2020.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
