At 18:00 p.m. on May 5, the Long March 5B rocket was successfully launched from the Wenchang Rocket Launch Center in Hainan, sending a new generation of manned spacecraft test vessel and a flexible inflatable cargo return module test capsule into space.
One of them, the flexible inflatable cargo return module test module, has malfunctioned, but the new generation of manned spacecraft test vessel is functioning normally in orbit and will return to the ground on May 8.
According to information from the China Manned Spaceflight Office, the new generation of manned spacecraft test vessels, after taking off on May 5 aboard the Long March 5B carrier rocket, completed a series of work, such as the deployment of solar sails and the capture of the Sun, the deployment of relay antennas, the establishment of relay communication links and four autonomous orbital controls, according to the established plan.
At present, the new generation of manned spacecraft test vessel has a stable attitude, the power supply, measurement and control links are all normal, the whole vessel is in good condition and is flying normally in a large elliptical orbit. Three subsequent orbital controls will be implemented as planned, with braking at the apogee before entering and returning to the intended drop zone.
According to the plan, the new generation of manned spaceship testers will return to the ground on May 8.
China has previously developed the Shenzhou series of manned spacecraft and the Tianzhou series of cargo spacecraft and is now testing a new generation of manned spacecraft that will combine both NEO missions and deeper space exploration.
It can carry up to seven people and can also carry cargo, and with three people it can carry 500 kilograms of cargo, the overall technical level is second only to that of the United States cargo spacecraft.
Compared to the Shenzhou, the outer heat-resistant material of the new ship is no longer designed to be integrated with the ship as a whole but is instead in a removable mode, also intended to be easily replaced after each flight.
This, coupled with the airbag cushioned approach to landing, will better protect the ship itself from damage and guarantee its reuse.
In addition, the new generation of manned spacecraft development teams will strive to achieve 10 reusable return pods, gradually reducing costs.
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