Chinese space station: like a multiple-interface "Transformers"

Xinhua Beijing on March 8, published on the CPPCC's "Thirteen-Five" proposed in the draft program, deep space probes and space vehicle on-orbit servicing and maintenance system as "scientific and technological innovation 2030--major project" one of the six major science and technology projects. The CPPCC, Chief Designer of the China manned space program Zhou Jianping 8th accepted an exclusive interview with Xinhua, exclusive disclosure before and after 2020 China built space station and will be implemented this year and next task of the second space laboratory in the sky.

China's space station: the interface of "Transformers"
Chinese space station like?

Zhou said China plans built around 2020 the General configuration of the space station are three cabin, a core module, two experiments, each class is 20 tons, is a t-configuration as a whole. There are five core module interfaces, you can dock a cargo ship, two manned spacecraft and two laboratory module, with a hatch for extravehicular activity.

"China's space station may extend further, according to the space science and application needs can be docked more cabin. "Zhou said.

Behind the construction of the space station, is a large space facilities construction technology of a great leap forward. "Day boat" cargo ship has a modular design, with sealed cargo hold, half open and half seal/hold, open cargo holds three types of configurations, you can transport different loads, including small cabin, assembled by astronauts and robotic arm on the space station. Which requires us to master the construction of large space facilities and operations management technologies, strong maintenance upgrades.

"The development of China's space station and follows the principle of modest size. Such a large project, scale is conducive to control engineering cost and focused characteristics of manned space, highlighting the role of play in space. Chinese space station was built when the international space station will reach end of life. "Zhou said.

　　Space station mission: space in the national laboratory

"The station's sacred mission is to become the Chinese national laboratory in space, supports scientists engaged in cutting-edge scientific research, space technology research and development and utilization of space resources. The ultimate goal is for the benefit of all mankind. "Zhou said.

Space station resources are very valuable, after careful selection of science, will sport a installed on the space station, including biology, material science, fundamental physics, micro-gravity, fluid, burning more than more than 10 kinds of experimental facilities for scientific research.

"Materials science laboratory facilities and equipment, preparation of new materials using micro-gravity environment of space, research space using properties of the material. Future studies, conceived in the research and development of new materials with broad industrial value. "Zhou said first-class space experiment platform, will provide world-class scientists made significant breakthroughs to provide security.

　　Eye of the universe: the bihabo field is the largest of more than 30,000 times Survey Telescope

Zhou said will launch a separate optical module of more than 10 tons in the future, maintain common rail with space station flight.

"Plans to set up a set of two meters in diameter in the optical module of the Survey Telescope, resolution equal to the Hubble, fov is Hubble's more than 300 times. If ten years in orbit, for 40% of the area, about 17,500 square area were observed. "Zhou said.

This telescope, sky and band coverage, image quality is good, will be China's "eyes of the universe". It can continuously for scientists to study Cosmology and astronomy provided vast amounts of scientific data, for Chinese scientists in the World Science forefront, make significant original results provide strong support.

"The composition and evolution of the universe, dark energy, dark matter, black holes, study ... ... We look forward to the fundamental issues of cosmology, astronomy has made a major breakthrough. "Zhou said.

　　The advantage: the world's leading information systems, solar, mechanical arm

"China is not the first to enter the space, from a different angle to understand, but the advantage. In recent years, advances in information technology, new energy, automation and artificial intelligence technology, comprehensive reflection on the Chinese space station. "Zhou said.

Based on contemporary technologies achievements China's space station design and construction, more information, and more. "In particular, in the communications, networking, data management, and application of, the space station is quite advanced in China. That also benefited from the contemporary technological development and national science and technology progress. "Zhou said. Space station such a large system, requires strong power protection.

"China's space station has two pairs of ' wings ' wing of flexible solar array wingspan about 30 metres. They double-shaft dual-directional institutions, high performance lithium-ion batteries together, constitute a station's advanced and powerful power supply system. "Zhou said this system can provide sufficient reliable, uninterrupted power supply for space station.

"At the moment, ground solar photovoltaic, solar energy to electrical energy conversion rate is generally about 10% a few. Space stations using the latest research and development of solar photovoltaic systems, conversion efficiency of 30% or more. "Zhou said.

"An astronaut in the cabin operations arm, an astronaut space walk outside the cabin. Whether it's cabin, equipment moving the transposition or the astronaut's own mobile, can be accomplished by a mechanical arm. "This is not science fiction, but reality for the near future. "China has two types of robotic arm of the space station, cumulative 15 metres in length. Man-machine cooperation makes possible for space station maintenance. "Zhou said.

　　Space economy: recycling and utilization

Carrying supplies to space costs are very high, and manned space development as a major economic, priorities. "Material recycling and increase the material recycling rate, is a major concern of the manned space technology of the world challenge. "Zhou said.

Chinese space station design a complete regenerative life support system. Astronaut exhaled water vapour by way of condensing water recovery, excretion in the urine also could collect a purified again as drinking water and domestic water use. Electrolytic hydrogen, oxygen and exhaled carbon dioxide the astronauts will regenerate oxygen through chemical reaction, which also reduces the oxygen supplies required.

Increase the substance is an effective means of improving economic efficiency. China will use electric propulsion technology for space station orbit of the space station to maintain power, this will significantly reduce the station during the run of the propellant supply needs.

Also working on the development of the next generation of manned Earth transportation ideas, will aim at reusable targets with a view to further reducing the cost of space transportation and improve efficiency.

　　Astronaut: selected from engineers and scientists

At present, China's astronauts are selected from the active duty air force pilot, is mainly responsible for driving the spacecraft mission. "The station will conduct scientific experiments in space, in addition to good physical common requirements, require different types of astronauts in the future, especially for engineers and scientists. "Zhou said.

One is the flight engineer to manage maintenance and repair spacecraft. Equipment is out of order to be able to repair, after the new technology to upgrade the spacecraft. This requires from the selection of those who have a relevant educational background and work experience, with a lot of training to become astronauts. Another is an excellent scientist, space, observation, analysis results, adjustment programmes, the design of new experiments, scientists are needed to complete. According to the space station project, select background training scientists, is also a main direction of future astronaut selection.

　　Medium-term hosted Temple on the second astronaut: 30 days

Zhou said this year until the first half of next year, China will implement the manned space lab mission to verify future space technologies. Current Temple on the second completed final Assembly, the system is being prepared for war.

Launch in the third quarter of this year the second. 11th Shenzhou spacecraft will carry two male astronauts docked with the temple on the second completion, and resides in space for 30 days. The manned space mission this year will enter a new stage of application development, conducted a number of experiments in the temple on the second.

"Finished 11th and Shenzhou spacecraft rendezvous and docking and space science experiments, Temple on the second in 2017 will be verified in the first half-day boat, first cargo spacecraft docking supplies technology and resources. "Zhou said.

　　Plant growth experiment: rice and Arabidopsis

Zhou said the temple on the second space laboratory launched in the second half of this year, including the plant growth cycle experiments carried out many scientific experiments.

"Space exploration in the future humans living in space for a long time. Closed-loop ecosystem in order to explore space technologies, Temple on the second ' from seed to seed ' process of plant growth and development experiments. At present, two plants of planting rice, Arabidopsis, study the different growth conditions of long days and short day. "Zhou said.

　　China innovation: Heaven distributing quantum keys

"Flight of the space lab mission going in a number of space science experiments and technology pilot project. "Zhou introduced quantum key transmission tests, such as heaven and Earth test laser communications, in the field of information security has a wide range of applications.

These projects, are currently the world's most cutting-edge areas of exploration. For example, space experiments of cold atomic clocks. Temple on the second will carry the world's first cold-atomic clock, use of space micro-gravity conditions, stability of up to 10-16. Ultra high-precision atomic clocks is a key technology areas such as satellite navigation. For instance three dimensional imaging microwave altimeters, to a width of three dimensional measurement of sea level is obtained is less than 5 cm measurements, wave height measured ... ...

"China has been in line with the principle of the peaceful utilization of space, welcomed and was committed to international cooperation. "Zhou said Temple on the second will carry the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Switzerland jointly developed by the University of Geneva gamma burst detection equipment. This equipment the detection efficiency of similar international instruments than in the past dozens of times. European scientists will measure cosmic gamma-ray bursts-Ray and scatter, which revealed some problems structure, origin and evolution of the universe.

In addition, the temple on the second will also carry out preparation tests, study on Nano-composite optical materials, high-performance thermoelectric conversion materials, high performance alloy materials.

　　Long seventh flight: carrying a manned reentry capsule

Nontoxic cleaner next-generation midsize carrier rocket long March seventh will be first flew in June this year. It will be powered by a new scaled down reentry capsule, which is the innovation of China's manned space exploration program. Zhou said that launch tasks include testing rockets and spacecraft re-entry two new products, which is China's manned space engineering to bear, saving efficient and vivid interpretations of the development concept.

Long seventh carrier rocket will be launched in 2017 China's first cargo spacecraft day boat first, its success marks China's access to space capabilities has increased significantly, which will add a wonderful one from space powers to aerospace power.

(Editors: Pan Yi burn UN657)
2016-03-08 17:34:20
Surging

解读中国空间站：像一个多接口的“变形金刚”

　　新华网北京3月8日消息，全国两会上公布的“十三五”规划纲要草案提出，将深空探测及空间飞行器在轨服务与维护系统作为“科技创新2030——重大项目”六大重大科技项目之一。全国政协委员、中国载人航天工程总设计师周建平8日接受新华社专访，独家披露了2020年前后建成的中国空间站和今明两年将实施的天空二号空间实验室的任务。

中国空间站：多接口的“变形金刚”
　　中国空间站什么样？

　　周建平表示，中国计划在2020年前后建成的空间站总体构型是三个舱段，一个核心舱，两个实验舱，每个舱都是20吨级，整体呈T字构型。核心舱有五个对接口，可以对接一艘货运飞船、两艘载人飞船和两个实验舱，另有一个供航天员出舱活动的出舱口。

　　“中国空间站是可以进一步扩展的，根据空间科学研究和应用的需要，可以对接更多的舱段。”周建平说。

　　建设空间站的背后，是大型空间设施建造技术的巨大跨越。我国“天舟”货运飞船采用模块化设计，具有全密封货舱、半密封／半开放货舱、全开放货舱三种构型，可以把不同的载荷包括小型舱段运输上去，由航天员和机械臂将其装配到空间站上。这要求我们掌握大型空间设施的建造技术和运营管理技术，具备强大的维护维修升级能力。

　　“中国空间站的研发，遵循了规模适度原则。这么大的工程，适度规模有利于控制工程的成本，重点突出载人航天的特色，突出发挥人在太空中的作用。中国空间站建成之时，国际空间站将达到寿命末期。”周建平说。

　　空间站使命：太空中的国家实验室

　　“空间站的神圣使命是，成为太空中的中国国家实验室，支持科学家从事前沿科学探索、空间技术研究和空间资源的开发和利用。最终目的是为全人类造福。”周建平说。

　　空间站资源十分宝贵，经过科学慎重遴选，空间站上将搭载安装包括生物学、材料科学、基础物理、微重力、流体、燃烧等十余大类的科学研究实验设施。

　　“材料科学的实验设施设备，能够利用太空微重力环境制备新材料，研究材料的空间使用性能。未来很多研究，孕育在新材料的研发中，具有广阔工业价值。”周建平说，一流的太空实验平台，将为科学家们取得世界级的重大突破提供条件保障。

　　宇宙之眼：比哈勃视场角大300百多倍的巡天望远镜

　　周建平表示，未来会单独发射一个十几吨的光学舱，与空间站保持共轨飞行状态。

　　“计划在光学舱里架设一套口径两米的巡天望远镜，分辨率与哈勃相当，视场角是哈勃的300多倍。如果在轨十年，可以对百分之四十以上的天区，约一万七千五百平方度天区进行观测。”周建平说。

　　这套望远镜，天区和波段覆盖广，像质好，将是中国人的“宇宙之眼”。它可以源源不断地为科学家们研究宇宙学和天文学提供海量的科学数据，为中国科学家站在世界科学前列、做出重大原创性成果提供有力支撑。

　　“宇宙的构成和演化，暗能量、暗物质、黑洞的研究……我们期待对宇宙学、天文学的基本问题取得重大突破。”周建平说。

　　后发优势：世界领先的信息系统、太阳翼、机械臂

　　“中国不是最早进入宇宙空间的，换一个角度理解，反而有后发优势。近年来，信息技术、新能源、自动化和人工智能技术的进步，将综合体现在中国空间站上。”周建平说。

　　中国的空间站基于当代最新技术成果设计建造，信息化程度更高、能力更强。“尤其在通信、网络、数据管理和应用等方面，我国的空间站都相当先进。这也得益于当代技术发展和国家科技进步。”周建平说。空间站如此庞大的系统，需要强有力的电力保障。

　　“中国空间站有两对‘翅膀’——单翼翼展约30米的柔性太阳翼。它们与双轴对日定向机构、高效能锂离子电池等一起，构成了空间站先进、强大的电源系统。”周建平说，这个系统能够为空间站提供可靠、充足的不间断供电。

　　“目前，地面上太阳能光伏发电，太阳能到电能的转化率一般在百分之十几左右。空间站使用最新研发的太阳能光伏发电系统，转化效率可达30%以上。”周建平说。

　　“一名航天员在舱内操作机械臂，一名航天员在舱外太空行走。无论是舱段转位、大设备的移动，还是航天员自身的移动，都可以通过机械臂完成。”这不是科幻片，而是不久将来的现实。“中国空间站有两类机械臂，长度累计15米。人机配合，让空间站建造维修成为可能。”周建平说。

　　太空经济：循环利用和高效利用

　　往太空运送物资的成本非常高，载人航天的发展必须把经济性作为重大、优先问题。“进行物资循环利用并提高物资循环利用率，是世界载人航天关注的重大技术挑战问题。”周建平说。

　　中国空间站设计了完整的可再生生命保障系统。航天员呼出的水蒸气会通过冷凝水的方式回收，排泄的尿液也会回收净化，重新作为饮用水和生活用水使用。电解制氧时产生的氢气与航天员呼出的二氧化碳，将通过化学反应重新生成氧气，这也降低了氧气的补给需求。

　　提高单位物质的效率是提高经济性的有效手段。中国空间站将采用电推进技术作为空间站轨道维持的动力装置，这将显著降低空间站运行期间的推进剂补给需求。

　　我国也在研究下一代载人天地往返运输系统的发展思路，将瞄准可重复使用的目标，以期进一步降低空间运输的成本，提高效益。

　　航天员：将从工程师和科学家中选拔

　　目前，我国的航天员都是从现役空军飞行员中选拔，主要承担航天器驾驶任务。“空间站将开展太空科学实验，除了良好的身体素质这个共性要求外，未来需要不同类型的航天员，尤其是工程师和科学家。”周建平说。

　　一类是能够管理维护维修航天器的飞行工程师。设备出了故障能够修理，新技术出来后能够给航天器升级。这就需要从有相关教育背景和工作经历的人中选拔，经过大量训练，成为航天员。另一类是优秀科学家，到了太空后，观察实验现象、分析结果、调整方案、设计新的实验方案，都需要科学家来完成。根据空间站的实验项目，选择相关专业背景的科学家进行训练，也是未来航天员选拔一个主要方向。

　　航天员中期驻留天宫二号：约30天

　　周建平表示，今年年中至明年上半年，我国将实施载人航天工程空间实验室任务，验证未来空间站关键技术。目前天宫二号已完成总装，各系统正在紧张备战。

　　今年第三季度发射天宫二号。神舟十一号飞船将乘载两名男航天员，与天宫二号完成对接，并在太空驻留30天。今年的载人航天任务将进入应用发展新阶段，在天宫二号上进行多项实验。

　　“在完成和神舟十一号飞船的交会对接和空间科学实验后，天宫二号还将在2017年上半年验证天舟一号货运飞船的对接和资源补给技术。”周建平说。

　　植物生长实验：水稻和拟南芥

　　周建平表示，今年下半年发射升空的天宫二号空间实验室，将开展包括植物生长全周期实验在内的多项科学实验。

　　“未来太空探索需要人类长期在太空生活。为了探索太空闭环生态系统技术，天宫二号将进行‘从种子到种子’的植物全生育发展过程实验。目前，计划种植水稻、拟南芥两种植物，考察长日照和短日照的不同生长情况。”周建平说。

　　中国创举：从天宫分发量子密钥

　　“空间实验室任务的各次飞行都安排了多项空间科学实验和技术试验项目。”周建平介绍，例如天地量子密钥传输试验、激光通信试验等，在信息安全领域有着广泛的应用前景。

　　这些项目中，大多是当前世界最前沿的探索领域。比如，空间冷原子钟的实验。天宫二号将搭载全球第一台冷原子钟，利用太空微重力条件，稳定度高达10的负16次方。超高精度的原子钟是卫星导航等领域的关键核心技术。再比如三维成像微波高度计，能够在一个宽幅的三维海平面测量中，得到精度优于5厘米的测量结果，将海浪高低测量出来……

　　“中国一直本着和平开发利用太空的原则，欢迎并致力于国际合作。”周建平说，天宫二号将搭载中国科学院与瑞士日内瓦大学联合研制的伽马暴探测设备。这台设备比过去国际上类似仪器的探测效率高数十倍。中欧科学家将一起测量宇宙的伽马暴射线和散射状态，从而研究揭示宇宙结构、起源、演化的一些问题。

　　除此之外，天宫二号还将开展材料制备试验，研究纳米复合光学材料、高性能热电转换材料、高性能合金材料等。

　　长征七号首飞：搭载新一代载人飞船返回舱

　　我国无毒低污染新一代中型运载火箭长征七号将于今年6月首飞。它将搭载一个新型缩小比例的飞船返回舱，这是我国载人航天的创新探索项目。周建平表示，一次发射任务囊括试验火箭和飞船返回舱两个新品，这是我国载人航天工程勇于担当、节约高效、跨越发展理念的生动诠释。

　　长征七号运载火箭2017年将发射我国首款货运飞船天舟一号，它的研发成功标志着我国进入空间能力得到大幅提升，这将为我国从航天大国到航天强国添加精彩一笔。

(责任编辑：潘奕燃 UN657)
2016-03-08 17:34:20
澎湃