When Wenchang, Hainan ushered in the hottest season of the year, Tiangong also welcomed a special "gift". At 14:22 on July 24, Wenchang space launch site. Blue sea and blue sky, coconut breeze blowing. The long march 5B yao-3 carrier rocket carrying the China Space Station's sky inquiry experimental module successfully lifted off at Wenchang space launch site, and the module successfully entered the predetermined orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success. The Chinese are one step closer to building their own space station! After that, the Wentian experimental module will carry out forward docking with the Tianhe core module to complete the "one" configuration. This is the first time that the Chinese space station has welcomed the visit of a spacecraft in a manned state. (the Long March 5 B yao-3 carrier rocket carrying the Wentian experimental module was ignited and launched at Wenchang space launch site.) (simulation diagram of Wentian experimental module.) (the Long March 5 B yao-3 carrier rocket carrying the Wentian experimental module was successfully launched at Wenchang space launch site in China.) Moving the laboratory into space "is like moving a large scientific laboratory into space!" LV Congmin, deputy chief engineer of the space application system of the manned space engineering and researcher of the space application center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that as the first scientific experiment module of the Chinese space station and an important part of the national space laboratory, the space inquiry experiment module will provide a larger space for astronauts to work and live in orbit and a larger platform for space science research. "The Wentian experimental module focuses on the research of life science and biotechnology, and plans and deploys research topics in the fields of space life science and biotechnology, microgravity fluid physics, space material science, space application new technology experiment, etc. through the implementation of these scientific projects, we will pay attention to the growth and development of life and human health, and explore a series of scientific problems faced by human long-term survival in space." Lu Congmin said that the completion of the Tiangong space station with the basic configuration of Tianhe core module, Wentian experimental module and Mengtian experimental module will mean the completion of the national space laboratory and the conduct of long-term, multi field, large-scale space science and application research. It is reported that 2022 is the decisive year to complete the construction task of China's space station. The launch task of the space inquiry experimental module is a key battle connecting the preceding and the following, which is of great significance. The "zero window" launch mission was carried out for the first time. In this mission, a keyword was repeatedly mentioned - "zero window" launch. Liaoguorui, the commander of the launch mission 01 of the Wentian experimental module, told reporters that this is the first time that the long five series Rockets have carried out the "zero window" launch mission, and it is also the first time that the Wenchang launch site has carried out the "zero window" launch since it carried out the construction mission of the space station. What is "zero window" launch? "In general, the launch window of a mission often has multiple time periods. However, because the space inquiry experimental module of this launch will rendezvous and dock with the space and core module, the requirements for launch accuracy will be higher. It is required to launch with 'zero window', that is, the deviation between the rocket launch time and the scheduled ignition time cannot exceed 1 second." Liaoguorui explained that the difficulty of "zero window" is that the launch window is fleeting, which puts forward higher requirements for the reliability of the rocket and launch site system. Ignition on time is just the beginning, and precise orbit entry is the success. Liu Bing, the deputy chief designer of the fifth B rocket, the president of the rocket, introduced that the fifth B rocket also applied the takeoff time deviation correction technology. The maximum correction time is 2.5 minutes, that is, the rocket can be launched at any time point within the time period of 0 to 2.5 minutes. The rocket can automatically correct the flight deviation caused by the delayed launch during the flight process, and accurately put the experimental module into the predetermined orbit, "As a new generation of carrier rocket with the largest carrying capacity in low earth orbit in China, the chang-5b rocket is the best choice for launching the sky inquiry experimental module". After that, the Wentian experimental module adopts the autonomous rendezvous and docking mode. After completing the deployment of the solar wing in orbit and multiple orbit changes, it is docked to the forward docking interface of the Tianhe core module. Deng Xiaodong, chief designer of rendezvous and docking microwave radar of the 25th Institute of the second Academy of Aerospace Science and industry of China, said that the microwave radar developed by the 25th Institute completed power on self-test after the experimental module was put into orbit and confirmed that the product was in normal working condition. Then it was started up again at a distance of more than 100 kilometers between the Wentian experimental module and the Tianhe core module, and a stable link was quickly established with the microwave transponder installed on the forward facing interface of the Tianhe core module to ensure the stability and reliability of the whole docking process. "A big guy" "this is a big guy!" Liu Gang, deputy chief designer of the space station system of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and technology group, told reporters that the working cabin of the sky inquiry experimental module is by far the largest single sealed cabin in China and the second largest in the world. It is six stories tall and has the same volume and weight as a carriage of the Beijing Subway Line 13 train. What's the mystery inside "big guy"? "Compared with the Tianhe core module, the Wentian experimental module is taller and heavier, with stronger system functions, more sufficient energy security, better exit airlock and finer extravehicular operation. It is the heaviest single cabin active aircraft in orbit in the world." Liu Gang introduced. In addition, the space inquiry experimental module is also equipped with the same astronauts' living facilities as the space and core module, including 3 sleeping areas, 1 health area, kitchen and other facilities. After the completion of docking, the number of "beds" of the Chinese space station will be increased to 6, which will be more warm and comfortable. In addition to "internal", "external" also deserves attention. Liu Gang introduced that the Wentian experimental cabin is equipped with a pair of two degree of freedom flexible solar panels, which is the largest retractable flexible solar wing developed in China at present. The maximum length of a single wing in full deployment is 27 meters, which is enough to stop fourorfive family cars, and the deployment area can reach 110 square meters. Both the expansion area and power supply capacity of these "wings" are twice that of the solar wings of the Tianhe core module. The average daily power generation of the Wentian experimental module can provide sufficient energy for the operation of the space station, and it is enough for an ordinary family to use for a month and a half. "When operating in space, the solar panels of the Wentian experimental module can face the sun at the best angle, so as to avoid blocking the sun by other modules during flight." Yang Yuguang, vice chairman of the space Transport Committee of the International Astronautical Federation, said that adequate power supply is a very important guarantee for astronauts to carry out scientific research efficiently in space. A 5-meter-long small mechanical arm is equipped outside the airlock of the Wentian experimental module. This set of mechanical arm is small and high precision, with a maximum load capacity of 3 tons. Although the drag capacity is smaller than the large mechanical arm of the core cabin, it is convenient to grasp small and medium-sized equipment, and the operation is more dexterous. It can "crawl" between different segments of the entire space station, and jointly complete the tasks of astronauts' exit and care of extravehicular facilities. The "space mission group" welcomes the spacecraft in orbit. At present, the Shenzhou 14 astronauts are "on a mission" in space. With the successful launch of the sky inquiry experimental module, this is the first time that China's space station welcomes the visit of a spacecraft in a manned state. According to Yang Yuguang, in the future, it will also be normal for astronauts to greet spacecraft in orbit. After the Chinese space station, the astronauts will rotate in orbit, which means that astronauts need to meet the arrival of Tianzhou cargo spacecraft, Shenzhou manned spacecraft and other spacecraft in orbit. The astronauts of Shenzhou 14 will welcome the space inquiry experimental module in orbit, which will provide experience reference for subsequent missions. In particular, the space Survey Telescope planned to be launched next year also needs to be regularly docked to the space station for maintenance by astronauts. In addition, Wentian experimental module also needs to "part-time" the functional backup of Tianhe core module. It can not only ensure the long-term stay of astronauts in orbit, but also provide special airlock and emergency refuge to ensure the safety of astronauts. In order to improve the reliability of the space station and ensure the life safety of astronauts, the function backup of the sky inquiry experimental module is carried out. When the core module fails, it can be switched to the sky inquiry experimental module. The Wentian experimental module is also equipped with a new exit airlock, which is the main exit hatch for astronauts after the completion of the future space station. The hatch of the new airlock cabin is downward, which is more spacious and more convenient for astronauts to get out of the cabin. This also means that astronauts can "go to work" when they leave the "bedroom" when they work in the space laboratory module. (Xinhua News Agency)