Of course, this return and landing is not straight up and down. It is actually a descending spiral method. The spacecraft lowers its flight altitude little by little and finally enters the atmosphere.
Therefore, even if the spacecraft enters the return orbit, it will take a long time. During this process, except when it enters the black barrier and is disconnected from ground communications, communications are unobstructed at other times.
Even for astronauts, except for the obvious feeling during the period after returning to the atmosphere, there is actually no specific feeling during the entire space phase.
It's just that the astronaut's psychology will give him a hint that he will be a little nervous.
During the entire return and landing process, although the spacecraft is controlled and operated independently, astronauts also need to pay close attention to various data information of the spacecraft to ensure that all action procedures are started normally. They should also be ready to manually start the system program in time after it fails, or
Make some remedial measures and so on.
Although the chance of this happening is very small, it will be a big deal if it happens, so you have to make preparations in this regard. After all, safety is no small matter.
The speed of the spacecraft was decreasing rapidly. Looking at the trajectory and altitude data of the spacecraft on the big screen, Zhang Jun and the others couldn't help but focus.
Although three unmanned experimental spacecraft have been successfully launched and returned safely, everyone here is a little nervous and worried about the first manned launch and return landing.
The spacecraft entered the sky above the predetermined area, and the return capsule separation procedure was started. The countdown was, nineteen eighty-seven...three, two, one. The separation of the return capsule and the propulsion return service module was completed.
Ka'ler reported that the infrared optical radar showed that the return capsule and the propulsion service module were successfully separated, and the return capsule was about to enter the atmosphere."
"good!"
After hearing the announcement on the radio, everyone who had stayed up until dawn finally cheered up again amid a burst of cheers and applause.
The optical radar on the big screen showed that the spacecraft's return capsule had entered the atmosphere dragging a long tail flame, like a brilliant pop of light streaking across the sky.
"The return capsule begins to enter the 'black barrier'."
Entering the 'black barrier' means that the return capsule will be interrupted from the information and data written in the ground remote control. Although the return capsule can be tracked through optical radar, no one knows how.
So now everyone can only wait, waiting for the return capsule to break through the black barrier and re-establish data and information links with the ground.
"Jiuchi reports that the infrared optical radar tracking is normal, the telemetry signal is normal, and the flight attitude of the return capsule is normal."
"Attention all units, we will begin to inform you that the first landing site is estimated to be 111 degrees XX minutes XX seconds east longitude and 41 degrees XX minutes XX seconds north latitude."
"The ground search team received that the No. 1, 2, and 3 crews began to maneuver toward the predicted landing site according to the predetermined plan."
"Car crew No. 1 received it!"
"Coach No. 2 received it!"
"Coach No. 3 received it!"
Through the monitoring systems scattered everywhere, Wu Hao and the others were able to intuitively obtain the real-time picture and sound instructions of each scene through various large screens in the Xinyuehu Command and Control Center.
On the big screen, I saw that the search convoy composed of off-road vehicles had begun to set off and maneuver towards the predicted landing site. On the satellite map of the landing site, the location coordinates of each search vehicle group and their progress could be clearly seen.
direction, and the estimated landing area fed back by the landing site measurement and control center.
By hovering the high-altitude drone over the landing field, you can also see the ground conditions of the entire landing field, including the progress of each convoy, etc.
However, the sky is not completely bright yet, and the sky in the distance has already turned white, and the fleets are speeding across the vast grassland with their headlights on.
At the airport, several helicopters are ready, and the staff are making final preparations. As soon as the light allows, they will begin to take off. Although these helicopters can also take off and land at night, the risk is too high.
And during the early search process, the drone will take on all the work. Therefore, the helicopter's job is only to carry the relevant search and rescue recovery team members, as well as some on-site situation handling support personnel to rush to the scene as soon as possible after the return capsule lands.
Seeing that the spacecraft had passed through the black barrier and the communication signal returned to normal, the Xinyuehu Space Command and Control Center immediately started calling.
Walker 4, can you receive it?
Xinyuehu, received by Traveler No. 4.
Traveler 4, report the situation inside the cabin.
According to the report, the conditions in the cabin are normal, the instruments and equipment are operating normally, each system is operating normally, and the warehouse walls are normal.
Xinyuehu received it, Walker 4, and paid close attention to the equipment in the cabin.
Although through remote monitoring, the Xinyuehu Space Command and Control Center can also detect these data information. However, in order to avoid data errors, astronauts still need to confirm it in person.
In fact, this process does not need to be so tense, nor does it need to be confirmed. If there is any abnormality, the astronauts will report it immediately. However, this is the first time for a manned spacecraft to return and land, so it seems a little nervous and cautious.
This is also good, as it also ensures the safety of return and landing.
"Attention all units, the second landing site is estimated to be 111 degrees XX minutes XX seconds east longitude and 41 degrees XX minutes XX seconds north latitude."
"Each vehicle crew adjusted their route and headed for the new estimated landing site."
On the big screen, you can see that on a command vehicle, Yu Chengwu is sitting and observing. Professional things are left to professional people. At this moment, Yu Chengwu does not make a sound to affect or disturb other people's work. This is the entire landing search and rescue work.
maximum support.
The landing site telemetry center reported that the infrared optical radar successfully captured the spacecraft's return capsule. The return capsule was in complete shape and its flight attitude was normal.
Bang bang bang bang...
There was a burst of warm applause in the Xinyuehu Space Command and Control Center, because this meant that the spacecraft's return capsule had successfully broken through the thermosphere.
However, after the applause fell, everyone became nervous again. Because the most critical moment came next. Whether the main parachute on the spacecraft can be opened depends on whether the return and landing mission can be successful.
This is also the most important structure on the return capsule, and can be said to be the key to the safe landing of the spacecraft.
If the main parachute cannot be opened, then the return capsule will carry the astronauts to a hard landing in free fall, hitting the ground from such a high distance at such a fast speed, and the consequences can be imagined.
The main parachute group on the Walker 4 return capsule is different from the large single parachute on traditional manned spacecraft, but uses a parachute group composed of three parachutes.
Compared with a single parachute, this multi-parachute parachute group has higher stability. It has strong resistance to airflow and will not cause the entire return capsule to dangle and sway due to the influence of airflow in the sky.
Although it has so many advantages, because its structure is more complex, it is more difficult to deploy than a single parachute, and its reliability is worse than that of a single parachute.
So at this moment, everyone abandons concentration and waits for this critical moment to arrive.