China joins spacewalk league Stephen Chen in Beijing Updated on Sep 28, 2008 A Chinese astronaut completed the country's first spacewalk yesterday, breaking a technological stranglehold that the United States and Russia had enjoyed for more than four decades. "I'm feeling quite well. Greetings to all the people of the nation and all the people of the world," said Colonel Zhai Zhigang as he floated out of the hatch of the space module at 4.41pm Beijing time, watched by millions on live television. Experts said the successful mission would pave the way for the construction of China's first space station and for manned missions to the moon. Chen Shanguang, director of the China Astronaut Centre, said on CCTV: "The entire manned programme is about quality. From astronaut training to spacesuits and spacecraft, we must have zero flaws. It is not a goal. It is a starting line." Wearing his Chinese-made Feitian spacesuit, Colonel Zhai - a 42-year-old fighter pilot - began to open the hatch at about 4.30pm. A stiff latch and hatch delayed his departure from the space module. After struggling for nearly 10 minutes, and with the help of his colleague Colonel Liu Boming, Colonel Zhai emerged from the hatch and into space, waving to the camera. The third crew member, Jing Haipeng, stayed inside to monitor the spacecraft's instruments. Despite a fire hazard warning on the instrument panel, the crew reacted calmly and proceeded with their assignments. Mission spokesman Wang Zhaoyao said later that the fire alert, which was heard during the live transmission, was a mistake in one of the spacecraft's sensors. "To be frank, at that very moment, many of us felt a little bit concerned," he said. Colonel Liu also briefly popped his head out of the orbital module to hand a Chinese national flag to Colonel Zhai, who waved it to the camera. Colonel Zhai then retrieved a test sample attached to the hull of the spacecraft and handed it to Colonel Liu, who remained in the cabin. Colonel Zhai drifted from one side of the hull to the other, his hands never leaving the handrail. The re-entry procedure, involving the closing and locking of the latch - operations that have proved difficult in previous spacewalks - went smoothly. The entire spacewalk lasted for 19 minutes, 35 seconds, Xinhua said. President Hu Jintao, who was present at Thursday's launch of the Shenzhou VII, watched at Beijing's ground control centre. "Your success represents a new breakthrough in our manned space programme," he told the astronauts in an exchange that was also broadcast live on television. Colonel Zhai replied: "The spacewalk mission has been accomplished smoothly. Please set your mind at ease, Chairman Hu and the people of China. In the vastness of space, I felt proud of our motherland." After the spacewalk, the astronauts released a football-sized monitoring satellite to circle the orbiter and send images back to mission control. The Shenzhou VII is scheduled to return to Earth at about 5.40pm today, said Deng Yibing, of the astronaut training centre.
Subtle differences between Chinese, Russian spacesuits Stephen Chen Updated on Sep 27, 2008 When astronauts Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming get into their spacesuits and drift side by side in the orbit module, it will be hard to tell one from the other.But there will be one small difference - the chest console on Colonel Zhai's Chinese-made Feitian spacesuit will have a slightly brighter display than the monitor on Colonel Liu's Russian Orlan suit. The Chinese suit's OLED, or organic light-emitting diode, should be slightly brighter in space than the Russian outfit's plain LED, a technology that also illuminates most computer displays. But apart from the technical difference, the two spacesuits used on the Shenzhou VII mission are more or less the same. The similarities include - but are not limited to - the size, location and function of the chest console, the waist console, the umbilical hose and the life-support backpack. Even the tethers that prevent spacewalkers from drifting away from the craft are tied in the same place - 25mm below the right hip. The Feitian's faceplate is said to be larger than the Orlan's, but a space-industry source said the difference would only be apparent from trying on the suits. The source said the resemblance reflected very close collaboration between China and Russia in space science and technology. The mainland space authorities said Russian experts had provided help throughout the mission. "But assistance always comes with a price, and few single items are more expensive than the spacesuit," the source said. "The official cost [of the Chinese suit] is 30 million yuan [HK$34.2 million], but it does not include the intellectual-property transfer. That is why there are different estimates ranging from 30 million to 120 million yuan. "We have paid to achieve a steep learning curve in the manned space programme." Expensive as they are, both suits will have to be dumped in space when the mission is over because the re-entry capsule is so cramped that even a spent life-support backpack is not a high re-entry priority. But the astronauts will bring back the two pairs of gloves, which, as basic as they look, are testament to the talent, hard work and pride of mainland space scientists. Liu Xiangyang, director of the spacesuit research department of the China Astronaut Centre in Beijing, told China International Radio that the Chinese spacesuit had surpassed the Russian version in several areas, one being in the gloves. "We make better knuckles," Dr Liu said. Astronauts "walk" in space mainly with their hands and they have to complete all kinds of sophisticated tasks with their arms. "The glove must be very responsive and flexible, but a certain thickness must be maintained at the same time to ensure they are airtight and insulated. It is contradictory in terms of material science and engineering." Dr Liu said researchers conducted countless experiments before coming up with gloves that were both secure and flexible. "The Chinese spacesuit is one of the most flexible in the world, and the astronaut can easily handle objects the size of a matchbox," he said. The Feitian can also collect more information about the environment and transfer data faster. But Dr Liu admitted that the Chinese suit was still far behind the world's best in one major area. "The biggest difference between the Chinese and Russian spacesuits is that our system only lasts four hours, while theirs goes for more than eight hours," he said. Orlan spacesuits have been used in hundreds of spacewalks by dozens of flight crews, including European and US astronauts. The space-activities count for the Feitian suit, so far, is zero.
A moment of anxiety, then orbiter door opens on new era in space Stephen Chen Updated on Sep 28, 2008 "Beijing. This is Shenzhou VII. Instrument panel indicates a fire hazard in the orbiter module. Please advise," Colonel Jing Haipeng reported from the re-entry capsule. The warning could not have come at a worse moment for Colonel Zhai Zhigang, who had just left the hatch and was drifting in the void with one hand on the handrail. But there was no turning back. Colonel Zhai continued to reach for an experimental sample attached to the spacecraft hull. Receiving the fire-hazard warning, Beijing immediately asked a tracking station to verify the issue. A few seconds later the tracking station reported that everything on board was fine and the warning was an instrument misreading. That was probably the only small hiccup during an otherwise smooth first spacewalk by Chinese astronauts. Things got off to a good start yesterday. Colonel Zhai and Colonel Liu Boming took half an hour to help each other into spacesuits. After confirming to the base that everything was fine, the module began to depressurise and they went through a series of tests to ensure that the suits were sealed and working properly. The orbiter module was the largest compartment in the spacecraft. But with two fully dressed astronauts, it became visibly cramped, with umbilical and safety tethers drifting and entangling in the air. At 4.34pm, Colonel Zhai started to open the hatch. The latch was a steel bar that required turning manually. Colonel Zhai first tried with his left hand. The bar moved about 30 degrees anti-clockwise, then stopped. He tried again, using all his strength and filling the voice loop with heavy breathing and panting. But the bar remained steadfast. He turned around and tried with his other hand; his breathing grew heavier. "[The latch is] very stiff and I have difficulty opening it," he reported to mission control. "Keep trying," came the answer. It took Colonel Zhai nearly five minutes to unlock the latch. But another problem occurred as he tried to pull the hatch inwards. He lost strength rapidly in the zero-gravity environment with lower-than-normal air pressure in the spacesuit. He could not open it. He managed to make a crack through which some refuse shot out into the void, but he could not get it fully open. "Zero One, if you cannot open the hatch, let Zero Two do it," mission control said. Colonel Liu opened the hatch with ease. After 10 minutes of struggling, Colonel Zhai finally got his upper body out of the hatch. His golden faceplate turned to an external camera, his hand waving leisurely: "I am out of the cabin. [I am] feeling good. Shenzhou VII greets the Chinese people and the world." Then, after carefully locking two tethers onto a handrail, he exited the spacecraft, followed by Colonel Liu, who handed him a small national flag. Both waved to the camera as Colonel Zhai floated in space with his left hand on the handrail, his right hand waving the flag. Colonel Zhai released a lock attaching the sample to the spacecraft, and moved back to the hatch to hand the sample to Colonel Liu. Colonel Zhai then moved cautiously from one side of the hatch to the other, locking his tethers in place before each move. After about 20 minutes in space, ground control gave the return order, and Colonel Zhai returned to the cabin feet first and closed the hatch. Two hours later, the astronauts released a soccer-ball-sized monitoring satellite attached to the nose of the spaceship. It will send back the spaceship's first full video images.
Caution sets Chinese attempt apart from more casual Soviet and US adventures Stephen Chen Updated on Sep 28, 2008 China is the first country to perform its maiden spacewalk live on television, thanks to the scientific and technological advances in the past four decades. But the first Chinese spacewalk has demonstrated much less spontaneity than the first missions carried out by the former Soviet Union and the US astronauts, echoing what some experts said were "Chinese characteristics". Colonel Zhai Zhigang, typically for an officer of the People's Liberation Army, took every step under instructions from ground command. Throughout the mission, he stayed within a diameter of 50cm of the hatch of the space module and lingered for no more than a second after receiving the order to return. Even in his conversation with President Hu Jintao later, he seemed to be reading from a script. Contrary to the near perfection of the first Chinese spacewalk, the first attempts by the Soviet Union and the United States were full of uncertainties. Russian astronaut Alexei Leonov, the world's first spacewalker, described his historic endeavour as a monumental but also harrowing experience, according to the Nasa History Office. As soon as Colonel Leonov got out of the spacecraft, he found his spacesuit had become inflated. He could not move around easily and he could not even reach the camera on his chest. When he returned, he violated his orders from mission command and entered the hatch head first, causing him to get stuck midway. He had to release some of the air in his spacesuit to eventually return to the cabin. When he was out of the spacesuit, he had sweated profusely and found himself almost on the verge of a heart attack. Edward White, the first American spacewalker, also ignored ground command's caution and drifted more than 20 metres from the spacecraft. He also intentionally threw away his heat resistant gloves and the sun visor on his face plate. And he asked to stay longer in space, saying that his spacewalk was the most comfortable experience of his entire mission.
New re-entry capsule may have a flaw Stephen Chen Updated on Sep 24, 2008 In the third of a series ahead of the space launch this week, Stephen Chen looks at the Shenzhou VII spacecraft. The Shenzhou VII spacecraft is the most advanced model in the Shenzhou series, but there are question marks over the aerodynamics of its re-entry capsule. The revelation follows a series of accidents on Russian missions in the past few months, a leading mainland space scientist said. China Institute of Aerodynamics senior researcher Jia Quyao said the spacecraft, which was based on a Soviet design, underwent significant changes. "What the Fifth Institute [of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation] has been doing is an important upgrade that will really test the latest technology," Professor Jia said. The changes were made to enable this mission's spacewalk and to accommodate three astronauts, the biggest Shenzhou crew so far. Most of the upgrades have been to the orbiting section, with a new buffer zone separating the main section, where astronauts work and live and from space. Professor Jia said he could not elaborate about the changes because of confidentiality, but said the public should be able to see the new exterior during the live broadcast of the spacewalk. "A few interesting parts have been added to the surface so that the astronaut will have something to hold onto when he manoeuvres around in space," he said. But Professor Jia said the big concern of scientists was the re-entry capsule, whose design was the same as that of previous models. "It is a tested technology, but everyone will hold their breath as the capsule plunges back to Earth," he said. "The aerodynamics of the Chinese return vehicle borrows more from the Soviets than the Americans. The Chinese model is thicker at the bottom, looking like a bowl; the Americans' was thinner and flatter, more like a plate. "A highly unstable aerodynamic phenomenon occurs when the spacecraft enters the atmosphere and its speed slows to close to that of sound - a zone between Mach 0.6 and 1.4." The steep angle of re-entry, the blunt capsule body and the airflow at speeds around Mach 1 have sometimes caused big problems. The latest accident happened in April as a Russian spacecraft carried a South Korean astronaut back to Earth. The shock was so extreme that the astronaut was badly hurt and she had to remain in Russia for treatment. "We know that the Russians have had two other similar problems in the last 11 re-entries, which is an extremely high frequency, bearing in mind that the Chinese have completed only two manned missions," Professor Jia said. "The Russians did not give us details about the two other accidents, and we don't know for sure how much of it is brought on by aerodynamics. But Chinese scientists are extremely concerned about the issue and will be on guard during the Shenzhou VII mission." The spacecraft will be lugging at least 300kg more into space than the last flight, Xinhua reported. The extra weight includes two full-sized spacesuits - one bought from the Russians and one made in China, each costing more than 30 million yuan (HK$34.25 million). Each suit weighs 120kg. Added to that will be the three male astronauts, food and drink and enough oxygen to last a week, as well as a microsatellite. It will be released as a floating camera to photograph - or broadcast live, say some sources - the activities as the astronauts complete their projects in space. The extra crew and additional activities will mean a heavier burden on the life support system. Peking University space researcher Jiao Weixin told The Beijing News that unlike previous Shenzhou missions, the orbiting module would not stay in space to become an automated laboratory, more room would be needed for spacewalk equipment.
Next Shenzhou rocket will be mass produced, reveals designer Agence France-Presse Updated on Sep 27, 2008 Mass production of the Shenzhou spacecraft will start soon, state media said yesterday, a day after launching China's third manned space mission Mass production will begin of the Shenzhou VIII, the next model after the Shenzhou VII which was sent into orbit late on Thursday, Xinhua said, citing Zhang Bainan, the system's chief designer. The mass-produced model would serve as a shuttle between a planned space station and Earth, and it may also transport astronauts and cargo for other countries, Xinhua said. Ground tests have already begun on a Shenzhou VIII prototype, Xinhua quoted Mr Zhang as saying, but there was no mention of how many would actually be made. Shenzhou VII blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the mainland's northwest, with three astronauts on board. One astronaut, Zhai Zhigang , will attempt a spacewalk, considered a key step towards enabling China to build its own space station. Each generation of the Shenzhou craft marks a significant upgrade from the previous one. Shenzhou VII features 220 technical modifications compared with Shenzhou VI, launched in 2005, China Daily said. Thursday's launch was considered an important symbol of the mainland's emergence as a space power.
Rare commendation for Russia's role Raymond Li Updated on Sep 25, 2008 Mainland space officials have taken the rare step of commending Russia for its role in the Shenzhou VII mission. The deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, Wang Zhaoyao, said Russia's help would have mutual benefits and the success of the mission would create favourable conditions for further co-operation. Russian company NPP Zvezda delivered nine sets of spacesuits including three "Sea Eagle" EVA (extravehicular activity) suits and two for training under a contract in April 2004. Mr Wang said Russian specialists would also provide technical support throughout the Shenzhou VII's landmark EVA endeavours. He said two of the three Chinese astronauts preparing for the space walk would don Russian and Chinese spacesuits respectively. One of them will go for a space walk outside the spacecraft while the other will operate in a depressurised section of the module as his back-up. The third will remain inside the re-entry capsule maintaining spacecraft altitude. The space walk is slated to take place tomorrow afternoon, but scientists have yet to decide how long the whole mission will last. China's leaders and space officials have emphasised the indigenous nature of the Chinese space programme, and the Shenzhou programme in particular. Unlike the reusable shuttles operated by the United States, China's manned space programme is thought to have drawn much of its inspiration from Russia's approach of having a single-use space vehicle for each mission, raising questions about whether the missions are a sign of the country's rising technological prowess or merely an indicator of its ability to adapt Russian technology. But the co-operation between China and Russia during this mission may rattle the US, given that an alliance between resource-rich Russia - for decades the space rival of the United States - and rising world power China has already caused some stirrings of unease in the west. However, both China and Russia have sought to play down the significance of their joint space technology efforts by acknowledging the international ownership of space and significance of wider co-operation. During an interview on China Central Television yesterday, veteran Russian cosmonaut Anatoly Yakovlevich Solovyev said: "No matter how rich one country can be, as is the United States, it cannot develop the universe on its own, but to foster co-operation from all countries."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwoI0h_z84o&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhjnT8Oqhjk&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvz0GZPNIF0&feature=related
I think most Malaysians would think this is taking "Malaysia Boleh" a bit too far. At least in its early days, China's Mao Zedong had a sense of humour when he said that China was good for nothing for not being able to send even a potato into space.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenzhou_7 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March_2F http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March_5_rocket_family http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDE7b1h4vb4
I was frankly quite astonished to see how young some of the Chinese director, chief designer, commander-in-chief, and other space personnel were when they appeared on tv to answer questions for the press.
Comparison of Existing Heavy Launch Vehicles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_heavy_lift_launch_systems
Comparison of Mid-Heavy launch Vehicles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_mid-heavy_lift_launch_systems
Yeah, they are very young. I guess there is plenty of room to grow in the aerospace area on the Mainland.
Tsien, the father of Mainland liquid and solid propellant rockets, is what TSF is to Mainland badminton. The guy is still alive but in poor health. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsien_Hsue-shen
Five Parts CCTV Documentary on Professor Tsien http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC1Zv2pKrVo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fzysJ8LZDQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR-hIq0p7uo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ7CZtr-DEw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKXjsL9KCUw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUQy02yegRA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3_2nJDmljo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPi-JlsVnO4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb0VFph4tf4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp-1K84iV6Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl1xHf2m9fw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQR6hwhQKzU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itiddb2lzt0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS2Ztt-CnkU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvTKFK_H84s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct6-TIxw8mc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0qYgdVJlYE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCEPEotEm0o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbroxD799UY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qQ34jUkRuo
just my rant but i dont see the value of doing spacewalk and future moon walk when the billions of $ can be use beat Japan and US to perfecting the electric car. It would help billions of people and make billions $ at the same time. Alot of spacewalk scientific data are public or easy to obtain now already, why spend the money to collect known data?
