The launch vehicle was extremely fast, sending the carrier capsule into the weak gravity zone of the exosphere in just about ten minutes. However, the rest of the journey was completely left to the four magnetic plasma engines of the carrier capsule, which took nearly
It takes two hours to approach the "Buzhou Mountain" Skyport, which is about 800 kilometers above the ground.
The carrier module is still 11,482 kilometers away from the space port. This is almost an extremely far distance within the ionosphere, equivalent to two-thirds of the distance between the east and west ends of Eurasia, and twice the east-west or north-south distance of China.
But in outer space, this distance is almost nothing.
In low Earth orbit, which is 322 kilometers to 483 kilometers above the earth's surface, any space debris can cross such a long distance in about one-fifth of a second.
This distance is completely within the careful calculations of experts from the China Space Administration. It is a very safe distance for the "Buzhoushan" skyport, and it is also the distance that the carrier module can approach at the most appropriate time.
"The distance is 30 kilometers. The remote control and automatic driving systems are switched to auxiliary control. Lieutenant Colonel Meng Yinan, please start the docking process. 'Buzhou Mountain', please prepare to capture."
The liaison personnel in the lobby of the ground command center announced the operation to enter the next process.
Lin Mo was already at the back of the command center hall at this time, feeling a little nervous as he watched the two light spots representing the carrier module and the "Buzhou Mountain" skyport slowly approaching each other in the simulated three-dimensional space graphics.
As a former astronaut candidate, Lin Mo knows that docking in outer space is a very troublesome matter, which is far more difficult than aerial refueling of fighter jets.
Not to mention that the two parties, both in motion, are at least 46 times faster than the fighter jet and the tanker (the speed of the air and sky port is 7900 meters per second/first universe speed, and the speed of the tanker is 170 meters per second/612 kilometers per hour). If they cannot be completely matched,
Butt hatch, poor air sealing effect will lose a lot of precious air.
In outer space, air is even more important than life. Not only do astronauts need it to maintain their lives, but systems such as electronic equipment in the cabin also need it to cooperate with convection to dissipate heat.
If an accident occurs, I am afraid that China's "Buzhou Mountain" plan may also be in vain. Therefore, every docking is a task full of high risks and high precision.
It may even take more than ten hours to complete the docking. Of course, for the survival material reserves of the carrier module, a delay of more than ten hours will mean that the astronauts in the capsule will be in danger.
"Meng Yinan received it!"
"Wang Xuejun received it!"
As astronauts in the same period, the superiors arranged this arrangement taking into account the tacit understanding between the two astronauts. This kind of drill has been carried out many times.
Meng Yinan reached out and grabbed the control panel and joystick. As he had trained at least a hundred times, he maneuvered the carrier cabin and began to cautiously approach the "Buzhou Mountain" skyport.
A slight difference can lead to a loss of a thousand miles. This idiom will become a true portrayal in outer space.
The boss was watching from the ground, and he must perform perfectly. Meng Yinan silently encouraged himself in his heart.
"Come on! 'Tabby Cat'!"
Lin Mo stared at the big screen and seemed to be talking to the boy who was concentrating on the operation on the screen.
For some unknown reason, the communication staff conveyed Lin Mo's words in a timely manner.
"Yes! Boss!"
Hearing the old voice in his ear, Meng Yinan's face did not change at all, as if he had not heard it, but his eyes became more determined as if he had a backbone.
It was as if the boss was instructing him in aerial combat skills. With constant guidance and encouragement, he would be able to succeed in one go.
".,."
".,."
".,."
In front of the docking console of the "Buzhoushan" Sky and Sky Port, Wang Xueping is constantly reporting the numbers, which means that the speeds of both parties are slowly becoming the same, and the carrier module is already very close to the Sky and Sky Port. It has begun to enter the same direction docking corridor.
.
Wang Xuejun operated the control panel gently with both hands. As an excellent fighter pilot, he also had extremely sharp and stable hands.
On the berth of the Skyport, a robotic arm about thirty meters long automatically stretched out and was carefully grabbing the carrier cabin.
There was silence in the skyport, the carrier cabin and the command center. Only slight breathing could be heard. At this time, no one dared to be careless.
"The engine has been shut down and the carrier cabin is ready! The distance is 10 meters. The relative speed. The speed difference is 0. Sine 13.3 degrees..."
Meng Yinan started the final count. The speeds of both sides had almost reached the same level. The carrier cabin had entered the final step of operation. The rest was up to Wang Xueping.
"Open the magnetic field and start capturing!"
Wang Xueping, who had also practiced it hundreds of times, accurately and stably controlled the robotic arm to open three four-section claws to grab the carrier cabin. The special device located in the center of the claws was releasing a magnetic gravitational field, calibrating the angle bit by bit.
"Capture completed! Hard connection completed!"
Before Wang Xueping finished speaking, the entire space port and the carrier cabin shook almost imperceptibly. The mechanical arm on the berth had firmly grasped the carrier cabin into its claws and could no longer break free.
This is only a small carrier capsule. If it is a large space shuttle, more robotic arms may be needed to assist in the capture.
A faint blue light lit up in some corners of the "Buzhou Mountain" Kongtian Port, flickered for a moment, and then went out again.
"The 'Buzhou Mountain' balance system begins to compensate and coordinate, and the coordination is completed."
In the attitude control module of the space port, the voices of other astronauts were heard. Although the capture was completed, the space port still suffered very little kinetic energy.
If precise coordinated compensation is not carried out, as time goes by, "Buzhou Mountain" will gradually move away from its original position and speed, and may even fall into the atmosphere.
This very short adjustment also included the carrier compartment on the robotic arm.
"Start docking! Release the robotic arm."
At this moment, it was completely Wang Xuejun's home field, controlling the robotic arm to align the door of the carrier cabin with the berth door of the skyport.
The robotic arm moved slightly, and the three four-jointed claws arranged at 120 degrees released the carrier cabin extremely lightly.
The initial operation of the air and space port also relies on a large amount of manual operations, which will provide the Chinese aerospace department with a large amount of actual reference data to facilitate future automation upgrades.
The docking stations of both sides were lit up with lights. The attitude change of the carrier cabin was completely controlled by the berth door. The invisible magnetic beam was slowly adjusting the distance and entry position of the two sides.
Snap, a soft sound!
"The first step is to complete the locking of the lock port. The second step is to complete the calibration lock. The third step is to insert the data connection and complete the system docking. The fourth step is to start the airtight seal. The fifth step is to safety check.
Six steps, adjust the cabin pressure...the air tightness is stable and entry is allowed."
After at least twenty-four steps, the carrier module and the skyport were officially docked.
After detaching from the launch vehicle's shroud, the carrier capsule has always started with a magnetic plasma engine. This does not mean that it does not have a conventional rocket propulsion engine. After manned launches began, the first few batches of manned carrier capsules launched were
Equipped with solid rocket engines and magnetic plasma engines, if nothing goes wrong, once these carrier capsules are docked with the space port, they will never return to the earth. They will serve as the escape capsules of the space port and will always be fixed at these berths.
superior.
In the event of an accident, these carrier capsules will become the escape and return capsules for the astronauts in the space port.
Although there are only four astronauts in the carrier capsule for each launch, these capsules used for emergency escape are actually designed to carry 12 people and can carry 12 astronauts safely through the atmosphere and return to Earth.
"Boss, I succeeded! Haha!"
Meng Yinan made a V-sign at the camera in the carrier cabin, took the lead in grabbing the cabin arm and floated into the docking channel, and successfully entered the "Buzhou Mountain" skyport.
At this time, warm applause and cheers erupted in the command center hall of Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Every successful launch is a challenge and an affirmation of the launch center's business quality.
The docking was successfully completed in one go. This achievement is completely worthy of the pride of the Chinese aerospace people. It will mean that more astronauts can successfully enter the space port.
"Start importing goods now!"
The joy was short-lived, and the command center became busy again. Although only 4 astronauts were sent up from the carrier cabin rated to carry 12 people, it does not mean that the carrier capacity was also wasted. Food, water and other important life support supplies
It has always been the top priority in launch missions.
Several thick packages that looked like punching bags were delivered through the docking hatch.
"I have to go now!"
Lin Mo nodded toward Wei Yunyi with a faint smile, and he was completely relieved about Meng Yinan.
After the "Buzhou Mountain" sky and sky port was connected, Meng Yinan officially became a member of the sky and sky port. As an outsider, Lin Mo no longer had the need to stay here.
He was very satisfied with the launch this time. The simulated training and the real launch were indeed a little different.
"Okay, let me give it to you!"
Wei Yunyi nodded slightly and naturally understood what Lin Mo meant.
Rather than being asked out later, it is better to leave on your own initiative. It is a great honor for the space agency to do this.
The two turned around and just left. On the big screen in the command center hall, an astronaut took out the same octagonal metal box from the package bag that was delivered. Its edges and corners were wrapped with buffer rubber, and the metal surface in the middle was
, clearly engraved with a line of laser-etched letters: "searl-effectgenerator".
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