Shenzhou 5

 

Shenzhou-5, measures 9.2 meters and weighs 7,790 kilograms, and also consists of the orbit, re-entry and propulsion modules. Shenzhou-5 had an orbit module designed to remain in orbit for longer time for the conducting of scientific experiments). Shenzhou 5 is modeled after the Russian Soyuz capsule, launched by the Soviets roughly 36 years ago. However, Shenzhou 5 is claimed to have better life support and computer systems.

The re-entry capsule of Shenzhou-5, which went to and returned from the space between Oct. 15-16, was handed to the Chinese Research Institute of Space Technology on Friday. It was a 21-hour flight that covered 600,000 kilometres (372,000 miles). Yang began descending after he orbited 14 times around Earth.

Xie Mingbao, director of the China Manned Space Program's office said that another Shenzhou mission could be expected to be launched in 1-2 years time. After the successful launch, the spaceship was put under the monitoring by a global tracking network, including land-based command and control stations and sea-based tracking fleet, Xie said.

Xie revealed that China spent 18 billion yuan (2.17 billion US dollars) on its space program initiated in 1992, with each test prior to Shenzhou-5 costing less than one billion yuan (120 million US dollars. Reasons for going to space for China include prestige, military purposes (however, China is contradicting this), and space labotaries for scientific experiments (the conditions in space arehard to simulate on Earth)

Experts predict that China will go for a space station in 2008, and, in close contest with India, an unmanned mission to the moon in that year too.

Shenzhou “operation procedures” or whatever you want to call it

Shenzhou1 carried a test payload. Shenzhou2-4 carried complete ELINT(electronic intelligence) package mounted on the nose, which consisted of two payloads. Orbit modules are left orbiting like satellites long after the other modules returned. Info is released in 10-min bursts over Beijing. It can remain as long as 8 months after the other modules return.

UHF(ultra high frequency) emmision is used to find direction through 3 antennae pointed towards earth and deployed on long telescoping boons. The antennae function in the UHF band between 300 and 1000 Mhz and assisted by 7 horn antennae in an arc, which detect radar and make them local, allowing it range to expand to the entire earth below it.

Two cameras with an aperture of 500-600 mm are mounted at the nose of the craft and above the main hatch for imaging reconnaissance. These 2 CCD cameras are high-resolution and have a ground resolution of 1.6 m. this payload flew first on shenzhou5, which also has a docking system.

Experts infer that the biggest objective of the Shenzhous will be military reconnaissance. if flight pattern of shenzhou 3 and 4 are followed, future mission's crews will be asked to identify targets of interest and also to fly in controlled 331*337 orbits for 107 revolutions over 6.77 days.

Shenzhou-5 Chronology

  • January-March 2003: First details concerning the impending manned flight were leaked or officially stated. It was to occur by the end of the year. Hong Kong papers indicated the astronaut would be 'Chen Lang' (later confirmed to be Lin Qongling, one of the two astronauts trained in Russia in 1998-1999). A very specific official description was given of the military imaging reconnaissance system that would be flown on the spacecraft.
  • T-100 days: July 21, 2003: First reports on timing of the launch set the date as 'within 100 days' (by end October 2003)
  • T-60 days: August 15: Reports indicate that the mission will last a week, that three astronauts will be selected for the flight shortly before the launch, and that a single astronaut will be selected on the day of the launch
  • T-50 days: August 23: The CZ-2F booster was shipped from the factory to the launch site in Jiuquan. The Shenzhou-5 spacecraft was said to already be at Jiuquan by this date
  • T-30 Days: September 15: Reportedly the launch was set for October 10-15. Integration of the Shenzhou spacecraft and CZ-2F launch vehicle was reportedly going smoothly. However official sources indicated that safety was paramount and the launch date would be driven by safety considerations, not an absolute deadline.
  • T-25 days: September 20: The 14 astronauts started exercising in the real Shenzhou-5 spacecraft at the Jiuquan Launch Centre.
  • T-15 Days: September 29: First press reports that state that the entire Chinese astronaut team had arrived at Jiuquan in preparation for the flight.
  • T-10 Days: October 5: Reports say that the launch is set for October 15 at the earliest, and that the flight will be made by only one astronaut for a one day duration.
  • T-7 Days: October 8: Reports again say that the launch is set for October 15 at the earliest, and that the flight will be made by only one astronaut for only a single orbit of the earth. The only payload aboard the capsule will be 2200 g of seeds.
  • T-2 Days: October 13: Reports place the launch between October 15 and 17, and say it will be a 14-orbit, 21 hour flight. Hong Kong press sources repeat information released in January 2003, that Li Qinglong will be the first Chinese astronaut.
  • T-1 Day: October 14: Reports name three candidates for the launch. Yang Liwei will be the first Chinese citizen in space. He beat out the other two finalists - Zhai Zhigang, and Nie Haisheng. It is announced that the launch will not be televised live. The launch centre and tracking network conducted an exercise between 5 am and 8:30 am local time in preparation for the launch.
  • Lift-off: October 15, 2003, 01:00 GMT, 09:00 Beijing time: China's first manned spaceflight lifts off on into the clear blue sky on the first launch attempt.
  • 01:10 GMT - Shenzhou-5 enters initial 200 x 343 km orbit.
  • 01:40 GMT - "I feel good," Yang radios from the capsule, with a colour video feed. Loud applause in Mission Control in response.
  • 02:30 GMT - Yang begins first three-hour rest period.
  • 07:57 GMT - Shenzhou-5 circularises orbit to 343 km.
  • 09:30 GMT - Yang has communication session with General Cao Gangchuan, China's Defence Minister and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission.
  • 12:00 GMT - Yang has communication session with his wife and son. "It looks extremely splendid up here", he says. Live video is relayed from capsule and Yang again confirms to General Cao that he is feeling fine. "I will strive to complete my tasks well and ensure the full success of the mission," Yang intones. He displays the Chinese and United Nations flags to emphasize the peaceful nature of the mission.
  • 15:00 GMT - Yang begins second three-hour rest period.
  • 21:35 GMT - Command radioed to initiate re-entry.
  • 21:36 GMT - Orbital module separates and remains in 343 km circular orbit.
  • 21:38 GMT - Retrofire begins.
  • 21:59 GMT - Service module separates from re-entry capsule. It will burn-up and disintegrate as the re-entry module continues into the lower atmosphere.
  • 22:00 GMT - Re-entry capsule enters Chinese territory.
  • 22:04 GMT - Re-entry capsule enters communications blackout due to sheath of ionised air around the capsule.
  • 22:07 GMT - Re-entry capsule exits communications blackout. Recovery helicopters receive signal allowing them to estimate landing point.
  • 22:23 GMT - Re-entry capsule soft-lands 4.8 km from aim point and 7.5 km from recovery vehicles.
  • 22:28 GMT - Capsule sighted by rescue team. It is just 06:28 local time and the sun is just rising.
  • 22:36 GMT - Rescue team arrives at capsule.
  • 22:51 GMT - Yang exits from capsule and is mobbed by rescuers and press.
  • 23:40 GMT - After a medical examination, Yang enters a helicopter for the flight to Beijing.
As the spacecraft was in its 21st orbit, the orbital module separated. It would stay in the 343 km orbit for a planned six-month military imaging reconnaissance mission. Retrofire was commanded via a tracking ship in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa. Shenzhou-5 landed only 4.8 km from the aim-point in Inner Mongolia with the parachute being sighted by the ground recovery forces prior to landing. Yang landed after 21 hours 23 minutes aloft.

 

Pictures

Diagram, BBC

    


Shenzhou 1,2,3,4 and 5 (from left to right)