The Shenzhou-9 is in orbit with three astronauts

Science and techno world topic: Space

With the accuracy required for a meeting with the space station Tiangon-1, China promptly sent into space on June 16 three astronauts. The spacecraft Shenzhou-9 departed from Jiuquan at 10:37 UTC, aboard a CZ-2F / G, Jing Haipeng, who had flown in the Shenzhou-7 (the last manned mission), Liu Wang, who debuts on this flight, and Liu Yang, China's first woman astronaut. 

The rocket was taken to the drop zone, after months of preparation, on 9 June. By then, it was not yet the exact release date, or even what would the spacecraft crew. The station Tiangong-1 had fallen slightly in its orbit, so that the game should be imminent. Finally, on Friday June 15th officially became known components of the crew, and the date and exact time of launch. 

As for the details of the mission, they were also held in secret during the previous days. Only knew that Chinese astronauts would join the Tiangong, maneuver and practiced by the SZ-8 automatically, and would an undetermined number of days on board. 

During the launch day the authorities stated that in fact the SZ-9 would be coupled to the orbiting complex, the first automatically. Then two of the astronauts would enter the station, leaving the capsule in a case of emergency. If all went well, would a few hours in the Tiangong, and then be cut off from its home port to re-engage, this time manually. It is expected that after that astronauts spend at least another four or five days on board, conducting experiments and checking the operation of your new home. The mission should last about two weeks total. 

Photo:The Shenzhou launch

The launch took place without problems, and could be followed in detail by multiple cameras installed on board. The lighting was greeted by the crew of a martial, and the rest of the climb took place without incident, mixed with greetings of astronauts led to Earth. Once in orbit, after the separation of emergency tower, the four accelerators, the first and second stages, the SZ-9 separated from the rocket and minutes later successfully extended its solar panels. 

On 18 June, the SZ-8 was exposed to the station and made a perfect approach automatically. The final maneuver began some 50 km away, and lasted until 20. Then there were small additional approaches, with brief stops to determine that all was going well. The last was about 140 m away. Under the supervision of the astronauts, the vehicle slowly approached and docked to the docking port of the Tiangong-1 at 6:07 UTC. Thanks to the good alignment, the connection was secured quickly, in less than 15 minutes. This resulted start checking the safety of contact, pressurization, etc. 

With everything ready, the entry of two astronauts to the station was scheduled for about two hours after docking. Although it is likely that their roles are changed during the mission, there will be two crew in the Tiangong-1 and one in the Shenzhou-9, even at night. After opening the hatch and proven good quality of the atmosphere of the station Commander Jing Haipeng was the first to enter it, followed by Wang Liu Both entered consecutively into at 09:05 UTC. Liu Yang should do the same several hours later, but was allowed to look through the hatch shortly thereafter and finally joined his teammates much earlier than expected, at about 9:25 UTC. The entry of the astronauts, of course celebrated with applause. Then astronauts reviewed the module and set off some of their systems as the central computer and communications.

Within the complex, visitors will debut some of the systems that are necessary for the long life of people in orbit, such as water recycling, air purification, cleaning, etc.. As for supplies, some 300 kg were transported aboard SZ-9 itself. The astronauts also used medical equipment and installed on the Tiangong exercises to perform physiological experiments. 

Now here is a brief biographical sketch of the three astronauts: 

-Jing Haipeng: Born October 24, 1966 in China's Shanxi Province, has 45 years hence. He was selected in the first group of astronauts China Space Agency (CNSA) in 1998. He is a pilot with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force People's Liberation Army (FAEPL) and member of People's Liberation Army (PLA) since June 1985. He graduated from military school of pilots in 1990 and has 1,200 flying hours under his belt. He was booking the flight of the Shenzhou-6 in October 2005 and flew into space on September 25, 2008 aboard the Shenzhou-7 mission which lasted 2.85 days. It has become astronaut number 481. 

-Liu Wang: Born in March 1969 in China's Shanxi province, is 43. Second class is Pilot Air Force People's Liberation Army (FAEPL) with an age of 6 years experience and 1,000 hours of flight. Selected astronaut in 1998 (first group), he was the youngest. She has performed in the space on this mission and has become the contact person 524 in Earth orbit. 

-Liu Yang: Born in the city of Zhengzhou, capital of the northern province of Henan in October 1978, has 33 years hence. She is married with one son, and Lieutenant of China and Air Force transport pilot with flying experience in four different aircraft types of 1,680 hours. She Was selected in March 2010 within the second group of Chinese astronauts. With this flight becomes the 56th woman to fly in space and the person 525 in it.