Shenzhou-18 Crew Update: Research, Maintenance & Training | China Space Station
The Shenzhou-18 crew members on board China's orbiting Tiangong space station have been performing a variety of tasks, including scientific experiments as well as regular maintenance and training, as showed in videos released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
The crew conducted research on the impact of long-duration manned space missions on astronauts' operational performance in the Tiangong space station. The projects selected were based on the characteristics of long-duration in-orbit space station missions, alongside other tasks, for instance in-orbit training and experiments.
After completing each project, each astronaut filled out reports detailing the operation time and scales to record their fatigue levels and to assess their workload. Subsequently, researchers on the ground collected and analyzed the astronauts' in-orbit operational performance data to preliminarily grasp the characteristics and patterns of changes in astronauts' operational skills during space missions.
Of course, the China space station is a national space laboratory. Experiments in areas, such as space materials science, fluid dynamics in microgravity, and combustion science, are being carried out. The crew has regularly replaced experiment samples as part of these experiments.
Meanwhile, in close coordination with researchers on the ground, the three astronauts successfully completed the return of external payloads using the automatic payload ingress and egress function.
Additionally, the crew conducted personal noise exposure measurements and acoustic testing to assess and improve the acoustic environment within the space station.
Tasks related to equipment inspection and maintenance, including the transfer of a pre-cooling device for biological experiment samples, have been carried out in the space station as well.
The pre-cooling device, resembling a small refrigeration unit, ensures that the samples remain "fresh" throughout the return journey to Earth.
The astronauts also routinely conducted system-wide pressure emergency drills to strengthen and further enhance their emergency response capabilities and their ability to coordinate between space and ground.
One of the drills simulated the process of three astronauts responding to an internal depressurization scenario within the space station.
Last week, the crew conducted in-orbit medical aid training. This included further familiarizing themselves with equipment locations, reviewing usage methods, and reinforcing operational procedures and skills, helping them become accustomed to rescue operations in a microgravity environment.
In terms of health maintenance, the three astronauts have performed activities involving eye pressure and fundus examinations, as well as neuromuscular stimulation, to monitor and maintain their physical condition.
Furthermore, the crew frequently completed other crucial tasks, like cleaning, arranging supplies, plus garbage transfer and storage to maintain a clean environment inside the space station.
On April 25, 2024, China launched the Shenzhou-18 crewed spacecraft, carrying three astronauts—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—to the space station for a six-month mission.
Shenzhou-18 Crew:
Ye Guangfu (叶光富, commander)
Li Cong (李聪, mission specialist)
Li Guangsu (李广苏, mission specialist)
Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 2 minutes
Release Date: Sept. 15, 2024
No comments:
Post a Comment