The Xi'an Satellite Observation and Control Center, the only
such institution in China, is gearing up for the expected launch of
Shenzhou VI this week.
On the assumption that Shenzhou VI will fly for more than one
day with more than one astronaut, the center conducted key research
projects to improve its two observation systems communication and
landing according to Chen Changgui, general engineer of the
center.
"During the flights of China's Shenzhou series spacecraft
before, the working status and reliability of our center's
observation-control communication system and the landing system
were fully tested, and we have made further improvements to the
software and hardware systems for Shenzhou VI," Chen said.
Compared with the experiments for Shenzhou I to Shenzhou V, the
overall technical performance of the observation-control
communications system has been considerably enhanced, which meets
the requirements of more people and more time for the second manned
space flight, Chen said.
Space observation and control experts regard the newly improved
technical system for Shenzhou VI highly, saying it has high
maneuverability, co-ordination and reliability. The new system
combines observation and control, communications, search and
rescue, recycling and meteorological safeguard systems.
"During the flight and return of Shenzhou VI, the forecasting
equipment and optical surveying station can solve the weather
forecast problem if the flight time of Shenzhou VI is lengthened,
and they can take photos of the spacecraft landing for research,"
the general engineer said.
Based in the capital of northwest China's Shaanxi
Province, the Xi'an Satellite Observation and Control Center
and its eight observations and control stations are equipped with
precise high-tech observation and control equipment to track
satellites and spacecraft.
On Monday morning, a rescue exercise was conducted in Yulin, a
city in northern Shaanxi that Shenzhou VI will fly over 70 to 430
seconds after launch, according to Tang Xuzhen, an official with
the Yulin municipal government.
"Yulin is the only emergency rescue spot within the boundaries
of Shaanxi," Tang said. "And we trained in everything from finding
the astronauts, carrying them in a helicopter and taking them to
hospital."
(China Daily October 11, 2005)
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