Shenzhou 18 Astronauts' Experiments and Tasks in Space Station
TapTechNews May 18th news, according to CCTV.com, since entering the space station on April 26th, the crew of the Shenzhou 18 astronauts has successively carried out a series of space science experiments and recently completed a new round of extravehicular exposure experiments and maintenance of the containerless material experiment device and other works.
It is introduced that the samples in the extravehicular exposure experiment of materials are completely exposed to the complex environment such as the vacuum, microgravity, and high-energy particle radiation in the cosmic space, and the spatial temperature variation can reach more than 100 degrees Celsius above zero to more than 100 degrees Celsius below zero.
Through the exposure experiment, the mechanisms of material structure damage, performance degradation, and function failure and destruction can be revealed, promoting the space application of advanced materials such as materials for large space deployable mechanisms such as flexible solar wings, lubricating materials for space mechanisms, materials for building the lunar base, and neutron shielding materials for precision electronic equipment. Conducting in-orbit exposure experiments of space materials can improve the stability, reliability, and durability of materials and their products during space service.
In addition, the three astronauts also completed the work of sample replacement and axis mechanism maintenance in the experimental cavity of the containerless material experiment cabinet. Previously, a number of key research projects have been carried out in the containerless cabinet, and many batches of experimental samples have been downloaded and are being tested and analyzed in the laboratory to expect more research results.
Astronauts face a series of physiological challenges brought by the microgravity environment in space, including changes in the cardiovascular system, muscle atrophy, and decreased bone density. Since entering the orbit for more than 20 days, the crew has successively carried out various medical examination works such as mass measurement, intraocular pressure and fundus examination.
According to TapTechNews' previous report, the crew of the Shenzhou 18 manned flight mission is composed of three astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu. Ye Guangfu serves as the commander. The crew includes one astronaut from the second batch and two from the third batch, and all three are post-80s.
The crew of the Shenzhou 18 astronauts will stay at the space station for about 6 months. During the on-orbit period, space science and application experiment tests will be carried out, astronaut extravehicular activities and cargo in and out of the cabin will be implemented, and the installation of the space station space debris protection device, the installation and recovery of extravehicular loads and extravehicular equipment will be carried out.