Chinese astronauts repair the space station’s solar wings after the debris impact
The crew of the Shenzhou This repair was carried out during the country’s inaugural mission, according to the China Manned Space Agency, and involved additional vehicle maintenance.
The astronauts will return to Earth on April 30, following the completion of their duties and the transfer of responsibilities to the upcoming Shenzhou XVIII mission.
“The ability to meet unforeseen challenges in space is an essential aspect of human space missions,” Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of CMSA, said at a press conference.
Lin explained that the space station’s core module, Tianhe, experienced a reduction in power after debris hit the solar wing’s power cables. He also noted that the station has performed several maneuvers to avoid collisions with space debris, a growing problem due to increased human activity in space.
The agency has improved its predictions of the space station and the paths of nearby orbital objects, improved collision avoidance protocols and reduced the number of false alarms by 30%, Lin explained.
Future plans include using high-definition cameras on the space station’s robotic arm and cameras held by spacewalking astronauts to inspect and assess the station’s external conditions and potential risks from small debris.
The next crew, aboard Shenzhou
In addition, the space station has implemented systems to monitor and locate leaks and developed a pressure emergency response system, significantly extending the time astronauts have to address problems in space.
The China Manned Space Agency continues to update the orbital parameters on its website and maintains a security communication protocol with other major space agencies to share timely information, Lin added.
Based on an article from Xinhua News Agency
