Want to enter the core module of the space station? Astronauts must first pass through these four gates

After the Shenzhou 12 manned spacecraft rendezvous with the core module of the space station, the astronauts will enter the core module from the Shenzhou spacecraft. In this process, the astronauts need to pass through four doors in total.

What are the four gates? Let’s find out~

After completing the rendezvous and docking, the astronauts must first open the door of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft and come to the orbital module. At this time, the front end of the orbital module is in a circle with the front end of the core module of the space station. The docking mechanism between the shaped node cabins forms a channel with a diameter of 80 cm and a length of about 1 meter.

The astronauts passed through this passage and finally entered the core module. However, in order to open the front door of the orbital module, astronauts must first adjust the air pressure on both sides of the door.

Deputy Chief Designer of the Shenzhou Spacecraft of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group Gao Xu: We must first repressurize the docking channel so that its pressure reaches a balance with the pressure in the aircraft cabins on both sides. In this way, astronauts can more easily open the front door of our orbital module and then enter the docking aisle.

Entering the core module node module requires a special \”key\” to open the door

After entering the docking channel, the astronauts must open the front door of the node module. This door cannot be opened casually. It requires a special \”key\” to open it.

Gao Xu, overall deputy chief designer of the Shenzhou spacecraft of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group : Our manned spacecraft also carried (carried) a key to the space station. He (the astronaut) took this key to open the door of the space station. It has a relatively large handle, which can reduce the need to open the door. Difficulty.

At this time, the astronauts are floating in the docking channel because they are not limited by gravity. They can push the door open and enter the node module by turning the \”key\” twice and a half.

p>

Finally, they need to open the rear hatch of the node module, also known as the \”two-way pressure-bearing hatch\”, to officially enter the core module and start a three-month space life.

Source: China Central Radio and Television Station CCTV News