At 13:49 on May 8, 2020, the return module of China's new-generation manned spacecraft test vessel successfully landed in the predetermined area of the Dongfeng landing site, and the test was a complete success.
The new generation of manned spaceship test ship thermal protection system adopts the new ultra-light, low-ablation, heat-insulation, and integrated composite material technology solution jointly developed by Harbin Institute of Technology and BJWX Special Material Technology Group for the first time. Compared with traditional AVCOAT materials, the overall weight loss is 30% Above, the heat protection efficiency is greatly improved, and the payload is significantly improved. The thermal protection system withstood the high temperature ablation of up to 2000 ° C during the re-entry return process, ensuring the successful return of the return module, and laid a more efficient, safe and economical manned deep space exploration and near-Earth space station operation in China Solid foundation.
Thermal protection technology is one of the key technologies for major strategic needs such as deep space exploration vehicles and hypersonic vehicles. Lightweight, toughening, anti-ablation, and ultra-high temperature resistance are the focus of research on thermal protection systems. The new-generation manned spacecraft requires the second cosmic velocity return capability, and at the same time carries a larger payload. It also puts forward more importance for the return cabin in terms of thermal protection system weight reduction, heat insulation, aerodynamic shape retention and long-term service capability. Demanding requirements.
Focusing on the urgent need for a new generation of manned spacecraft for thermal protection systems, Academician Du Shanyi of the Institute of Composites and Structures of Harbin Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics put forward the guiding ideology of "light is the foundation and heat is the key" and the development concept of "integration of science and technology to serve aerospace". Over the years, the team of Academician Han Jiecai and Professor Zhang Xinghong gathered wisdom and innovation in the field of ultra-high-temperature thermal protection materials and worked hard to solve the ultra-light weight, low ablation, thermal insulation and integration of the manned spacecraft under the conditions of large heat flow, high erosion and long-term reentry. Basic scientific problems such as multi-scale-multi-level construction of chemical composite materials, precise control mechanism of organic-inorganic hybrid high-efficiency heat-insulation microstructure, and macro-micro prediction of ablation dimension mechanism.
Harbin Institute of Technology and BJWX jointly carried out technical public relations, breaking through key technologies such as optimization of the spatial distribution of fiber fabric reinforcement, nanoporous structure control, in-situ ceramic composite anti-oxidation ablation, rapid low-cost profiling preparation at near room temperature, and the formation of ultra-light low-firing Complete theoretical system and technical solution for integrated composite materials and structures for corrosion and heat insulation. The key performance indicators such as temperature resistance and ablation resistance of heat-resistant materials have reached the international advanced level, and the toughening performance is superior to the international similar materials.
Under the mission traction and guidance of the General Department of Manned Spaceflight and the General Design Department of the Space Vehicle of the Chinese Academy of Space Technology, during the joint collaboration between the Harbin Institute of Technology and BJWX, the Harbin Institute of Technology research team Professor Zhang Xinghong and Professor Hong Changqing, etc., repeatedly traveled to the aerospace institute and tested The verification unit has experienced more than 100 times of optimization design, screening, research and discussion, test evaluation and verification of the heat-resistant composite material until the plan is finalized. After 12 years, it has participated and witnessed the new thermal protection material system from scratch, and the performance has changed from weak to weak Strong research and development process. The cooperative R & D achievements of both parties were timely applied in engineering, and successfully achieved the manufacture of heat-resistant structures such as the over-sized three-dimensional shaped braid integral molding heat-resistant outsole, and established relevant heat protection material process specifications, evaluation systems and quality standards. Related research was supported by projects such as manned spaceflight pre-research, basic scientific research of National Defense Science and Industry Bureau, BJWX commissioned collaboration, and National Natural Science Foundation of China.
The new generation of manned spacecraft is a new type of space shuttle for the demonstration of the world's near-Earth space station operations, manned moon exploration and other mission needs. The successful development of a new low-density, high-performance thermal protection system has set a model for industry-university-research cooperation and application among aerospace material technology companies, universities, and research institutes, effectively solving the heat of the new-generation manned spacecraft when it re-enters the atmosphere. The key problems of protection have significantly enhanced China's ability to enter, control and use space, and will play an important role in the future development and utilization of space resources.