How China sets timing for its maiden space voyage

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, October 14, 2003

How China sets timing for its maiden space voyage

Space launch timing is like a chess match? China's timing for its first manned spaceship flight is set in line with the conditions in the orbit, the craft's needs for orbital movements and working conditions, and the requirements for ground monitoring and controlling, according to a Chinese expert.

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China's timing for its first manned spaceship flight is set in line with the conditions in the orbit, the craft's needs for orbital movements and working conditions, and the requirements for ground monitoring and controlling, according to a Chinese expert.

Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's spaceship launch center system, in Jiuquan, Gansu Province in northwestern China, said that a mathematical model has been constructed with relevant data after "careful calculation".

China has announced the "Projection Window" or the timing, for launching its first manned space vehicle into the orbit between October 15-17.

Firstly, the spacecraft should be positioned in the orbit with its solar panels facing the Sun to ensure adequate energy supply to the vehicle during free flight.

Secondly, an optimum angle has been selected to prevent direct irradiation of the Sun from the three infrared sensors that are used to measure the Earth while maintaining a certain temperature in the capsule.

"It is very difficult to satisfy all these requirements simultaneously when it flies in the orbit," said Zhou.

"The room is very small for choosing the 'window' as climatic conditions vary in different seasons," he noted.

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