Shenzhou 7 landing site

Source: CCTV.com | 09-25-2008 17:32

When Shenzhou 7 returns to Earth after its long journey, it will land in Inner Mongolia. Wan Duyan tells us why that location was selected, and how the capsule will get back on the ground.

When it's time to return home, the spacecraft's position is adjusted, and the re-entry capsule separates from the orbital module.

After the separation, the re-entry capsule's position is readjusted for a return trajectory. The spaceship maintains this course, and is then in unpowered free descent.

At around a hundred kilometers above the ground, strong friction between the capsule and Earth's atmosphere produces intense heat on the surface of the capsule.

At about 10 kilometers, three parachutes will open to slow down the module. And at just over a meter before impact, landing rockets will ignite.

As the deceleration parachute, and main parachute are opened, the capsule drops slowly. When the capsule is just a meter above the ground, the capsule's four reverse-thrust engines are ignited to ensure a soft landing, at a speed of about one or two meters per second.

It is extremely important to select a location that can withstand the heat and pressure from the re-entry capsule.

The planned landing site is in Inner Mongolia's Wulanchabu's Siziwangqi.

In order to pick the perfect area for landing, 4 requirements must be met.

The first is that the spacecraft must pass the area numerous times while in outer space. This way, the area can be easily found through radar.

Professor Wang Peng, who was the director of Shenzhou 6, explains the other 3 requirements.

Helicopters waiting on site will immediately search for the capsule and a team will rush to the site to help the astronauts.

If there are any problems, a backup landing location at Gansu's Jiuquan Launch center will used.

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Editor:Zhang Pengfei