Design And Implementation Of Test Launch Procedure For Manned Space Project

During the current boom in its space industry, China is rapidly increasing the number and scale of space launches in order to catch up with countries with advanced space technologies. In this context, high intensity and normalization of launch missions become noticeable features of China’s space industry. However, China’s space missions still require long-term tests to be conducted at launch sites as its space technologies are still backward and inefficient compared to the United States, Russia and other space powers. This significantly limits the country’s space launch capability and the development of its space industry.China’s next step is to implement its manned space programme. More launch missions and tests are planned to be carried out at launch sites for manned missions. In order to adapt to this trend and ensure successful implementation of future rendezvous and docking missions to spacelabs, the issue of optimizing existing test launch procedure for rendezvous and docking missions was posed and investigated in this study. This paper looks at scientific and efficient methods of managing the logistics and technical conditions of different systems of a manned programme during a test launch as well as proper order of work and related test projects.Based on the results of earlier tests, the existing test launch procedure was optimized in this study to shorten the period of test launch and enhance the comprehensive test launch capability while ensuring reliability and safety. The optimized procedure will not only meet the need of increased missions, but also provide a basis for the research and development of equipment for testing space systems, aerospace production, and technical process of launch. The main content of this study is as follows:First, a safe and feasible approach to reclosing the fuel cap was designed with an aim to replace “two-step reclosing” with “one-step reclosing”. An optimization method called ECRS(eliminate, combine, rearrange, and simplify) was proposed for optimization of the one-step reclosing procedure. The feasibility of method was then assessed in terms of test integrity, validity, safety, and period.Second, a joint test project was designed. Through an optimization of the joint test project, all electrical tests on space vehicles after refueling would be conducted in the launch area so that the test coverage would be ensured and the duration of work in the launch area would not exceed five days. The joint test project was optimized using the ECRS method and the test coverage and duration of work in the launch area were then evaluated. The results of evaluation demonstrated the effectiveness of the optimization method. Additionally, the study also provided optimization of the refueling and reclosing procedure, pre-launch inspection and vertical transport procedure, and rocket ship automatic test procedure, as well as assessment of the optimized procedures.Last, a general test launch procedure for rendezvous and docking missions was designed and tested through experimental missions. The results of application and deficiency of the procedure observed in the test were analyzed and summarized, and the effectiveness of the procedure in application was comprehensively evaluated.