The landing site survey team has built a precise and reliable tracking system to provide high-quality images as a key support for the safe landing of China's Shenzhou-17 re-entry module, with its crew bound to return on Tuesday.
When Shenzhou-17 spacecraft touches down in the core area of the landing site, a robot is to capture real-time images of the parachute deployment and landing process.
The Shenzhou-17 crew held a handover ceremony with the Shenzhou-18 crew and transferred the keys of China's space station to the latter on Sunday.
Up to now, the Shenzhou-17 crew has completed all planned tasks. The three astronauts will return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
Due to uncertainties in the landing area, large equipment and survey personnel are not allowed in the core area of the landing site.
In order to improve measurement accuracy and coverage of the landing scene, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center has added more than 10 small unmanned control devices at the landing site, building a precise and tight tracking measurement system on the basis of existing measurement methods.
"We'd remotely control the small optical equipment through the control center to track and shoot the re-entry module, and acquire real-time images and measurement data. The operation system features strong mobility, wide scope of coverage, and lower safety risks, and is an important part of the measurement and control system for the spacecraft return mission," said Liu Shuqiang, a team member.
To make sure that the measurement could keep up with, capture steady, and measure accurately the landing scenes, the team has conducted rigorous training, simulating the most complex scenarios that may come up.
"We usually organize post operators to conduct single-machine model tracking training sessions, use drones and search-rescue helicopters to conduct full-system functional drills, and carry out trainings on focus and color adjustment, and zooming to make the target images clear with a moderate size and bright color. In addition, we also use passing civil aircraft to conduct target tracking and image quality adjustment training," Liu said.
Taking into account the special features of the Shenzhou-17 spacecraft return mission, the landing site survey team has also modified and improved hundreds of mission documents and emergency plans, and carried out many communication linking and tracking debugging, so that personnel and equipment are always kept in the best state.
"Now the equipment is in good technical shape, and all the staff members are full of energy, and we will welcome the astronauts back home safe with our high-quality work," said Lu Shengwang, another team member.
The Shenzhou-17 crew members, consisting of Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, were launched to the Tiangong space station last October, and have remained in orbit for about half a year.
China launched the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship on April 25, sending three astronauts -- Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu -- to its space station for another six-month mission.
Landing site survey team ensures safe return of Shenzhou-17
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a restrictive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday at Zhongnanhai in Beijing, during which they had in-depth exchanges on strategic issues of common concern.
The world is undergoing changes unseen in a century and entering a new period of turbulence and transformation, Xi noted, adding that in the face of the ever-evolving world landscape with volatility and turmoil, China has maintained its strategic resolve.
He said that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have overcome various difficulties and challenges, and are striving to promote high-quality development and Chinese modernization.
China is willing to work with Russia and other countries to enhance solidarity and cooperation, steer global governance in the right direction, jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, and promote world peace and common development, Xi said.
Noting that China's development is unstoppable and that no force can contain China's growth and progress, Putin said that Russia is willing to improve cooperation with China and other Global South countries to promote international fairness and justice, and to work toward a more equal and multipolar world.
The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis.
Xi elaborated on China's consistent position and efforts to promote the political settlement of the Ukraine issue, stressing that to deal with any major issue, it is necessary to address both the symptoms and the root causes, and to plan for the present as well as for the long term.
He said the core of the Global Security Initiative is advocating the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and the fundamental solution to the Ukraine issue is to promote the establishment of a new balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture.
Xi said China supports the convening of an international peace conference recognized by Russia and Ukraine at an appropriate time with equal participation and fair discussion of all options, so as to push for an early political settlement of the Ukraine issue, and China stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in this regard.
Putin introduced the relevant views and positions of Russia, saying that Russia appreciates China's objective, just and balanced position on the Ukraine issue and welcomes China to continue to play an important and constructive role in the political settlement of the issue. Russia is committed to resolving the Ukraine issue through political negotiations and is willing to demonstrate sincerity and maintain close communication with China in this regard, he said.
Xi said that over the years, they have had many meetings and every exchange has been candid, in-depth and fruitful.
Xi said he is ready to stay in close contact with President Putin and work together to steer the development of China-Russia relations in the right direction, guide the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era to achieve steady and lasting progress, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and contribute to world security and stability.
Putin thanked Xi for his warm hospitality, saying that he is willing to maintain close communication with Xi, implement the important consensus reached between them, and ensure the full development of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.
Xi holds restrictive meeting with Putin at Zhongnanhai
