Advanced power grid monitoring system ensures safety for Shenzhou-21 mission

A specialized monitoring system, which serves as the "smart brain" of the ground power grid for the Shenzhou-21 mission, monitors and adjusts it with millisecond precision and zero errors, thus guaranteeing the safe launch of the crewed spaceship.

At the energy center of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, staff are conducting full-system launch drills to ensure power supply. Their key task is to maintain stable voltage and constant current within the grid amid high-power consumption.

"During the crucial implementation phase of the mission, the launch site's test, launch, and control equipment, along with the telemetry, tracking, command, and communication equipment, all enter a powered-on working state. Our greatest concern is a voltage drop within the grid. For certain radar equipment that needs to be pre-heated, and for the USB equipment responsible for sending spacecraft control commands, we are conducting high-density, seamless monitoring of all voltage and current at their power supply inlets. This ensures that any voltage anomalies during the power supply period can be promptly detected and continuously recorded," said Wang Lu, an officer at the launch center.

This specialized monitoring system employs phase-locked loop and digital signal processing technologies to perform high-speed and synchronous analysis of over 10 alternating current and direct current power circuits, providing power quality surveillance for the launch site, the launch command and control center, and optical, radar, and telemetry systems.

"This system has been in continuous operation at two sites within the launch site for three years, having monitored several dozen severe voltage drop events caused by faults such as climate conditions and bird interference. Based on this, in the launch site's power supply system, we have adopted methods such as dual circuits and multiple power sources to ensure the reliability of the power supply for critical equipment. In the aspects of the end distribution system and critical equipment, we apply key technologies such as UPS power supplies, bus supercapacitors, and protective circuit interlock to enhance the ability of critical equipment to withstand voltage drops," Wang said.

Advanced power grid monitoring system ensures safety for Shenzhou-21 mission

Villages in Thailand's Sisaket Province, which borders Cambodia, are quiet and empty after residents were evacuated to shelters.

With permission from the Thai military, a China Media Group (CMG) reporter entered the border conflict zone on Sunday and saw bullet holes scattered across residential buildings, as well as deep craters left by rocket and artillery fire.

"Villagers had been evacuated to shelters, leaving only us security personnel in the area," said Thai army Lieutenant General Patchakorn.

He added that civilians are not yet able to return home, citing the unstable security situation and ongoing hostilities.

Artillery fire could still be heard at the scene throughout the day. Thai military officials said the explosions were caused by Thai artillery strikes targeting Cambodian positions.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Sunday that Thai forces have taken control of nearly all targeted areas and are now compelling Cambodian forces to withdraw, adding that the areas are being closely monitored to prevent any renewed clashes.

The latest round of Thailand-Cambodia conflict, which reignited since Dec 7, has resulted in the deaths of 34 Thai civilians, Thai Ministry of Defense spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri told a press conference on Sunday.

The civilian death toll in Cambodia has risen to 19, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry said on the same day.

Thai border villages emptied as fighting with Cambodia leaves homes scarred