China conducted a whole-system rehearsal for the launch of its Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Wednesday, with the astronaut emergency evacuation team working as the last safety barrier during pre-launching stage.
The rehearsal included exercises in launch preparations, ignition and rocket-spaceship separation.
The combination of the spaceship and a Long March-2F carrier rocket was transferred to the launching area on Saturday and is scheduled for launch in the coming days, with all facilities and equipment at the launch site in good condition, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
The astronaut emergency evacuation team at the launch center is primarily responsible for emergency sheltering, evacuation, and safe transfer of astronauts during the pre-launching stage, serving as the final safeguard for astronauts' lives.
As the Shenzhou-23 mission enters its launching stage, the launch center conducted a realistic emergency evacuation support rehearsal for astronauts.
"Simulated astronaut NO.1 ready, prepare, jump," said an astronaut emergency evacuation team member.
The rehearsal closely simulated real mission scenarios. The team members, dressed neatly, responded swiftly with clear division of labor, taking positions quickly according to the established plan.
From rapidly donning protective gear and accurately assessing evacuation conditions, to operating the escape slide and explosion-proof elevator, and then simulating emergency shelter on the tower and orderly evacuation, the entire sequence was smooth, standardized, precise and efficient.
As the final safety barrier during the rocket pre-launching stage, the team remained on duty until the mission successfully commenced.
"For the Shenzhou-23 mission, we routinely conduct full-process, full-element multi-level backup evacuation rehearsals, refining every support detail. We have mastered various evacuation support methods based on the tower structure and mission preparation plans. All training and plans are thoroughly prepared and ready for use, aiming to build a safety assurance system that guarantees 100 percent astronaut safety," said Zhang Zhixu, astronaut emergency evacuation team member.
To achieve full safety coverage, the team has established a complete safety chain: "primary shelter on the tower and secondary evacuation from shelter rooms."
The two backup evacuation modes each have their advantages and complement each other.
The escape slide backup mode is suited for rapid response scenarios, offering high efficiency and independence from power equipment, the explosion-proof elevator backup mode is suited for routine, stable scenarios, enabling orderly and secure evacuation.
Based on routine tower shelter standby, the team has also preset secondary evacuation procedures from shelter rooms, solidifying the mission's safety foundation from all aspects.
"Based on daily rehearsals, we simulate various emergency scenarios in real environments, iteratively improve our plans, and conduct precise evacuation training. We ensure all team members memorize procedures, standardize actions, and always align rehearsals with real combat conditions. We thoroughly understand the routes and processes. It's better to be prepared and not need it than to need it and not be prepared," Zhang said.
To perfect the ultimate backup support of the safety shelter rooms, the team has formulated two standardized long-distance backup evacuation plans: exiting the shaft to the technical area, and evacuating along the cable corridor to the technical area. The two routes are set up simultaneously and serve as backups for each other.
"All our team members have completed multiple rounds of specialized joint rehearsals and full-process rehearsals. All personnel, equipment, and emergency response plans are in optimal combat readiness. We will always stand guard at the final safety checkpoint, successfully complete the emergency evacuation support tasks during the pre-launching stage, and do our utmost to ensure the safety of the astronauts," Zhang said.
Astronaut rescue team serves as final safety barrier for Shenzhou-23 pre-launching stage
