China's Space Program, News & Views

Vid 04 - Explanation of manual control joysticks



Vid 05 - SZ-9 was taken to the station point of 400m and then advance to the station point of 140m by the autopilot

Vid 06 - Wang Liu performed the last audit of the manual control system (Joystick left and right) and reports that everything is working properly



Vid 07 - Beginning of the manual piloting, the ground staff regularly report the flight data by security

Vid 08 - Manual piloting ongoing, Shenzhou-9 is located 100m from TQ-1



Vid 09 - The astronaut Wang Liu changes the operating mode of the laser radar(LiDAR). The laser radar is one of three devices of the manual docking system (The other two are the CCD cameras and the microwave radar). SZ-9 is located 50m from TG-1.

Vid 10 - 40 m from TQ-1



Vid 11 - 30m from TG-1, the astronauts reported that everything is ok

Vid 12 - 20m from TQ-1



Vid 13 - Last moment, 15 to 0m.

Vid 14 - Contact!



Vid 15 - The docking systems on both sides begin the tightening process

Vid 16 - Tightening process ongoing, always monitored by the astronauts



Vid 17 - Locking ongoing

Vid 18 - Locking and sealing confirmed. It is learned that Yang Liu is always making little jokes on camera to amuse the ground staff.



Vid 19 - TG-1's autopilot takes total control of the whole.

Vid 20 -The BACC announced the successful manual docking.



Vid 21 -The three astronauts shaking hands.

Vid 22 - The autopilot corrects the trajectory

http://youtu.be/k30V9KWhMKw

This is by far, one of the most uncomfortable conversation I have ever see in my life. China still have a long way to go on this public relation stuff, just make normal conversations, don't be so stiff all the damn time.

Originally Posted by stardave

http://youtu.be/k30V9KWhMKw

This is by far, one of the most uncomfortable conversation I have ever see in my life. China still have a long way to go on this public relation stuff, just make normal conversations, don't be so stiff all the damn time.

The astronauts are not stiff all the time, in fact they are almost as comfortable as the crew of ISS in a lot of aspects. But this is a different case, when you are in front of top party brass such as Hu you don't make conversations, you'll have to treat every word as an important political speech.

Chinese President talks with astronauts aboard Tiangong-1

Chinese President Hu Jintao came to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Tuesday and spoke with astronauts currently implementing the space mission aboard the conjoint Shenzhou-9 spacecraft and Tiangong-1 orbiter.

The President was accompanied by senior leaders Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang.

Hu extended his sincere greetings to the three astronauts, Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang and Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut.

"You have spent nearly 10 days in space, we care about you. How are you feeling?" asked the president.

Mission commander Jing said they were in good condition and told the president, "Chinese astronauts have their own home in space now. We are proud of our country!"

Hu also asked whether their assignments were going well.

Jing said that all work was going smoothly, the manual docking had been completed successfully and the crew members were doing scientific experiments as planned.

Hu praised the astronauts for their excellent performance in China's first manual rendezvous and docking mission, which showcased the country's full command of space docking technologies.

The president thanked the astronauts for their contributions to the country's manned space program, adding, "We and your families are looking forward to your successful and safe return."

The three astronauts saluted the president at the end of their talk...

Escobar, you are doing an outstanding job keeping the forum informed of the recent Chinese manned space mission!

OUTSTANDING!