China successfully searched for the Shenzhou spacecraft return capsule using an unmanned mode for the first time

The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft's return capsule successfully landed at the Dongfeng landing site on the 19th. The search team, consisting of drone units, unmanned vehicle units, and ground units, arrived at the scene promptly and successfully completed the return mission of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft. This is the first time that China has successfully searched for the Shenzhou spacecraft's return capsule using an unmanned mode. "Compared to previous missions, this time we reduced the aerial team using helicopters and increased the drone and unmanned vehicle units," said Mao Yongjun from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. This is also the first practical application of the "drone search + unmanned vehicle observation + ground disposal" unmanned search mode in the Shenzhou mission, which will provide valuable experience for future missions. To ensure the smooth flight of the drones, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center fully utilized meteorological support, enhancing weather consultations to provide strong support for command decisions at critical points. The Dongfeng landing site is located on the edge of the Badain Jaran Desert in China, where the cold air mass is strong in winter. On the morning of January 19, the minimum temperature at the Dongfeng landing site reached minus 23.8 degrees Celsius. "To ensure that the search and rescue team can operate accurately in the cold environment, we conducted multiple rounds of coordinated flight training, cold adaptation training, and position reinforcement training before the mission, continuously improving personnel's operational sensitivity and teamwork," said Li Binbing from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. To obtain clear images, the landing site measurement team set up an optical measurement and control network covering the core area of the landing site in advance. After the return capsule exited the blackout zone, they quickly identified the target and captured and tracked it immediately. Shortly after the return capsule deployed its parachute, "Zhi Ying No. 2, target detected!" "Xian Feng No. 1, target detected!" The drones and unmanned vehicles closely coordinated to achieve "capsule landing and machine arrival." "After the return capsule released its heat shield, the unmanned vehicle successfully advanced, quickly identifying the target and rapidly reaching the vicinity of the landing site, transmitting the scene of the return capsule to the command control center," said remote driver Chen Fuqiang. In 2016, China first utilized the Dongfeng landing site. In 2020, the Dongfeng landing site executed its first search and recovery mission for the manned spaceflight program. In 2021, the Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft's return capsule successfully landed at the Dongfeng landing site, marking the first search and recovery mission for a manned spacecraft at this site. The return mission of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft is the first search and recovery mission for an unmanned Shenzhou spacecraft at the Dongfeng landing site. Risk Warning and Disclaimer The market has risks, and investment requires caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and does not take into account individual users' specific investment goals, financial conditions, or needs. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article align with their specific circumstances. Investing based on this is at their own risk.