Skip to main content
Log in

Technical advancements and significance of circumlunar return and reentry spacecraft

  • Article
  • Published:
Science China Technological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As one of the vital steps in the 3rd phase of China’s lunar exploration program (CLEP), the circumlunar return and reentry spacecraft, developed by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), is used to demonstrate the key technologies of hyper-speed return and reentry spacecraft. The system configuration and flight process are presented in this paper, as well as the analysis of mission characteristics, the key technologies and the technical advancement during the R&D progress. The significance of circumlunar return and reentry spacecraft is given at the end.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ye P J, Peng J. Deep space exploration and its prospect in China. Eng Sci, 2006, 8: 13–18

    Google Scholar 

  2. Zhao B, Huang F, Cheng X L. Utilization of engineering calculation method for transitional regime aerodynamics. Spacecraft Recovery Remote Sens, 2014, 1: 6–13

    Google Scholar 

  3. Lv J M, Pan H L, Miao W B, et al. Impact of chemical non-equilibrium effect on aerodynamic characteristics of reentry capsules. Spacecraft Recovery Remote Sens, 2014, 3: 11–19

    Google Scholar 

  4. Chen S Y, Miao W B, Cheng X L. Study on radiative heating calculation method for reentry vehicles. Acta Aerodyn Sin, 2013, 31: 36–41

    Google Scholar 

  5. Chaudhuri S K, Nandi P K. Transfer alignment for space vehicles launched form a moving base. Defense Sci J, 2005, 55: 245–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Dai S W, Li J, Dai H D, et al. Study of rapid transfer alignment error model. J Astronautics, 2009, 30: 261–266

    Google Scholar 

  7. Zhang L, Yu D Y, Zhang H. Design and analysis of circumlunar free-return orbits. Spacecraft Eng, 2010, 19: 128–135

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hou Y Z, Zuo G, Wang P, et al. Entry/reentry corridor design for human deep space exploration. Spacecraft Recovery Remote Sens, 2014, 3: 1–10

    Google Scholar 

  9. Du X, Li H Y, Shen H X. Skip entry corridor design for lunar module considering multiple constraints. Manned Spaceflight, 2014, 5: 21–33

    Google Scholar 

  10. Fan H L, Huang J R, Liu Q Z. Scheme of fluid loop system on manned spacecraft for transport. Chin Space Sci Technol, 2007, 27: 38–43

    Google Scholar 

  11. Peng Q B, Shen H X, Li H Y. Free return orbit design and characteristics analysis for manned lunar mission. Sci China Tech Sci, 2011, 54: 3243–3250

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  12. Liu M X, Xue T, Zhao Y N, et al. Composite thermal protection coating on woven silica fiber fabrics. Sci China Tech Sci, 2014, 57: 1121–1126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Wang Y P, Zhen X, Wu J, et al. Hybrid CFD/FEM-BEM simulation of cabin aerodynamic noise for vehicles traveling at high speed. Sci China Tech Sci, 2013, 56: 1697–1708

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Wu W R, Liu W W, Qiao D, et al. Investigation on the development of deep space exploration. Sci China Tech Sci, 2012, 55: 1086–1091

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Wang S, Shang H B, Wu W R. Interplanetary transfers employing invariant manifolds and gravity assist between periodic orbits. Sci China Tech Sci, 2013, 56: 786–794

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Sun Z Z, Jia Y, Zhang H. Technological advancements and promotion roles of Chang’e-3 lunar probe mission. Sci China Tech Sci, 2013, 56: 2702–2708

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to MengFei Yang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yang, M., Zhang, W., Peng, J. et al. Technical advancements and significance of circumlunar return and reentry spacecraft. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 58, 738–745 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-015-5792-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-015-5792-5

Keywords

Navigation