Prediction of the trajectory of the manned spacecraft SHENZHOU-7 deploying a parachute based on a fine wind field

Abstract

Given that horizontal wind plays an important role in predicting the trajectory of the manned spacecraft SHENZHOU-7 when employing a parachute, the China Meteorological Administration conducted an experiment involving high-resolution wind observation, analysis and prediction between September 21 and 28, 2008. In this work, an algorithm for tracking a spacecraft deploying a parachute is studied. High-resolution wind profiles obtained from a numerical weather model, upper-atmosphere soundings and mobile incoherent Doppler wind lidar are compared. Forward and backward trajectory predictions based on various wind profiles, as well as their differences, are presented. In addition, the trajectory of SHENZHOU-7 is predicted using different wind profiles, and the predicted parachute-opening and landing points are compared with the observed points. Results indicate that a high-resolution numerical weather model and fine observation data can offer more-detailed wind information for the prediction of spacecraft trajectories and can thus help in the editing and sending of flight commands, consequently increasing the accuracy and reliability of landing on an assigned spot and reducing the search area and rescue time.