CASIC Microwave Docking Radar ,the Technological Breakthrough behind Precision Docking
SOURCE: CASIC
UPDATED: 2011.02.11
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To guarantee the perfect rendezvous of Shenzhou VIII spacecraft with Tiangong-1 space lab module, a major technological breakthrough is necessary. The microwave docking radar developed by China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp. (CASIC) is exactly the giant leap forward that made the difference.
For the rendezvous, or technically speaking docking, to happen, real-time parameters e.g. flight trajectory, velocity, relative position and distance have to be obtained. After acquisition and processing of such data, the super computer will give docking commands, instructing two spacecraft to proceed to the "rendezvous point".
Radars are widely employed in the scientific world, enabling us to measure parameters such as speed and distance. As can be seen from ubiquitous parking radars, the biggest advantage of radar lies perhaps in its ability to adapt to changing environments, e.g. alternation of day and night, precipitation and other weather conditions. Sure enough, speed measurement radars are more sophisticated in nature than the common ones. Then, what are the pros and cons of various radars capable of spacecraft measurement? Laser radars can generate 3-dimensional images, but are characterized by shorter range due to atmospheric attenuation loss. Microwave radars feature stronger measuring capabilities, better anti-jamming ability and higher accuracy. However, the accuracy of microwave radar is inversely correlated with measuring distance. The invention of a high-accuracy microwave radar which is capable of measuring short, medium and long range parameters clearly would have filled the gap. But due to stringent technical requirements, few companies across the country can meet the challenge.
After years of research& development, through trials and errors, the 25th Institute of the 2nd Academy CASIC has managed to produce the country's first high-precision microwave radar. With a maximum measuring range reaching hundreds of kilometers and minimum range of a mere dozen meters, the ground-breaking radar is accurate to centimeters in distance measurement. In addition, it is even more accurate in terms of angular and speed measurement, making it the perfect choice for spacecraft measurement.
Besides excellent performance, the small, light-weighted microwave radar is easy to operate and maintain. As small as an Ipad 2, this device weights less than 12 kilograms. This high-accuracy microwave radar is indeed a technological breakthrough for China.
