“太空快递员”！轻舟货运飞船完成多项关键技术验证

Core Viewpoint - The new generation cargo spacecraft "Light Boat" has completed several key technology validations and is set for its maiden flight next year, designed specifically for China's space station as a "space courier" [1][2]. Group 1: Technical Features - The "Light Boat" spacecraft weighs approximately 5 tons and features a cargo hold with a four-layer shelf layout, accommodating 40 standard cargo slots with a total loading volume of 9 cubic meters and an overall cargo hold volume of 27 cubic meters, meeting diverse transportation needs for the space station [1]. - It incorporates an intelligent cargo transport management system that allows astronauts to quickly locate required items through voice interaction, significantly enhancing delivery efficiency and reducing on-orbit workload [1]. - The spacecraft is equipped with a modular "space refrigerator," with individual cold chain boxes of 60 liters that can be combined for a maximum total volume of 300 liters, capable of precise temperature adjustments for stable preservation during transport [1]. Group 2: Economic and Operational Efficiency - The "Light Boat" employs an integrated single-cabin design that reduces its size and enhances space utilization, allowing compatibility with various rocket types for rapid launches [2]. - The current transportation cost is approximately 100,000 yuan per kilogram, with expectations for further reductions through mass production and deepening commercial partnerships [2]. - The spacecraft features both "door-to-door delivery" and "pick-up" capabilities, enabling it to transport waste from the space station back to Earth for atmospheric destruction, thus achieving a closed-loop transport system [2]. Group 3: Strategic Importance - The addition of the "Light Boat" will significantly enhance the safety and reliability of material supply for China's space station, serving as a backup for cargo transport [2]. - The research unit has previously achieved success with projects like the Beidou navigation satellite and dark matter particle detection satellite, marking a new breakthrough in modular spacecraft and rapid response technology [2]. - The "Light Boat" is positioned to inject new momentum into the construction of China's space station, embodying innovation and exploration aspirations [2].