A shield called the 'fairing' protects satellites during the launch. For manned spaceships, it's even more important, since it helps the astronauts escape any possible accidents. The most sophisticated techniques have been applied for the fairing on the Long March 2-F rocket.
Thefairing of the Long-March 2F rocket envelops the Shenzhou 7 module. During lift-off, outer pressure tightens the fairing. The fairing protects the spaceship from high temperature, vibration and pressure.
Once the Shenzhou 7 reaches the stability of the atmospheric layer, the fairing will automatically open and fall away.
Zhang Zhi, Deputy Chief Designer of China's Manned Space Program, said, "Unlike the fairings on satellites, this one is not only divided in left and right halves, but also in upper and lower halves. The upper part acts as a escape craft. It connects the spacecraft's fairing and the escape engine."
Liu Zhusheng, former Chief Designer of China's Manned Space Program, said, "The escape craft does not take away the entire fairing. It carries away the two lower capsules of the spaceccraft. So the lower part of the fairing is gone. It looks like a bell, with an open bottom."
The fairing on the Long-March 2F rocket is different from the one used for satellites. It has four high-altitude escape engines. Four wings are attached to the fairing below the engines. If all goes well, they will remain in place.
Zhang Zhi said, "The function of the wings is to stabilize the escape craft. They boost lift. They are always closed during flight and only open for an emergency escape."
When the escape tower is activated, the wings will unfold, helping the escape craft to fly stably.
Liu Zhusheng said, "The wings are like the tail of a kite. Without the wings, the escape craft will be unstable."
The fairing also has an internal supporter that connects it to the return capsule. If something goes wrong during lift-off, the supporter will hold the return capsule as it jettisons to safety.
Zhang Zhi said, "There's a particular requirement for the supporter. It cannot be too fixed to the spaceship during normal flight. There should be some flexibility."
The Long March 2F's special features were designed to ensure it can put the Shenzhou 7 safely into space. It's now ready to fulfill its mission.
