Shenzhou 10

Shenzhou-11, China's sixth manned spaceflight mission, set a record with a 33-day orbital duration, marking a significant milestone for China's manned space program. In this complex and critical mission, telecommunication cables played an indispensable role, serving as the “nerve network” that ensured the mission's successful execution.
During the rocket launch phase, ignition cables are critical. The new ignition cables produced by Hunan Dongfeng carried out this vital mission. From Shenzhou-1 to Shenzhou-11, all launch ignition cables were supplied by Dongfeng. Compared to previous models, the new ignition cables used for Shenzhou-11 achieved multiple technological breakthroughs: temperature resistance increased from 1000°C for 45 seconds to 1400–1800°C for 45 seconds, outer diameter reduced by 5%, weight decreased by 15%, and flexibility improved by nearly 30%. These enhancements enable the ignition cables to better withstand the extreme conditions during rocket launch, ensuring precise ignition at critical moments and facilitating a successful rocket ascent.
During the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft's orbital operations, telecommunication cables ensured reliable transmission of all signal types. The spacecraft's wide-beam relay terminal, equipped with four wide-beam antennas, connected to other devices via telecommunication cables to establish communication links with relay satellites. This solution addressed the traditional reliance of relay telemetry on spacecraft attitude, significantly expanding telemetry coverage and enhancing spacecraft maneuverability, thereby solidifying the foundation for real-time communication between the spacecraft and ground control. Through this communication link, astronauts could conduct voice and video communications with ground control, send and receive emails, watch television programs, and even make private calls to their families. During the spacecraft's reentry module landing, Tianlian-1 established a communication link via telecommunication cables with the airborne relay terminal on the search-and-rescue helicopter. This transmitted real-time footage of the entire process—from the helicopter's takeoff to mission completion—back to Beijing. It provided image and voice transmission services between the spacecraft's primary landing site and the Beijing control center, greatly enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the recovery operation.
Additionally, within the spacecraft, telecommunication cables relayed operational parameters (such as grinding pressure, temperature, and rotational speed) between various sensors and control systems, ensuring stable spacecraft performance. These cables also facilitated the collection and transmission of aerospace medical experiment data. Research data on cardiovascular function, in-orbit hearing, and brain-computer interaction were transmitted in real time to the ground via telecommunication cables, accumulating invaluable data for long-duration spaceflight.
The success of the Shenzhou-11 mission owes much to telecommunication cables. Their stable and efficient signal transmission capabilities under extreme conditions provided robust support for China's manned space program to reach new heights, while also accumulating valuable experience for the continuous optimization and upgrading of telecommunication cable technology in future space missions.