Careful observers have noticed that when Chinese astronauts return to Earth after a mission, the re-entry module in which they travel often shows obvious signs of burning.
Some of the reentry modules even showed an unusually sharp burnt black, which was particularly noticeable in contrast to India, where the reentry module was in pristine condition when it landed after completing its mission, with no burnt black.
This has led people to wonder, does this mean China's space technology is less developed than India's?
Looking back at the Chinese and Indian re-entry modules, take the Shenzhou XVI's return to Earth on October 31 last year, when the three astronauts landed safely to cheers.
However, people noticed changes in the appearance of the return capsule, especially traces of burnt black, which is not uniform in color, black in some places, and gold in others.
The burning marks of this flame give a sense of danger and tension.
Chinese netizens are familiar with the phenomenon, which has happened every time the re-entry module has landed since Shenzhou-1.
The capsule will rub up against the atmosphere as it returns to Earth in space, but India's capsule was confusingly spotless after landing.
For example, on October 21, 2023, India conducted an unmanned test flight of Gaganyan, and after the spacecraft landed in the Bay of Bengal, photos showed that the re-entry capsule was clean and no signs of burning.
This raises questions, especially given India's relative technological backwardness.
How did India's return capsule stay so clean? Does that mean their technology has surpassed China's?
In fact, the burning marks on the surface of the Chinese capsule are due to the need to burn through the combination of fuel, oxygen and ignition points during the return to Earth.
Similar to meteor showers, meteorites in space create flames as they pass through the atmosphere.
When the spacecraft returns to the Earth, the speed is extremely fast, and for the safety of the astronauts, it is necessary to slow down by braking to avoid overheating, and the coating on the surface of the return capsule plays an important role.
When the re-entry capsule enters the atmosphere, the air compression will cause the temperature to rise sharply, but the thermal protection coating can withstand the high temperature and keep the temperature inside the cabin stable.
Despite looking like a ball of fire on the outside, the interior temperature remains comfortable.
The Indian capsules were clean because they did not fly out of the atmosphere and therefore did not rub against it, causing scorch marks.
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