China's Space Program News Thread

[escobar]

launch vid

[video=youtube;l9qJ5nprah4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9qJ5nprah4#t=0s[/video]

 

[danielchin]

I read an article at CNN website that: "Russia's Soyuz craft docks with the International Space Station just six hours after liftoff, the Chinese will take two days from takeoff to docking."
Is that because Chinese takes more conservative and cautious approach or pure technical issues?

 

[Maggern]

I read an article at CNN website that: "Russia's Soyuz craft docks with the International Space Station just six hours after liftoff, the Chinese will take two days from takeoff to docking."
Is that because Chinese takes more conservative and cautious approach or pure technical issues?

On top of decades of docking experience for Russians and Americans, Soyuz missions to ISS is a routine endeavour they've been at frequently for ten years. China is only doing this for the second time ever.

EDIT: Actually, it's the third time, as they docked twice on the last mission.

 

[mr.bean]

wow what a busy day for china.

Shenzhou #10 mission takes off
Xiang yianghong #9/jiaolong deep sea submersible takes off for mission in s.china sea and pacific ocean
Liaoning CV16 leaves port and begins training mission


great day for us observers

 

[Quickie]

On top of decades of docking experience for Russians and Americans, Soyuz missions to ISS is a routine endeavour they've been at frequently for ten years. China is only doing this for the second time ever.

EDIT: Actually, it's the third time, as they docked twice on the last mission.

In the last mission, there was one manual docking and at least 2 or more automatic dockings under different conditions, one of them to test docking sensors in the glare of the sun. I think the unmanned Shenzhou 8 also did perform 2 or more automatic dockings.

Docking with the ISS is different in that it is always done with the help of a robotic arm which pull in the spacecraft for the last few metres. I suppose the Chinese space station may also adopt this method once it's installed with a robotic arm possibly to simplify docking maneouvre.

 

[Dolcevita]

I read an article at CNN website that: "Russia's Soyuz craft docks with the International Space Station just six hours after liftoff, the Chinese will take two days from takeoff to docking."
Is that because Chinese takes more conservative and cautious approach or pure technical issues?

I think the Russians tried and perfected the 6 hour docking only this year or over the past year. They had also been more conservative with their approaches until recently,

Edit: Found the Article. The short cut was successfully executed this year on March 29, 2013. Normally, Soyuz vehicles take two days to arrive at the ISS. Chinese needs to learn how to walk first before they sprint in the Olympics.

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[escobar]

I read an article at CNN website that: "Russia's Soyuz craft docks with the International Space Station just six hours after liftoff, the Chinese will take two days from takeoff to docking."
Is that because Chinese takes more conservative and cautious approach or pure technical issues?

This kind of docking is interesting in specific cases and has increased technical requirements especially for the monitoring and control system reactivity. CMSEO spokeswoman Wu Ping said China might also develop such a capability if needed for the future space station.

 

[Maggern]

In the last mission, there was one manual docking and at least 2 or more automatic dockings under different conditions, one of them to test docking sensors in the glare of the sun. I think the unmanned Shenzhou 8 also did perform 2 or more automatic dockings.

Docking with the ISS is different in that it is always done with the help of a robotic arm which pull in the spacecraft for the last few metres. I suppose the Chinese space station may also adopt this method once it's installed with a robotic arm possibly to simplify docking maneouvre.

Huh. I obviously just went with the mainstream coverage. Thanks.

 

[no_name]

It is said that this time the docking attempt will involve the shenzhou chasing Tiangong from behind.

Where as before I think they launch it slightly ahead of Tiangong and slightly slower so the two eventually met up.

 

[Equation]

launch vid

[video=youtube;l9qJ5nprah4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9qJ5nprah4#t=0s[/video]

To the crew of the Shenzhou-10 I wish you Godspeed and come back safe.