China's Space Program News Thread

[anzha]

An anomaly occurred during the (a?) capsule launch:

A cargo capsule that was part of a key test in China's space programme experienced an "anomaly" Wednesday during its return trip, the space authority said.

The cargo capsule was launched Tuesday aboard a new type of carrier rocket along with a prototype spacecraft, and the latter is expected to return to Earth on Friday.

The launch is a major test of China's ambitions to operate a permanent space station and send astronauts to the Moon.

But "an anomaly occurred today during the return" of the cargo capsule, the China Manned Space Agency said in a statement.

"Experts are currently analysing the data," it said without offering details.

The cargo capsule was not designed to transport astronauts, only equipment. The device, developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, is an experimental prototype.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

So, I am a bit confused. I don't want to merely dismiss a source as being bad, but the new capsule wasn't a cargo capsule. Perhaps there was a second section like on the Dragon V2 and the DreamChaser that is dumped prior to return? OTOH, I don't want to merely be a China fanboy either: problems happen and that's why the first launch was unmanned just in case.

 

[Quickie]

An anomaly occurred during the (a?) capsule launch:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

So, I am a bit confused. I don't want to merely dismiss a source as being bad, but the new capsule wasn't a cargo capsule. Perhaps there was a second section like on the Dragon V2 and the DreamChaser that is dumped prior to return? OTOH, I don't want to merely be a China fanboy either: problems happen and that's why the first launch was unmanned just in case.

You're right, there were 2 parts to the mission. The cargo capsule wasn't the key test of the mission though. The crewed spacecraft, which was the main test of the mission, successfully returned back to earth days later. #5,144

 

[Rettam Stacf]

You're right, there were 2 parts to the mission. The cargo capsule wasn't the key test of the mission though. The crewed spacecraft, which was the main test of the mission, successfully returned back to earth days later. #5,144

There were actually 3 parts to the mission. The third part was to continue testing of the first stage of the CZ-5 rocket, which will be used for Chang'e 5 Lunar Sample Return Mission as well as China's Tianwen-1 Mars Exploration Mission. Both missions are scheduled for this year.

 

[Quickie]

There were actually 3 parts to the mission. The third part was to continue testing of the first stage of the CZ-5 rocket, which will be used for Chang'e 5 Lunar Sample Return Mission as well as China's Tianwen-1 Mars Exploration Mission. Both missions are scheduled for this year.

My reply was in reference to the payloads of the mission. In regard to the launcher, it was the maiden flight of the CZ-5B variant, which is being prepared for the launch of the space station modules. The lunar and Mars missions you mentioned above are going to be launched by the CZ-5 variant.

 

[foxmulder_ms]

Space Station news:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

The ability of the space telescope to dock and refuel is a great idea. Very practical and will increase the life the telescope a lot.

 

[antiterror13]

The ability of the space telescope to dock and refuel is a great idea. Very practical and will increase the life the telescope a lot.

as long as the future upgrade is in the design mind would be great (i.e upgrade the mirror, computer, etc)

 

[SoupDumplings]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1263453786095390720

A great loss.

Hopefully the program goes on well.

 

[Rettam Stacf]

My reply was in reference to the payloads of the mission. In regard to the launcher, it was the maiden flight of the CZ-5B variant, which is being prepared for the launch of the space station modules. The lunar and Mars missions you mentioned above are going to be launched by the CZ-5 variant.

The CZ-5B is essentially the booster and first stage of the 3-stage CZ-5. From Wikepedia

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Version	CZ-5	CZ-5B
Boosters​	4 × CZ-5-300, 2 × YF-100​	4 × CZ-5-300, 2 × YF-100​
First stage​	CZ-5-500, 2 × YF-77​	CZ-5-500, 2 × YF-77​
Second stage​	CZ-5-HO, 2 × YF-75D​	--​
Third stage (optional)​	Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!	--​
Thrust (at ground)​	10565 KN​	10565 KN​
Launch weight​	867,000 kg​	849,000 kg Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
Height​	62 m​	53.66 m​
Payload ( Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content! 200 km)​	--​	~25,000 kg Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
Payload ( Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content! )​	~14,000 kg Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!	--​
References: Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

 

[foxmulder_ms]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1263453786095390720

A great loss.

Hopefully the program goes on well.

Best way to commemorate him will be a successful mission. RIP. Best wishes for the launch, cannot wait.

 

[Quickie]

The CZ-5B is essentially the booster and first stage of the 3-stage CZ-5. From Wikepedia

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Version	CZ-5	CZ-5B
Boosters​	4 × CZ-5-300, 2 × YF-100​	4 × CZ-5-300, 2 × YF-100​
First stage​	CZ-5-500, 2 × YF-77​	CZ-5-500, 2 × YF-77​
Second stage​	CZ-5-HO, 2 × YF-75D​	--​
Third stage (optional)​	Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!	--​
Thrust (at ground)​	10565 KN​	10565 KN​
Launch weight​	867,000 kg​	849,000 kg Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
Height​	62 m​	53.66 m​
Payload ( Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content! 200 km)​	--​	~25,000 kg Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
Payload ( Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content! )​	~14,000 kg Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!	--​
References: Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

The first stage of CZ-5 variant and the huge core stage CZ-5B is still essentially quite different.

The core stage of CZ-5B is slightly longer than the CZ-5 first stage and, in addition, they still have to test the integrity of the payload structure (that is now newly built into the core stage) holding the huge payload(s), the releasing mechanism for them, fairings etc. The CZ-5 variant first stage, which consists mainly of the tanks for the fuel and oxidizer, is directly attached to the second stage.