China's Space Program News Thread
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Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
Re: china manned space - news and views
The relay satellite that they launched recently is now in operation. Finally we have proof of integrated C4ISR
China masters space command, control
by Staff Writers
Beijing (XNA) Nov 08, 2011
The Shenzhou -8 is equipped with microwave radar, laser radar and a high-resolution imaging sensors to accomplish the docking. It is also important to test whether radars and sensors can be used under different conditions in the second docking.
China's space control network has realized integrated command and control, which ensured the successful docking of the unmanned spacecraft Shenzhou 8 with the space lab module Tiangong 1, according to the Beijing Institute of Tracking and Communication Technology. This institute is the general design organization for the integration test of China's aerospace measurement and control network.
On the eve of the docking, the first for China, scientists from this institute upgraded the systems of the Relay Satellite Control Center, the Space Object Collision Warning Analysis Center and other space centers in Beijing as well as Jiuquan of Gansu province and Xi'an of Shanxi province.
All five centers are integrated to build a center group with a high degree of shared information and collaborative business.
2nd docking of Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-8 on schedule
Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-8 have now orbited together for more than 90 hours. In just over a week's time, the two will carry out a second docking if all tests run smoothly.
The second docking will be conducted with poorer orbit and light conditions purposely to test the reusability of the docking systems.
Wang Xiang, deputy chief engineer of Manned Spacecraft System, said, "To make the second docking possible, the two modules need to be first disconnected. And then they will have to be reconnected perfectly. The whole process is new to us."
The Shenzhou -8 is equipped with microwave radar, laser radar and a high-resolution imaging sensors to accomplish the docking. It is also important to test whether radars and sensors can be used under different conditions in the second docking.
Wang Xiang, deputy chief engineer of Manned Spacecraft System, said, "The sensors have different reactions under different conditions. All space engineers will meet this problem. The only way to overcome the problem is to test the sensors in a different orbit in the second docking. This test also adds some uncertainties to the success of the second docking."
The Shenzhou-8 and Tiangong-1 will orbit together for a total of 12 days doing tests. Then a second docking will be followed by two days' flight. Shenzhou-8 is scheduled to return to Earth on November 17th.
China's two data relay satellites take turns to guarantee space docking
During China's first space rendezvous and docking, the data relay satellite system, which is made up of Tianlian I-01 and Tianlian I-02 data relay satellites, took turns tracking the two targets of space module Tiangong 1 and spacecraft Shenzhou 8 and provided them with space monitoring and control as well as data relay services.
Huang Huiming, deputy director of the monitoring, control and communications system of China's manned space program, said that the entire rendezvous and docking process of Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 8 spacecraft was all within the monitoring, control and communications scope of the relay satellite system.
Tianlian I-01 and Tianlian I-02 have considerably decreased the monitoring, control and communication time of the rendezvous and docking and enhanced the reliability of the mission by taking turns to acquire and track Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou8 spacecraft that are within the same scope of wave beam.
The relay satellite system will also continue to play major monitoring, control and communications roles during the follow-up operations of the combined spacecraft, second experiment of the rendezvous and docking as well as the return of Shenzhou 8.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
The relay satellite that they launched recently is now in operation. Finally we have proof of integrated C4ISR
China masters space command, control
by Staff Writers
Beijing (XNA) Nov 08, 2011
The Shenzhou -8 is equipped with microwave radar, laser radar and a high-resolution imaging sensors to accomplish the docking. It is also important to test whether radars and sensors can be used under different conditions in the second docking.
China's space control network has realized integrated command and control, which ensured the successful docking of the unmanned spacecraft Shenzhou 8 with the space lab module Tiangong 1, according to the Beijing Institute of Tracking and Communication Technology. This institute is the general design organization for the integration test of China's aerospace measurement and control network.
On the eve of the docking, the first for China, scientists from this institute upgraded the systems of the Relay Satellite Control Center, the Space Object Collision Warning Analysis Center and other space centers in Beijing as well as Jiuquan of Gansu province and Xi'an of Shanxi province.
All five centers are integrated to build a center group with a high degree of shared information and collaborative business.
2nd docking of Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-8 on schedule
Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-8 have now orbited together for more than 90 hours. In just over a week's time, the two will carry out a second docking if all tests run smoothly.
The second docking will be conducted with poorer orbit and light conditions purposely to test the reusability of the docking systems.
Wang Xiang, deputy chief engineer of Manned Spacecraft System, said, "To make the second docking possible, the two modules need to be first disconnected. And then they will have to be reconnected perfectly. The whole process is new to us."
The Shenzhou -8 is equipped with microwave radar, laser radar and a high-resolution imaging sensors to accomplish the docking. It is also important to test whether radars and sensors can be used under different conditions in the second docking.
Wang Xiang, deputy chief engineer of Manned Spacecraft System, said, "The sensors have different reactions under different conditions. All space engineers will meet this problem. The only way to overcome the problem is to test the sensors in a different orbit in the second docking. This test also adds some uncertainties to the success of the second docking."
The Shenzhou-8 and Tiangong-1 will orbit together for a total of 12 days doing tests. Then a second docking will be followed by two days' flight. Shenzhou-8 is scheduled to return to Earth on November 17th.
China's two data relay satellites take turns to guarantee space docking
During China's first space rendezvous and docking, the data relay satellite system, which is made up of Tianlian I-01 and Tianlian I-02 data relay satellites, took turns tracking the two targets of space module Tiangong 1 and spacecraft Shenzhou 8 and provided them with space monitoring and control as well as data relay services.
Huang Huiming, deputy director of the monitoring, control and communications system of China's manned space program, said that the entire rendezvous and docking process of Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 8 spacecraft was all within the monitoring, control and communications scope of the relay satellite system.
Tianlian I-01 and Tianlian I-02 have considerably decreased the monitoring, control and communication time of the rendezvous and docking and enhanced the reliability of the mission by taking turns to acquire and track Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou8 spacecraft that are within the same scope of wave beam.
The relay satellite system will also continue to play major monitoring, control and communications roles during the follow-up operations of the combined spacecraft, second experiment of the rendezvous and docking as well as the return of Shenzhou 8.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
Re: Chinese Satellites
Long March 4B launches YaoGan Weixing-12 for China
November 9th, 2011 by Rui C. Barbosa
China’s YaoGan Weixing-12 (YG-12) satellite – highly likely to be used for military purposes – has been launched into orbit by a CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B (Long March 4B) rocket on Wednesday. The launch took place from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center at 11:21am local time.
Another Chinese Launch:
Once again, the Chinese media classed the satellite as a new remote sensing bird that will be used for “scientific experiments, land survey, crop yield assessment, and disaster monitoring.”
As was the case for the other launches of the YaoGan Weixing series, Western analysts believe this class of satellites is being used for military purposes. The previous satellite in the series, YaoGan Weixing-11, was launched September 22, 2010 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center by a CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D.
Looking back to the YaoGan Weixing launch series we can calculate the potential purpose of this new spacecraft.
See Also
Chinese Forum Section
60 Launch Vehicle Manuals (L2)
Click here to Join L2
The first YaoGan Weixing satellite (29092 2006-015A) was launched by a CZ-4C Chang Zheng-4C (Y1) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on April 27, 2006. Developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), the details about this satellite were closely guarded, but later it was said that this was the first Jian Bing-5 satellite, equipped with the first space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR).
The second satellite on the series, the YaoGan Weixing-2 (31490 2007-019A), was launched on 25 May, 2007, by a CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D (Y8) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Details were also restricted, though it is claimed that this spacecraft is an electro-optical military observation satellite, complementing the results of the YaoGan Weixing-1. This satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).
Click here for other Chinese Articles:
Another SAR mission was launched on November 11, 2007 with the YaoGan Weixing-3 (32289 2007-055A) satellite orbited by a CZ-4C Chang Zheng-4C (Y3) launch vehicle from Taiyuan. Other SAR missions were the YaoGan Weixing-6 (34839 2009-021A), launched by a CZ-2C Chang Zheng-2C-III (Y19) from Taiyuan on April 22, 2009, and the YaoGan Weixing-8 (36121 2009-072A), launched on December 15, 2009, by the CZ-4C (Y4) also from Taiyuan.
On December 1, 2008, YaoGan Weixing-4 (33446 2008-061A) – the second electro-optical satellite on the series – was launched by a CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D (Y9) from Jiuquan, and on December 15, 2008, YaoGan Weixing-5 (33456 2008-064A) was launched by a CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B (Y20) from Taiyuan. It is now believed that this satellite was the fourth electro-optical bird on the series, as well as the YaoGan Wexing-7 (36110 2009-069A) launch on December 9th, 2009 from Jiuquan by a Chang Zheng-2D (Y10).
The YaoGan Weixing-9 mission, launched March 5th 2010 from Jiuquan, had an architecture different from the previous missions on the series. Launched by CZ-4C Chang Zheng-4C (Y5) rocket, the mission put not one but a triplet of satellites in Earth orbit. Flying in formation this three satellites form what looks like a type of NOSS system.
So, looking back at the launch sequence on the series and taking into account that this launch took place from Taiyuan and used a CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B launch vehicle, is possible that YG-12 YaoGan Weixing-12 is a new second generation SAR satellite developed by SAST.
This was the 145th successful Chinese orbital launch, the 144th launch of a Chang Zheng launch vehicle, the 33rd successful orbital launch from Taiyuan (the 1st in 2011) and the 8th orbital Chinese launch in 2011.
Long March 4B launches YaoGan Weixing-12 for China
November 9th, 2011 by Rui C. Barbosa
China’s YaoGan Weixing-12 (YG-12) satellite – highly likely to be used for military purposes – has been launched into orbit by a CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B (Long March 4B) rocket on Wednesday. The launch took place from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center at 11:21am local time.
Another Chinese Launch:
Once again, the Chinese media classed the satellite as a new remote sensing bird that will be used for “scientific experiments, land survey, crop yield assessment, and disaster monitoring.”
As was the case for the other launches of the YaoGan Weixing series, Western analysts believe this class of satellites is being used for military purposes. The previous satellite in the series, YaoGan Weixing-11, was launched September 22, 2010 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center by a CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D.
Looking back to the YaoGan Weixing launch series we can calculate the potential purpose of this new spacecraft.
See Also
Chinese Forum Section
60 Launch Vehicle Manuals (L2)
Click here to Join L2
The first YaoGan Weixing satellite (29092 2006-015A) was launched by a CZ-4C Chang Zheng-4C (Y1) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on April 27, 2006. Developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), the details about this satellite were closely guarded, but later it was said that this was the first Jian Bing-5 satellite, equipped with the first space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR).
The second satellite on the series, the YaoGan Weixing-2 (31490 2007-019A), was launched on 25 May, 2007, by a CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D (Y8) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Details were also restricted, though it is claimed that this spacecraft is an electro-optical military observation satellite, complementing the results of the YaoGan Weixing-1. This satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).
Click here for other Chinese Articles:
Another SAR mission was launched on November 11, 2007 with the YaoGan Weixing-3 (32289 2007-055A) satellite orbited by a CZ-4C Chang Zheng-4C (Y3) launch vehicle from Taiyuan. Other SAR missions were the YaoGan Weixing-6 (34839 2009-021A), launched by a CZ-2C Chang Zheng-2C-III (Y19) from Taiyuan on April 22, 2009, and the YaoGan Weixing-8 (36121 2009-072A), launched on December 15, 2009, by the CZ-4C (Y4) also from Taiyuan.
On December 1, 2008, YaoGan Weixing-4 (33446 2008-061A) – the second electro-optical satellite on the series – was launched by a CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D (Y9) from Jiuquan, and on December 15, 2008, YaoGan Weixing-5 (33456 2008-064A) was launched by a CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B (Y20) from Taiyuan. It is now believed that this satellite was the fourth electro-optical bird on the series, as well as the YaoGan Wexing-7 (36110 2009-069A) launch on December 9th, 2009 from Jiuquan by a Chang Zheng-2D (Y10).
The YaoGan Weixing-9 mission, launched March 5th 2010 from Jiuquan, had an architecture different from the previous missions on the series. Launched by CZ-4C Chang Zheng-4C (Y5) rocket, the mission put not one but a triplet of satellites in Earth orbit. Flying in formation this three satellites form what looks like a type of NOSS system.
So, looking back at the launch sequence on the series and taking into account that this launch took place from Taiyuan and used a CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B launch vehicle, is possible that YG-12 YaoGan Weixing-12 is a new second generation SAR satellite developed by SAST.
This was the 145th successful Chinese orbital launch, the 144th launch of a Chang Zheng launch vehicle, the 33rd successful orbital launch from Taiyuan (the 1st in 2011) and the 8th orbital Chinese launch in 2011.
AssassinsMace
Lieutenant General
Re: Chinese Satellites
Looks like China's first probe to Mars is lost. Russia's Mars rocket failed.
Looks like China's first probe to Mars is lost. Russia's Mars rocket failed.
Quickie
Colonel
Re: Chinese Satellites
Oh mine, oh mine. The news is it could be due some programming problem. What?
What's the latest news?
Oh mine, oh mine. The news is it could be due some programming problem. What?
What's the latest news?
Red___Sword
Junior Member
Re: Chinese Satellites
Pissed yet be fair - like it or not, China currently lack the high powered long distance carrier that can travel to Mars. That's a hard flaw, so it's not about "trust Russian rocket..." but have no other choice other than to stick to Russian service right now.
Pissed yet be fair - like it or not, China currently lack the high powered long distance carrier that can travel to Mars. That's a hard flaw, so it's not about "trust Russian rocket..." but have no other choice other than to stick to Russian service right now.
danielchin
Junior Member
Re: Chinese Satellites
According to one of the Xinhua articles I read today that they do have the capability to send their satellite out but lack the deep-space control ability. So piggybacked by a Russian rocket/satellite is the most reasonable way to start their mars mission and learn from Russia at this moment.
According to one of the Xinhua articles I read today that they do have the capability to send their satellite out but lack the deep-space control ability. So piggybacked by a Russian rocket/satellite is the most reasonable way to start their mars mission and learn from Russia at this moment.
Quickie
Colonel
Re: Chinese Satellites
The latest news is the Russians have 2 weeks to fix the problem. I suspect that they're trying to find out if it is a program memory corruption problem rather than software programming problem as previously reported. If so, there's hope of saving the project but the question remains whether the problem will recur again.
Russia aim to get Mars probe back on track in two weeks
English.news.cn 2011-11-09 21:33:29 FeedbackPrintRSS
MOSCOW, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Russian engineers hope to correct the path of a Russian Mars probe in two weeks, after it missed its intended orbit, the country's space agency Roscosmos said early Wednesday.
Roscosmos confirmed in a statement the Phobos-Grunt probe, carrying China's Yinghuo-1 satellite and launched on a Russian Zenit-2SB rocket failed to reach the intended orbit.
The agency said it could receive telemetric data from the Phobos-Grunt spacecraft later in the day when the spacecraft entered the radio visibility zone.
"Based on the results of data processing and analysis, necessary programs and installations will be prepared and put on board for another ignition of thrust engines," the agency said.
"A more thorough analysis of the orbit's parameter and the onboard fuel supply shows such commands must be delivered within two weeks," the agency said.
The problem occurred after the Phobos-Grunt probe separated from the Zenit-2SB launch vehicle but failed to use its own booster to reach the designated orbit.
Roscosmos head Vladimir Popovkin said Wednesday the spacecraft had entered a support orbit and there remained three days for Russia to restore the program.
The latest news is the Russians have 2 weeks to fix the problem. I suspect that they're trying to find out if it is a program memory corruption problem rather than software programming problem as previously reported. If so, there's hope of saving the project but the question remains whether the problem will recur again.
Russia aim to get Mars probe back on track in two weeks
English.news.cn 2011-11-09 21:33:29 FeedbackPrintRSS
MOSCOW, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Russian engineers hope to correct the path of a Russian Mars probe in two weeks, after it missed its intended orbit, the country's space agency Roscosmos said early Wednesday.
Roscosmos confirmed in a statement the Phobos-Grunt probe, carrying China's Yinghuo-1 satellite and launched on a Russian Zenit-2SB rocket failed to reach the intended orbit.
The agency said it could receive telemetric data from the Phobos-Grunt spacecraft later in the day when the spacecraft entered the radio visibility zone.
"Based on the results of data processing and analysis, necessary programs and installations will be prepared and put on board for another ignition of thrust engines," the agency said.
"A more thorough analysis of the orbit's parameter and the onboard fuel supply shows such commands must be delivered within two weeks," the agency said.
The problem occurred after the Phobos-Grunt probe separated from the Zenit-2SB launch vehicle but failed to use its own booster to reach the designated orbit.
Roscosmos head Vladimir Popovkin said Wednesday the spacecraft had entered a support orbit and there remained three days for Russia to restore the program.
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