China's Space Program, News & Views

Re docking success proof that they can reuse the docking mechanism All road is clear to building space station. Embargo or no embargo doesn't make a difference.

China completes second space docking test

BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- China successfully completed Monday the country's second space docking that linked the unmanned spacecraft Shenzhou-8 again with the prototype space lab Tiangong-1, according to the mission's control center.

About half an hour before the re-docking, Shenzhou-8 had disengaged from Tiangong-1 after a 12-day flight together.

Shenzhou-8, launched on Nov. 1, rendezvoused and docked with the target orbiter Tiangong-1 on Nov. 3 in an orbit 343 km above earth, marking China's first space docking a success. Tiangong-1 has been in orbit since its launch on Sept. 29.

The Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC), which commanded the Shenzhou-8 mission, called the re-docking a success, during which functions of the measuring equipment and docking mechanism were tested in solar light.

Following the re-docking, the coupled spacecraft will fly together for two more days before the scheduled return of Shenzhou-8 to earth, Wu Ping, spokeswoman for the manned space program, said earlier.

The BACC said Monday that after the successful docking tests, the center will further modify the parameters of the orbit for Shenzhou-8 to return based on data collected through close monitoring over the procedures.

Prior to its return, Shenzhou-8 will re-disengage from Tiangong-1 and fly alone for a period of time, instead of immediately returning to earth, Li Jian, deputy chief engineer of BACC, said.

"Acquisition of the space docking technology is vital to China for implementing the three-phase development strategy of its manned space program," spokeswoman Wu said.

Another two docking missions with Tiangong-1 have been planned next year, and at least one will be manned, Wu said.

China plans to establish its own space lab around 2016 and a manned space station around 2020, she said.

I thought only missions to explore other planets, heavenly bodies needs to consider launch window. Satellites should be able to be launched into orbit around the earth anytime if everything is in place.

How long will China planning on keeping Tiangong-1 in orbit, even after all the missions completed next year?

Originally Posted by Equation

How long will China planning on keeping Tiangong-1 in orbit, even after all the missions completed next year?

The expected lifetime for Tiangong-1 is 2 years by the formally published news.

During these 2 years lifetime, Shenzhou 8, 9, 10 are all going to docking with Tiangong-1, forming a rudiment 雏形 of manned space station, testify that China have what it takes to build her own Earth-orbit Permanent Manned Station, thus conclude the Phase TWO of China's manned space program.

In Phase Three, when Tiangong-1 is definitely decommissioned, China starts to built the REAL DEAL of Earth-orbit Permanent Manned Station, and do some REAL DEAL at Lunar exploration.

Mission accomplished. They'll send one or two manned mission to Tiangong next year.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english201..._131253757.htm

China's central authorities congratulate success of first space docking mission
English.news.cn 2011-11-17 21:18:13 FeedbackPrintRSS

BEIJING, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang on Thursday evening delivered a congratulatory note from the central authorities, celebrating the success of the country's first-ever space rendezvous and docking mission.

The successful rendezvous and docking between the target orbiter Tiangong-1 and the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft marks a significant breakthrough in China's space docking technology, and it is also a great leap in China's aerospace technology, reads the note sent by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the State Council and the Central Military Commission.

It is an important milestone in the history of China's manned space program, and a landmark achievement in China's pursuit in building a country of innovation, reads the note.

Shortly before Zhang delivered the note at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, Chang Wanquan, commander-in-chief of China's manned space program, announced that the space rendezvous and docking mission fully succeeded.

Launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Nov. 1, the Shenzhou-8 landed in north China Thursday evening. The spacecraft conducted two docking tests with the Tiangong-1, which was launched from Jiuquan on Sept. 29.

The safe return of the Shenzhou-8 marked the end of the 49-day space docking mission, which will pave the way for the country's establishment of a permanent manned space station around 2020.

Other Senior officials, including State Councilor Liu Yandong, vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou -- all of whom are members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee -- also watched the return of the spacecraft at the control center.

any video for the spacecraft return?

Originally Posted by Lion

any video for the spacecraft return?

Full Video: Shenzhou-8 returns to earth

Originally Posted by zoom

Full Video: Shenzhou-8 returns to earth

There is no video on the webpage that the URL links to. Do you have one that directly links to CNTV?

Originally Posted by Engineer

There is no video on the webpage that the URL links to. Do you have one that directly links to CNTV?

Here it is

Full Video: Shenzhou-8 returns to earth CCTV News - CNTV English

Originally Posted by plawolf

6 launches in less than 2 months to send up 10 satellites? Seems improbably, unless the comment was referring to financial, instead of calendar year. But I guess we will see.

Well,well guess what today they launched 2 more satellite. The tally is now16 and 4 more to go
Long March 2D launches two research satellites for China | NASASpaceFlight.com

Long March 2D launches two research satellites for China
November 19th, 2011 by Rui C. Barbosa

After the successful return of Shenzhou-8 on November 17, China entered on the final phase of its 2011 launch schedule with the launch of two research satellites, the SW-4 Shiyyan Weixing and the Chuang Xin-1 (3), from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The launch took place at 00:15 UTC on Sunday from the 603 (SLS-2) launch complex using a Long March (Chang Zheng) 2D launch vehicle.

Chinese Launch:

The Shiyan Weixing-4 bird is a technology demonstrator satellite and will be used for experiments on new technologies. The satellites separated from the second stage of the launcher at around 0030UTC.

Also known as Tansuo-1 (28220 2004-012A), the first technological demonstrator SW-1 Shiyan Weixing-1 was launched at 1559UTC on April 18, 2004 by the CZ-2C Chang Zheng-2C (Y14) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. Supposedly, this satellite was part of China’s first digital imaging system capable of stereo Earth-terrain mapping.

The second satellite of this series, SW-2 (28479 2004-046A) was launched at 1045UTC on November 18, 2004 by the CZ-2C Chang Zheng-2C (Y15) also from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center and its mission was similar to the SW-1 mission.

SW-3 Shiyan Weixing-3 (33433 2008-056A), launched at 0015:06.909UTC on November 5, 2008, by the CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D (Y12) was a technology demonstrator satellite and was used for experiments on new technologies in atmospheric exploration, according to its developer, the Harbin Institute of Technology.

The second satellite on board, the Chuang Xin-1 (3), was developed by the China Academy of Sciences and according to the state media the main mission objectives are atmospheric space environment detection system validation of new technologies and domestic components, assemblies and a variety of on-orbit testing and evaluation of a new payload.

The new satellite is also testing a system on the basis of satellite platform optimization, implemented around the flexible integration of payloads with high functionality.

The first Chuang Xin-1 (28058 2003-049B) satellite was launched piggyback on the CBERS-2 satellite at 0316UTC on October 21, 2003 by the CZ-4B Chan Zheng-4B (Y4) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center and the second satellite of the series was launched at November 5, 2008, together with SW-3

China launches in 2011

01 - April 9 (2047:04.570UTC) - CZ-3A (Y19) - XSLC, LC3 - BeiDou-2 'Compass-I3'
02 - June 20 (1613:04.358UTC) - CZ-3B/E (Y20) - XSLC, LC2 - ZX-10 ZhongXing-10 (Chinasat-10)
03 - July 6 (0428:03.993UTC)- CZ-2C (Y25) - JSLC, SLS-2 - SJ-11 Shi Jian 11-03
04 - July 11 (1541:03.700UTC) - CZ-3C (Y8) - XSLC, LC2 - TL-1B Tian Lian-1B
05 - July 26 (2144:28.206UTC) - CZ-3A - XSLC, LC3 - BeiDou-2 'Compass-I4'
06 - July 29 (0742:03.570UTC) - CZ-2C (Y24) - JSLC, SLS-2 - SJ-11 Shi Jian 11-02
07 - August 11 (1615:04.434UTC) - CZ-3B/E (Y19) - XSLC, LC2 - PakSat-1R
08 - August 15 (2257:19.319UTC) - CZ-4B (Y14) - TSLC, LC2 - HY-2A Hai Yang-2A
FF - August 18 (0928:03.744UTC) - CZ-2C - JSLC, SLS-2 - SJ-11 Shi Jian 11-04
09 - September 18 (1633:04.621UTC) - CZ-3B (Y16) - XSLC, LC2 - ZX-1A ZhongXing-1A
10 - September 29 (1316:03.507UTC) - CZ-2F (T1) - JSLC - TG-1 TianGong-1
11 - October 07 (0821:04.348UTC) - CZ-3B/E (Y18) - XSLC, LC2 - Eutelsat-W3C
12 - October 31 (2158:10.430UTC) - CZ-2F (Y8) - JSLC - SZ-8 Shenzhou-8
## - November 8 (2016:02.871UTC) - Zenit-2FG (SLB41.1) - Bayk, LC45 PU-1 - YH-1 Ying Huo-1*
13 - November 9 (0321:05.279UTC) - CZ-4B (Y21) - TSLC - YG-12 YaoGan Weixing-12; TX-1 Tian Xun-1
14 - November 20 (0015:04.609UTC) - CZ-2D (Y19) - JSLC, SLS-2 - SY-4 ShiYan Weixing-4; Chuang Xin-3

*Launch of Chinese Mars probe YH-1 YingHuo-1 took place together with the Fobos-Grunt Russian Mars probe.

China launch schedule

2011

December 1/2 (?) - CZ-3A - XSLC - Compass-I5
December 19 - CZ-3B/E - XSLC - NigComSat-1R
December - CZ-4B - TSLC - ZY-1 Zi Yuan-1 (2C)
December - CZ-2C - TSLC - YG-13 YaoGan Weixing-13
December - CZ-4C - JSLC - YG-14 Yaogan Weixing-14

The following satellites will possibly be launched as piggyback payloads

?? - ?? - ?? - FAST (FAST-D and FAST-T: Formation for Atmospheric Science and Technology)
?? - ?? - ?? - JiShu Shiyan-1 (NewTec-1)
?? - ?? - ?? - FN-1 Feng Niao-1
?? - ?? - ?? - Beijing-2

2012

January - CZ-4B - TSLC - ZY-3 Zi Yuan-3
March/April - CZ-2F/G - JSLC - SZ-9 ShenZhou-9
NET April - CZ-2C - JSLC - Gokturk-2
September / October - CZ-2D - JSLC - VRSS-1 (Venezuela Remote Sensing Satellite-1)
November - CZ-4B - TSLC - CBERS-3
December - CZ-4B - TSLC - FY-3C Feng Yun-3C (Batch 2)
First quarter - CZ-3B/E - XSLC - Apstar-7
First half - CZ-3A - XSLC - FY-2F Feng Yun-2F
Second half - CZ-2F/G - JSLC - SZ-10 ShenZhou-10
Late - CZ-3B/E - XSLC - Apstar-7B**
?? - CZ-3B/E - XSLC - Chinasat-9A (ZX-9A ZhongXing-9A)
?? - CZ-3A - XSLC - FY-2G Feng Yun-2G
?? - CZ-3B - XSLC - Communications Satellite
?? - CZ-3B - XSLC - NigComSat-2
?? - CZ-3A - XSLC - Compass-M2
?? - CZ-3A - XSLC - Compass-M3
?? - CZ-3A - XSLC - Compass-M4
?? - CZ-3A - XSLC - Compass-M5 ***
?? - CZ-3C - XSLC - TL-3 TianLian-3
?? - CZ-3C - XSLC - Compass-G5
?? - CZ-3C - XSLC - Compass-G6
?? - CZ-4B - TSLC - FY-4O/A Feng Yun-4Optical/A
?? - CZ-2D/2 - JSLC - SJ-9 Shi Jian 9A/B
?? - CZ-2C - JSLC - SJ-11 ShiJian 11-05 (?)
?? - CZ-2C - TSLC - HJ-1C Huan Jing-1C
?? - ?? - ?? - HY-3A Hai Yang-3A
?? - ?? - ?? - Pakistani remote sensing satellite (RSSS)
?? - ?? - ?? - HY-1C Hai Yang-1C
?? - ?? - ?? - HY-1D Hai Yang-1D
?? - ?? - ?? - YG-15 YaoGan Weixing-15
?? - ?? - ?? - YG-16 YaoGan Weixing-16
?? - ?? - ?? - YG-17 YaoGan Weixing-17

** Will become Chinasat-12 (replacing Chinasat-5A) if Apstar-7 launch has been successful.
*** 23 Compass-MEO are planned for launch from 2013 to 2020.

2013

First quarter - CZ-3B/E - XSLC - ZX-11 ZhongXing-11 (Chinasat-11)
Third quarter - CZ-3B/E - XSLC - LaosSat-1
Third quarter - CZ-3B/E - XSLC - ZX-13 ZhongXing-13 (Chinasat-13)
End of year or 2014 - CZ-3B/E - XSLC - Túpac Katari 'TKSat-1' (Bolivia)
?? - CZ-7 - JSLC - TG-2 TianGong-2
?? - CZ-2F - JSLC - SZ-11 Shenzhou-11
?? - CZ-2F - JSLC - SZ-12 Shenzhou-12
?? - CZ-3B - XSLC - Chang'e-3 (Moon lander/rover)
?? - CZ-4B - TSLC - HY-2B HaiYang-2B (or 2014)
?? - CZ-2D - JSLC - Shiyan Weixing-5; Chuang Xin-4
?? - CZ-4C - TSLC - FY-3C FengYun-3C
?? - ?? - ?? - YG-18 YaoGan Weixing-18
?? - ?? - ?? - YG-19 YaoGan Weixing-19
?? - ?? - ?? - YG-20 YaoGan Weixing-20
?? - ?? - ?? - TH-2 TianHui-2
?? - CZ-6 - ?? - ??

2014

August - ?? - TSLC - CBERS-4
December - CZ-4B - TSLC - FY-3D Feng Yun-3D (Batch 2)
First quarter - CZ-3B/E - XSLC - Belarus Sat-1
?? - CZ-3A - XSLC - FY-2H Feng Yun-2H
?? - CZ-3B - XSLC - Chang'e-4 (Moon lander/rover)
?? - CZ-5 - WSLC - ??
?? - CZ-7 - WSLC - ??
?? - CZ-?? - ?? - CFOSAT (China-France Oceanography SATellite)
?? - ?? - ?? - Scientific Experimental Satellite for Global Carbon Dioxide Monitoring
?? - CZ-2C(?) - ?? - CSES-1 Earthquake electromagnetism monitor satellite
?? - ?? - ?? - Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope 'HXMT'

2015

June - ?? - ?? - Venus probe
?? - CZ-2C - JSLC - SJ-10 Shi Jian-10
?? - ?? - ?? - Kua Fu-A
?? - ?? - ?? - Kua Fu-B (1)
?? - ?? - ?? - Kua Fu-B (2)
?? - ?? - ?? - FY-4M/A FengYun-4Microwave/A (or later)
?? - ?? - ?? - FY-4O/B FengYun-4O/B
?? - ?? - ?? - FY-4O/C FengYun-4O/C
?? - ?? - ?? - Dark Matter Satellite
?? - ?? - ?? - Mars probe
NET - ?? - ?? - VeneSat-2
NET - CZ-3B/E - XSLC - NigComSat-3

2016

?? - CZ-7 - JSLC - TG-3 TianGong-3 (or 2015)
?? - CZ-4B - TSLC - FY-3E Feng Yun-3E (Batch 2)
?? - ?? - TSLC - CBERS-4B
?? - ?? - ?? - Quantum Science Satellite

2017

NET - ?? - TSLC - CBERS-SAR 1
?? - CZ-5 - WSLC - Chang'e-5 (Sample return)
?? - ?? - ?? - HY-3B Hai Yang-3B
?? - ?? - ?? - Asteroid rendezvous and touchdown

2017 / 2020

?? - CZ-5 - WSLC - Chang'e-6 (Sample return)

2018

?? - CZ-4B - TSLC - FY-3F Feng Yun-3F (Batch 2)
?? - CZ-4B - TSLC - FY-4M/B Feng Yun-4B
?? - ?? - TSLC - CBERS-SAR 1
?? - ?? - ?? - Deep Space Solar Observatory

2019

?? - ?? - ?? - FY-4O/D FengYun-4O/D
?? - ?? - ?? - FY-4O/E FengYun-4O/E

2020

September - ?? - TSLC - CBERS-6
?? - ?? - CZ-5 - Space Station Core Module
?? - ?? - CZ-5 - Space Station Laboratory
?? - CZ-4B - TSLC - FY-3G Feng Yun-3G (Batch 2)
NET - ?? - ?? - Recoverable Moon Probes

Saw Yuan Wang 6 space tracking ship in Auckland harbour today. Probably for resupply after the Tian gong space docking mission.

Originally Posted by no_name

Saw Yuan Wang 6 space tracking ship in Auckland harbour today. Probably for resupply after the Tian gong space docking mission.

LOL son of b***h, I knew I recognized that ship when I took the bus home from the city last night! Didn't look as big as I thought it would be in person, compared to all the cruise ships we usually get in its spot.

Heh, I came in the direction such that most of it was obscured by a low white building. But the dishes gave it away and I saw two blurry chinese characters near the bow followed by a 6.