China's Space Program News Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.

fishhead

Banned Idiot
Re: chinese satelittes

Yeah, they launched a new BD today, just like some guy said a few days ago.

Next is the new ASAT test, not sure US reports it or not. Last time some space hobbyists found it out.

New BD update:

This is the first sat of new generation BD, it goes at the orbit of 21650km high. If no problem found in the test, Chinese new BD system will enter the batch launch in 2008.

The new generation BD will provide global coverage, starting from the regional coverage. Besides the traditional GPS function, it will provide real-time communication and tracking capabilities, which means the command center can track troop's movement, down to a soldier level, if they want.
 
Last edited:

fishhead

Banned Idiot
Re: chinese satelittes

Today, China launched its new generation communication satellite for Nigeria. It's the first combo package(launch+sat) China sells. The new sat uses the new platform DFH-4.

The first DFH-4 platform sat, Sinostar-2, was launched last year but failed.


China launches communications satellite for Nigeria

XICHANG, Sichuan Province, May 14 (Xinhua) -- China on early Monday morning launched a communications satellite for Nigeria, the first of its kind in Africa and the first time a foreign buyer has purchased a Chinese satellite and its launching service.

The carrier rocket, Long March 3-B, blasted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 0:01 Monday and the northwest Xi'an Satellite Control center said the satellite had entered orbit accurately.

The Nigerian Communication Satellite, or NIGCOMSAT-1, is a super hybrid geo-stationary satellite designed to operate in Africa, parts of the Middle East and southern Europe.

The Nigerian government delegation present at the launching ceremony here include the Minister of Science and Technology and several other high-ranking officials.

The entire launching process and the ceremony was broadcast live from China by the Nigeria Television Authority.

Experts estimate that the satellite program will revolutionize telecommunications, broadcasting and broadband multimedia servicesin Africa.

It will create more than 150,000 jobs for Nigerians, save broadband users more than 95 million U.S. dollars a year, as well as providing Internet access to remote rural villages, and save more than 660 million U.S. dollars in phone call charges.

It is also expected to play key roles in e-commerce, improving government efficiency and promoting the development of the digital economy in Nigeria and throughout the entire African continent.

Hammed Rufai, managing director of the NIGCOMSAT-1 project, said the satellite would help Nigeria break free from its over-reliance on oil trade and transform itself into a knowledge-based economy.

A Nigeria space official earlier described the launch of the NIGCOMSAT-1 as "a monumental achievement for Nigerians" and "a beginning of economic and technological emancipation" of the entire African continent, Nigeria's Business Day reported last week.

The satellite will change positions in orbit until it is finally fixed at a longitude of 42 degrees east. It is expected to be put into use by Nigeria before the end of the year and has a lifespan of 15 years.

The satellite will be monitored and tracked by a ground station to be built in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, by Chinese firm Great Wall Industry Corporation, and a ground station in Kashgar, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The satellite's ground facility in Abuja "had the potential of making Nigeria a major traffic hub in the west and central African region" and will prompt Nigeria and neighboring countries to "expand their switching facilities to be able to handle international traffic", according to a Nigerian communication official.

The Chinese company will offer support services and training for Nigerian technicians.

China was awarded the deal in 2004 after it outbid 21 international rivals to secure the 311 million U.S. dollar deal.

The satellite and carrier rocket were developed by the China Academy of Space Technology and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, both under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

The launch represents the 98th flight of China's Long March series of rockets.

The satellite represents China's wish to cooperate with developing countries in the peaceful use of outer space and to promote a closer relationship between China and African countries, observers say.

China has signed several cooperative contracts offering commercial launching services for foreign satellites, said an official on space development, citing a similar satellite contract with Venezuela in November 2005 and adding that China has been commissioned to send about 30 foreign satellites into space.
 

Schumacher

Senior Member
Re: chinese satelittes

It seems this is the first comm sat for Africa. I think the more affordable Chinese tech is definitely more suitable for the developing world.
Now, all we have to do is wait for the accusations, from the usual suspects, that China's plan is to corrupt Africa with negative influences flowing from the internet & telecomm that this sat will provide. :)

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


allAfrica.com

Nigcomsat-1 Goes Into Orbit

This Day (Lagos)
NEWS
14 May 2007
Posted to the web 14 May 2007

By Oke Epia
Abuja

Nigeria made history yesterday in faraway China when she launched her communication satellite, aptly called Nigerian Communication Satellite, (NIGCOMSAT-1) as the 20-transponder mass successfully went on the 20-30 minutes trip into orbit.

First in the continent of Africa , the satellite launch, which was witnessed by top Nigerian officials, has been described as an impressive feat by President Olusegun Obasanjo, according to a statement by Mr. Felix Ale, Head of Corporate Affairs and Media at the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA).

The technology is expected to provide reliable communication satellite services to subscribers in

Nigeria and the continent, including those in the Diaspora.

Ale described the excitement at the launch site as 'electrifying', noting that the Director-General of NASRDA, Professor Robert Ajayi Boroffice, had immediately informed Obasanjo of the success of the event.

According to him, "Boroffice has also called Obasanjo to inform him of the success of the launch. The President was impressed and full of praise for NASRDA.

Ale said that the NASRDA boss described the launch as a monumental technological leap and victory for Africa .

"With the successful launch of NIGCOMSAT-1, technological revolution in Africa has started as nobody can stop it."

Among Nigerian officials present at the launch were the country's Ambassador to China , Ambassador J.O Coker.

He also reported that his Boroffice thanked Obasanjo for the confidence reposed in the Agency to embark on the project.

The NigcomSat-1 was launched into geosynchronous orbit from the Xichang satellite launch centre.

The NASRDA also said in a statement that the technology is a super hybrid geo-stationary satellite designed to operate in C, KU, KA and L bands and wholly owned by Nigeria .

NigcomSat-1 has Africa, part of Middle East and Southern Europe as its footprint, the release explained.

Copyright © 2007 This Day. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
 

fishhead

Banned Idiot
Re: chinese satelittes

The pressure is extremely high for Chinese since Sinostar-2 solar panel failed to open, that's supposed to do the verification of the new DFH-4 platform.

BTW, the sat is very good for the Africa since their geographical condition makes the fiber very expensive, laying them in tropical forest or desert is not a easy thing. Nigeria can even make a few bucks by renting part of the sat transponders out.

It's said Sinostar-3 will be launched this month also with DFH-4 platform.
 

Schumacher

Senior Member
Re: chinese satelittes

The highlighted parts below offer some clues as to why Africa-China cooperation is not well-received in some quarters.


Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Nigerians look up to new satellite
May 15, 2007 04:11 Beijing Time

Nigerian stakeholders in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are optimistic that Sunday's launch of the Nigeria Communication Satellite (NigcomSat-1) will halt capital flight.

In a random sampling of opinions on the project launched in China, the stakeholders posit that NigcomSat-1 will change the face of communication in Africa.

President of Nigerian Internet Group Larne Ajayi said the satellite would reverse the status of Nigeria from an importer to exporter of international bandwidth.

Nigeria is spending more than 10 million U.S. dollars annually on the importation of bandwidth from Europe and America to facilitate Internet access, telephony and broadcasting in the country, he said.

Ajayi said with the satellite in orbit, Nigeria had emerged as real time player in the global ICT industry as it would now sell bandwidth and other accessories to Africa, Europe and America.

He said the development had confirmed the status of Nigeria as a giant on the African continent, noting that "Nigeria achieved a feat that the whole of Africa has been battling to achieve in the past 10 years."

"RASCOM, a communication satellite initiative of African countries has been on the drawing board for the past 10 years but within three years Nigeria was able to launch its own satellite," he said.

Executive Vice-Chairman of the National e-government strategies, Dr. Olu Agunloye described the launch as a demonstration of government's political will to ensure Nigeria became a major player in the ICT industry.

"The biggest achievement in the launch of the satellite is being able to take the political will and step to do what most developed countries wish we have not done," he said.

Agunloye said with government business going on-line and the introduction of e-commerce, e-trade, e-health, e-banking and the deployment of Internet services across the country, a lot of bandwidth would be consumed at a little cost.

"A lot of foreign exchange will now be saved from the deployment of the various ICT tools and products nationwide," he said.

He was optimistic that with NigcomSat-1, Nigeria would benefit from the global ICT fund as it would become a major player in the new tool of global communication.

Nyinbi Odero, an ICT expert, said the launch of the satellite would result in a tremendous boom in the nation's communication sector.

Odero said in Nigeria, which hitherto relied on foreign nations for the acquisition of bandwidths and other transponder that aid communication, would now turn to cheap and quality alternatives.

"One of the greatest significance of the launch of NigcomSat-1is that it will reduce Internet cost and enhance its penetration and access," he said.

Odero, who is project manager with the Bureau for Public Sector Reform, called for the exploration of public-private-partnership arrangement to maximize the use of the satellite infrastructure.

NigcomSat-1 was launched into geosynchronous orbit from the Xichang satellite launch center in China on Sunday. NigcomSat-1 is a super hybrid geostationary satellite designed to operate in C, KU, KA and L bands and wholly owned by Nigeria. It has Africa, part of Middle East and Southern Europe as its footprint.

The satellite, which was designed, built and launched by the China Great Walls Industry Corporation, was intended to meet the information and communication technology needs of Africa.
This article is from:
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
 

scorpioking

New Member
Paying much lower cost, a lot of developing countries can get products they want but can't efford from China, it makes them feel that their resources become more valuable compared with the price offered by westerner. I believe it is fair to say China is not colonizing Africa but offering a different options to African.

待命5月发射的三颗星除了西昌27基地的尼日利亚星和鑫诺三号,另一颗是在酒泉,就是20基地,不是之前说的太原25基地。

三颗星顺序:
1 尼星 西昌 东四平台
2 XXX (以当时报导的名称为准) 酒泉 新平台首发星
3 鑫诺三号 西昌 东三平台

具体日期......不出意外都会在5月升空
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


3 satelites will be launched in May, Nigerian one is the first, following by Sino 3 and another one (not mention the name)
 
Last edited by a moderator:

fishhead

Banned Idiot
Re: chinese satelittes

Not sure if anybody noticed this news:

吉林日报讯(记者孙春艳)由中科院长春光机所承担的高分辨率航天光学遥感器项目验收评审会,近日在北京召开。评审委员会认为:长春光机所研制的高分辨率航天光学遥感器,采用了离轴三反光学系统方案,实现了长焦距、大口径、大视场、高分辨率成像;突破了大口径SiC离轴非球面加工检测、计算机辅助装调等一系列关键技术,使我国成为世界上继美、法之后少数几个掌握高分辨率光学遥感器技术的国家。
长春光机所取得这样的重大突破,得益于多年的技术积累和大胆创新。该所科研人员充分利用在光学遥感器研制中多年积累的基础和经验,攻克诸多技术难关;在项目研制过程中,科研人员大胆采用了国际先进的离轴三反光学系统,实现了总体性能指标的优化。

China made a break through in manufacturing off-axis, 3-mirror space telescope, esp the large diameter non-sphere SiC lens.

The news said it's after US and France, among the few matering this technolgy. Probably means that will psuh Chinese spy sat resolution well beyond meter level.
 

szbd

Junior Member
Re: chinese satelittes

It's called "Three-Mirror Anastigmat". It can cancel all aberrations (light from the same point of object passing different part of periscope can concentrate at the same point), observe wide field, unvignetted (no leak of light, that is no blur), flat focal plane (light of different color will concentrate on the same focal plane).

Yes, the resolution of Chinese spy satelite is going to 0.1m.
 

RedMercury

Junior Member
Re: chinese satelittes

Curiously, a Google search indicates it is patented :D Oh noes, they will sue Chinese military intelligence... But anyway, what's the cutting edge resolution now? How many generations is TMA behind?
 

szbd

Junior Member
Re: chinese satelittes

TMA is the cutting edge technology. But the actual resolution depends on manufacture detail. Also the actual shape of the mirrors. The best resolution now should be 0.1m, if those bloody americans didn't lie.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top