China's Space Program News Thread

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In an interview with the deputy chief designer of Shenzhou spacecraft, we learn that

* Given the way that the thermal protection layer is consumed, he said that is consistent with calculations, and it validated the new materials that allowed the capsule to be reduce by about 8.7 kg of mass while providing the same level of protection.

* The parachute of the SZ-9 capsule was cut by a manual control while on SZ-8 the it is cut automatically when the capsule hit the ground.

* The configuration of the Shenzhou is now frozen since SZ-8, although small improvements will continue to be made on the following spacecraft.

[video=youtube;314CP7PqT-E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=314CP7PqT-E[/video]

Can you provide any additional information on the proposed Chinese DSN?

I find this :

* Ground control stations in Kashgar and Qingdao.
* 18 meter antennas in Qingdao and Kashgar
* A 50 meter antenna at Miyun, near Beijing.
* A 40 meter antenna in Yunnan.
* 40-meter antenna on Phoenix Mountain in Kunming,
* 2 antenna at shanghai and urumqi
* 3 Yuanwang ships

Planned improvements

* Upgrades to the ground facilities at Kashgar and Qingdao, and a deep-space ground control station at Jiamusi.
* A new 35-meter antenna at the Kashgar station.
* A 64-meter antenna in Jiamusi.
* A 65-meter antenna in shanghai.
* FAST(??)
* 110-m radio telescope at Xinjiang

By 2016, the intent is to construct additional ground stations in South America.

 

[Mysterre]

Those words about inferiority are yours not mine. Besides until China gets into a real scrape know one knows what the true capabilities of their systems are.

These words may not have been spoken by you, but they seep out of every pore of your body and dribble on to SDF pretty much every single day. There is no point in you trying to deny it.

Walk before you can run, it's a bit of a daft question, isn't it?

Yinghuo 1 was meant to orbit mars but the russian rocket failed...

And frankly at this point I'm not sure china has a rocket powerful enough to send decent sized orbiters or landers to other planets. Until CZ-5 is mature 2014 onwards this probably won't change.

Plus there is no hurry to launch these types of missions. I think the more pressing missions for the Chinese space program are the Chang'e unmanned lunar program, the manned space station program, and manned lunar landing program. These programs have far greater potential for military, technological, geopolitical, and possibly even economic gains compared to unmanned planetary exploration.

 

[NikeX]

These words may not have been spoken by you, but they seep out of every pore of your body and dribble on to SDF pretty much every single day. There is no point in you trying to deny it.

Whatever

---------- Post added at 10:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 PM ----------

Plus there is no hurry to launch these types of missions. I think the more pressing missions for the Chinese space program are the Chang'e unmanned lunar program, the manned space station program, and manned lunar landing program. These programs have far greater potential for military, technological, geopolitical, and possibly even economic gains compared to unmanned planetary exploration.

Why are the Chang'e lunar program and manned lunar missions seen as more pressing rather than basic science in space. The Titan lander (Huygens) was a Eurospace mission that hitched a ride on the Cassini orbiter. Basic science and the advancement of knowledge should be the overriding goal of any space program don't you think? Or is it a thinly veiled set of goals like you outlined in your post the main goal of achievement?

 

[paintgun]

Whatever

---------- Post added at 10:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 PM ----------



Why are the Chang'e lunar program and manned lunar missions seen as more pressing rather than basic science in space. The Titan lander (Huygens) was a Eurospace mission that hitched a ride on the Cassini orbiter. Basic science and the advancement of knowledge should be the overriding goal of any space program don't you think? Or is it a thinly veiled set of goals like you outlined in your post the main goal of achievement?

it's all part of space science and space exploration, no different from the US or USSR/Russia

i will echo Blitzo regarding China's deep space and planetary exploration, China does not have the rocket until CZ-5 comes online, plus Hainan launch base

Besides until China gets into a real scrape know one knows what the true capabilities of their systems are.

you aside, i think there is not a single person here that will question such a thing

 

[Mysterre]

Whatever

GOOD. I'm glad you don't dispute this point.

Why are the Chang'e lunar program and manned lunar missions seen as more pressing rather than basic science in space. The Titan lander (Huygens) was a Eurospace mission that hitched a ride on the Cassini orbiter. Basic science and the advancement of knowledge should be the overriding goal of any space program don't you think? Or is it a thinly veiled set of goals like you outlined in your post the main goal of achievement?

WTF are you talking about, "thinly veiled"? What about any of those goals were presented as thinly veiled? A manned space program is not absolutely necessary to "basic science" research. It is always far more about subjects much more down to earth, and you're incorrect in your thinking if you think that the US and the Soviet Union didn't have exactly the same motivations that China has now for its manned space program: as I said, geopolitical, military, technological, and in the case of the manned lunar program, possible economic gains. Nothing to veil here, and the fact that you read "thinly veiled" into my post speaks volumes about what goes on inside your head. Problem?

 

[AssassinsMace]

NikeX is like CBS news. The day of the return of Shenzhou 9 hailing China's first woman in space after only a couple manned missions faster than any other country, CBS only reported a story about how China is a sexist country because women over 35 can't find a man to marry. Interesting how I heard something similar in the US that said single women over 35 are more likely to be struck by lightning than get married.

 

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leaving the capsule

[video=youtube;MODWMcyw3FE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MODWMcyw3FE[/video]

 

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On June 28, SZ-9 simulated the approach phase to a TG-1 just after being separated from it. Controlled by Wang Liu, it arrived successively at 140m, 400m and 5km from TG-1. He then made the same operation but in the opposite direction to approach TQ-1 at 140m. he had not done this in the manual docking because it is the autopilot which brought him to 140m "parking point".

 

[stardave]

NikeX is like CBS news. The day of the return of Shenzhou 9 hailing China's first woman in space after only a couple manned missions faster than any other country, CBS only reported a story about how China is a sexist country because women over 35 can't find a man to marry. Interesting how I heard something similar in the US that said single women over 35 are more likely to be struck by lightning than get married.

This is the "free media" for you, I remember when the Boxili incident broke out, there was not enough news to go around, they reported all the news, and when they don't have any more news, they use experts to write commentators to finally prove their long hold believe that China is corrupted/falling apart/not democratic/etc... And they take any stupid rumor as frontline breaking news!! China Coup!! Boxili mistress!! Boxili's wife/son!! etc...

But when it come to Shenzhou 9... you get 1/100 of the news coverage, and when you do, most of them will be sure to mention that China is 60 years behind US, and China's space program is CLOSELY connect with their military, and China's space program is base on technology from Russia etc...

Yep, don't you love our "free media" or what?

 

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more pics