CNSA news, Updates and Discussions

[skywatcher]

A Long March 2D rocket launched a Gaofen 9-05 Earth observation satellite on 23 Aug 2020.
It is the 343 flight of Long March series.

China enters launch season of the year. Intense launches scheduled for next two months.

A Long March 2F rocket will launch a classified Chinese spaceplane on 4 Sept 2020.

A Long March 4B rocket will launch a Gaofen 11-02 Earth observaton satellite on 0X Sept 2020.

Sea launch: A Long March 11 rocket will launch nine Gaofen 03-1 satellites from East China Sea on 15 Sept 2020.

A Kuaizhou 1A rocket will launch a Gaofen 02C satellite on 2X Sept 2020.

A Long March 4B rocket will launch a Haiyang 2C ocean monitoring satellite on 22 Sept 2020.

A Kuaizhou 1A rocket will launch a Gaofen 02D satellite on Sept/Oct 2020.

A Galactic Energy Ceres-1 rocket will launch two satellites on 25 Sept 2020.

A Kuaizhou 1A rocket will launch a Gaofen 02F satellite on Sept/Oct 2020.

A Long March 6 rocket will launch 13 Satellogic cubesats for Argentina on XX Oct 2020.

A Long March 3B rocket will launch a Gaofen 13 Earth observation satellite on XX Oct 2020.

A Long March 3B rocket will launch a Tiantong-1-02 communication satellite on XX Oct 2020.

An iSpace Hyperbola-1 rocket will launch three satellites on 22 Oct 2020.(possible delay)

A Long March 6 rocket will launch a QL-1 synthetic aperture radar satellite and a QL-4 optical remote sensing satellite on 31 Oct 2020.

 

[skywatcher]

A Long March 2D rocket launched a Gaofen 9-05 Earth observation satellite on 23 Aug 2020.
It is the 343 flight of Long March series.

A human-rated Long March 2F rocket launched a mysterious payload on 4 Sept 2020. Little is known about the mission. Various sources claim it's an experimental Chinese spaceplane. China's state media says the mission's goal is to conduct relevant experiments and to provide technological support for China's peaceful use of space.
It is the 344 flight of Long March series.

 

[skywatcher]

A human-rated Long March 2F rocket launched a mysterious payload on 4 Sept 2020. Little is known about the mission. Various sources claim it's an experimental Chinese spaceplane. China's state media says the mission's goal is to conduct relevant experiments and to provide technological support for China's peaceful use of space.
It is the 344 flight of Long March series.

China carries out secretive launch of ‘reusable experimental spacecraft’

China launched an experimental reusable spacecraft Friday following months of low-key preparations at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

spacenews.com

China carries out secretive launch of ‘reusable experimental spacecraft’

HELSINKI — China launched an experimental reusable spacecraft Friday following months of low-key preparations at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

A Long March 2F launch vehicle delivered the spacecraft into orbit following launch at an unspecified time.

Chinese state media Xinhua reported mission success just under three hours after the opening of the launch window at 1:23 a.m. Eastern. The ‘reusable experimental spacecraft’ is currently in orbit carrying out tests.

“After a period of in-orbit operation, the spacecraft will return to the scheduled landing site in China. It will test reusable technologies during its flight, providing technological support for the peaceful use of space,” the Xinhua report stated.

Airspace closure notices released Thursday provided the first indication of an imminent launch. No images of the spacecraft nor the launch have so far been released. An apparent higher-than-usual level of security surrounding the mission also prevented bystander images appearing on social media.

China stated in 2017 that it aimed to test a reusable spaceplane in 2020. The United States currently has its U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane carrying out its sixth mission in orbit.

Apparent modification work had been carried out on the launch tower for the Long March 2F launch vehicle in recent months. This led to speculation that the work would allow a launch with a payload wider than a standard Long March 2F mission.

The Long March 2F has launched 14 times, lofting crewed and uncrewed Shenzhou missions and two Tiangong space labs.

Yuanwang space tracking ships were already positioned in areas in the Atlantic and oceans to support a spacecraft launching into a roughly 45 degree inclination orbit from Jiuquan.

A spaceplane project was included in a 2017 ‘space transportation roadmap’ released by CASC. A goal of 2030 for developing a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spaceplane was also noted. The plans also included fully reusable launch vehicles and, around 2045, a nuclear-powered shuttle.

China carries out secretive launch of ‘reusable experimental spacecraft’

China launched an experimental reusable spacecraft Friday following months of low-key preparations at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

spacenews.com

 

[skywatcher]

A Galactic Energy Ceres-1 rocket will launch two satellites on 25 Sept 2020.

 

[skywatcher]

A Long March 2F rocket launched a mysterious payload on 4 Sept 2020.
Little is known about the mission. Various sources claim it's an experimental Chinese spaceplane.
It is the 344 flight of Long March series.

A Long March 4B rocket launched a Gaofen 11-02 Earth observaton satellite on 7 Sept 2020.
It is the 345 flight of Long March series.

Coming up next:
A Long March 11 rocket will launch nine Gaofen 03-1 satellites from East China Sea on 15 Sept 2020. [Sea launch]

 

[skywatcher]

artistic rendering of Chang'e 5 moon sample return spacecraft

The 8.2 ton Chang'e 5 spacecraft is composed of four parts:
1.Descent Module
2.Ascent Module
3.Orbiting Module
4.Reentry Module

The Descent Module would collect about 2 kg of moon samples from 2 metres below the surface and place them in Ascent Module that will be launched from lunar surface. The Ascent Module will make an automatic lunar orbit rendezvous and docking with Orbiting Module that would transfer the samples into Reentry Module for their delivery to Earth.

The reentry module is similar to Chang'e 5 T1 below

 

[skywatcher]

Rare look inside China's rocket production factory

 

[skywatcher]

Components of the next Long March 5 rocket in preparation for loading and shipping to Hainan launch center for November mission from Tianjin port yesterday.

 

[skywatcher]

Space Transportation. New startup? Hmm...seriously?

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[skywatcher]

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Chinese commercial launch startup LandSpace raises $175 million in Series C+ funding

Landspace 80 ton thrust liquid oxygen methane engine TQ-12 test firing

Chinese startup Landspace raised $175 million(1.2 billion Yuan) in Series C+ round of funding. The new funding was jointly led by Sequoia Capital, Country Garden Capital, Matrix Partners, Co-Stone Capital and more. The $175 million will be used for development of the 80 ton thrust liquid oxygen methane engine TQ-12 and the Zhuque-2 launcher scheduled for maiden flight in early 2021. The cumulative funding of LandSpace has totaled nearly $400 million since 2015.

Artistic impression of Landspace medium lift methalox rocket Zhuque-2

蓝箭航天完成新一轮12亿元融资 瞄准中大型运载火箭市场机遇 | 航天爱好者网

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[skywatcher]

China enters launch season of the year. Intense launches scheduled for next two months.

A Long March 2F rocket will launch a classified Chinese spaceplane on 4 Sept 2020.

A Long March 4B rocket will launch a Gaofen 11-02 Earth observaton satellite on 0X Sept 2020.

Sea launch: A Long March 11 rocket will launch nine Gaofen 03-1 satellites from East China Sea on 15 Sept 2020.

A Kuaizhou 1A rocket will launch a Gaofen 02C satellite on 2X Sept 2020.

A Long March 4B rocket will launch a Haiyang 2C ocean monitoring satellite on 22 Sept 2020.

A Kuaizhou 1A rocket will launch a Gaofen 02D satellite on XX Sept/Oct 2020.

A Galactic Energy Ceres-1 rocket will launch two satellites on 25 Sept 2020.

A Kuaizhou 1A rocket will launch a Gaofen 02F satellite on XX Sept/Oct 2020.

A Long March 6 rocket will launch 10 Satellogic cubesats for Argentina on XX Oct 2020.

A Long March 3B rocket will launch a Gaofen 13 Earth observation satellite on XX Oct 2020.

A Long March 3B rocket will launch a Tiantong-1-02 communication satellite on XX Oct 2020.

An iSpace Hyperbola-1 rocket will launch three satellites on 22 Oct 2020.(possible delay)

A Long March 6 rocket will launch a QL-1 synthetic aperture radar satellite and a QL-4 optical remote sensing satellite on 31 Oct 2020.

Updated Chinese launch schedule for rest of the year.

A Long March 2F rocket launched a classified Chinese spaceplane on 4 Sept 2020.

A Long March 4B rocket launched a Gaofen 11-02 Earth observaton satellite on 7 Sept 2020.

A Kuaizhou 1A rocket will launch a Gaofen 02C satellite on 12 Sept 2020.

Sea launch: A Long March 11 rocket will launch nine Gaofen 03-1 satellites from East China Sea on 15 Sept 2020.

A Long March 4B rocket will launch a Haiyang 2C ocean monitoring satellite on 22 Sept 2020.

A Long March 4B rocket will launch two Huanjin A/B satellites on 2X Sept 2020.

A Kuaizhou 1A rocket will launch a Gaofen 02D satellite on XX Sept/Oct 2020.

A Galactic Energy Ceres-1 rocket will launch two satellites on 1X Oct 2020.

A Kuaizhou 1A rocket will launch a Gaofen 02F satellite on XX Sept/Oct 2020.

A Long March 6 rocket will launch 10 Satellogic cubesats for Argentina on 15 Oct 2020.

A Long March 3B rocket will launch a Gaofen 13 Earth observation satellite on XX Oct 2020.

A Long March 3B rocket will launch a Tiantong-1-02 communication satellite on XX Oct 2020.

An iSpace Hyperbola-1 rocket will launch three satellites on XX Oct/Nov 2020.

A Long March 6 rocket will launch a QL-1 synthetic aperture radar satellite and a QL-4 optical remote sensing satellite on 1X Nov 2020.

A Long March 4B rocket will launch a Haiyang-3-01 ocean monitoring satellite on XX Nov 2020.

A Long March 6 rocket will launch a Qilu SAR satellite, four optical satellites and a remote sensing satellite on 3 Nov 2020.

A Kuaizhou 1A rocket will launch two navigation augmentation satellites on XX Nov 2020.

A Long March 5 rocket will launch the Chang'e 5 Moon sample return spacecraft on 24 Nov 2020.
The robotic mission is to retrieve 2kg of Moon soil and is the first lunar sample return attempt since Soviet Luna 24 in 1976.

A Long March 11 rocket will launch a Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor (GECAM) satellite on 9 Dec 2020.

A Smart Dragon 1 rocket will launch two Earth observation satellites on XX Dec 2020.

A Kuaizhou 1A rocket will launch two satellites S3,S4 on XX Dec 2020.

A Long March 8 rocket will launch a synthetic aperture radar satellite and Taihu-1 satellite on XX Dec 2020.

A Smart Dragon 1 rocket will launch four Hainan-1 satellites on XX Dec 2020.

A Long March 4C rocket will launch a Yaogan 30-07 satellite on XX Dec 2020.

A Long March 6 rocket will launch four satellites on XX Dec 2020.

A Long March 3B rocket will launch a Tiantong-1-03 communication satellite on XX Dec 2020.

A XX rocket will launch a Jilin-1 Rubik's Cube 01A satellite on XX Dec 2020.

 

[skywatcher]

A Long March 4B rocket launched a Gaofen 11-02 Earth observaton satellite on 7 Sept 2020.
It is the 345 flight of Long March series.

A Kuaizhou 1A rocket failed to launch a Gaofen 02C high resolution remote sensing satellite on 12 Sept 2020.
It is the 13 flight of Kuaizhou series.

Coming up next:
A Long March 11 rocket will launch nine Gaofen 03-1 satellites from East China Sea on 15 Sept 2020. [Sea launch]

 

[Mikesingh]

China's Satellite Launcher Fails On First Flight; Beijing Tight-lipped On 4th 2020 Debacle

China's optical remote-sensing satellite Jilin-1 Gaofen 02C failed to enter the pre-set orbit on Saturday. The mission was the fourth Chinese failure of 2020.

China's optical remote-sensing satellite Jilin-1 Gaofen 02C failed to enter the pre-set orbit on Saturday, Beijing's official media reported. The satellite was launched aboard the Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 1:02 pm (local time). The launch centre said the mission failed because of abnormal performance, state-run Global Times reported.

Reasons for the failure under investigation

Specific reasons for the failure are under investigation, it said. A video of the launch published after the mission showed the rocket taking off from Jiuquan, and the Kuaizhou 11 appeared to fly normally through the burn of its first stage motor. According to media reports, two more solid-fueled stages were expected to fire to place the mission’s two satellite payloads into orbit. Chinese officials did not say at what point in the flight the rocket malfunctioned.

China's satellite launcher fails on first flight; Beijing tight-lipped on 4th 2020 debacle- Republic World

China's optical remote-sensing satellite Jilin-1 Gaofen 02C failed to enter the pre-set orbit on Saturday, Beijing's official media reported. The satellite was launched aboard the Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 1:02 pm (local time). The launch centre said the...

www.republicworld.com

Chinese stuff after all! No wonder these things failed - not just one but four back-to-back launches!! Aur inko Ladakh chahiye!!!

 

[rockdog]

Chinese stuff after all! No wonder these things failed - not just one but four back-to-back launches!! Aur inko Ladakh chahiye!!!

I heard India didn't fail any launch at year of 2020, is that true? Well done!

 

[rockdog]

CZ-11 made first sea launch, with 9 sats...

 

[smooth manifold]

A Long March 4B rocket launched a Gaofen 11-02 Earth observaton satellite on 7 Sept 2020.
It is the 345 flight of Long March series.

A Long March 11 rocket launched nine Gaofen 03-1 satellites from East China Sea on 15 Sept 2020. [Sea launch]
It is the 346 flight of Long March series.

Coming up next:
A Long March 4B rocket will launch a Haiyang 2C ocean monitoring satellite on 21 Sept 2020.

 

[smooth manifold]

CZ-11 made first sea launch, with 9 sats...

It's not China's first sea launch. China's first sea launch happened on 5 June 2019.

List of Long March launches - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[smooth manifold]

Chinese startup Space Pioneer raises $14.7 million in series A round funding

Chinese space launch startup Space Pioneer, or Tianbin Keji in Chinese, announced that it has raised $14.7 million(100 million Yuan) in Series A round funding.

The funding is led by Zhejiang University and Zahe Investment Co., Ltd. Space Pioneer’s main business is the development of HCP liquid propellant, HCP rocket engine and HCP rocket.

For more information about HCP rocket, visit:

Nitrous oxide - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Nitrous oxide as a rocket propellant

Nitrous oxide is introduced as a multi-purpose propellant for spacecraft. Potential space applications of this propellant are given. Based on comparis…

www.sciencedirect.com

Monopropellant rocket - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[smooth manifold]

A Long March 11 rocket launched nine Gaofen 03-1 satellites from East China Sea on 15 Sept 2020. [Sea launch]
It is the 346 flight of Long March series.

A Long March 4B rocket launched a Haiyang 2C ocean monitoring satellite from Jiuquan on 21 Sept 2020.
It is the 347 flight of Long March series.

Orbital launches from Chinese launch centers: 377
(Long March/Kuaizhou/Smart Dragon/Private launchers)
Jiuquan - 134
Xichang - 146
Taiyuan - 87
Wenchang - 8
Yellow Sea - 2

Coming up next:
A Long March 4B rocket will launch two Huanjin A/B remote sensing satellites on 2X Sept 2020.

 

[skywatcher]

CASC: China's first closed expander cycle methalox engine tested on 15 Sept 2020.

video:

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1yf4y1D7kZ

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