Discussion The Ultimate Chinese Space Discussion Thread!

[Soheil_Esy]

China's Space News Updates June 2015-

Chang'e 5 News Updates

Chang'e 5 - CZ-5 R/B separation tests completed

http://www.calt.com/ZiXunZhongXin/ZhongYaoXinWen/Detail/?ContentId=12030

2015/06/23

Meanwhile tests of CE-5 lunar lander continue

http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n133097/c954180/content.html

2015/07/07

Lunar landing simulations completed with success

http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n216/c983843/content.html

2015/07/10

First simulations of CE-5 Return Stage's Lunar lift-off completed

http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n214/c987064/content.html

2015/07/21

Lunar return stage's third phase of plume testing completed

http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n214/c993565/content.html

CZ-5 News Updates

CZ-5 first stage's first test firings successful

2015-03-23

http://tech.hexun.com/2015-03-23/174319110.html

Separation tests of CZ-5B payload fairing successful

2015/06/17

The fairing has a Ø 5.2m, length of 20.5m and mass of 4t

http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n214/c952911/content.html

CZ-5 second stage's first test firings successful

2015-07-24

http://www.sastind.gov.cn/n112/n117/c6078036/content.html

2015/07/24

The left side is five meters in diameter, the second stage's liquid hydrogen tank; to the right is the 3.35 m diameter second stage's liquid oxygen tank.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/rocket/CZ-5/116.html

2015-07-24

Chinese scientists on Friday successfully tested the power system of a Long March-5 carrier rocket scheduled for flight in 2016.

Development of the rocket, the fifth-generation launch vehicle of the Long March family, has entered a "runoff" phase, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

The rocket will have a payload capacity of 25 tonnes to low Earth orbits, or 14 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit, about twice the current capacity. The would-be capacity will be equivalent to that of mainstream carrier rockets now in use around the world.

The rocket will serve the final chapter of China's three-step -- orbiting, landing and returning -- lunar program and the building of manned space stations.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-07/24/c_134444757.htm

CZ-7 News Updates

2015/07/08

The first liquid oxygen tank for CZ-7 booster had been transported to Tianjin for assembly. It is 12 meter long. X-ray scan, liquid fueling and leak detection already conducted. Full assembly scheduled to be completed by end of 2015. First flight expected in 2016.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/rocket/CZ-7/CZ-7-liquid-booster.html

2015/07/22

CZ-7 core stage's modal test completed

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/rocket/CZ-7/199.html

TG-2 News Updates

Space Science Experiment Designed by Hong Kong Secondary School Students

23 May 2015

http://spaceexperiment.hkpc.org/gallery/

New robotic arm and airlock section added to TG-2

Cargo ship TZ-1 expected to dock with TG-2

Space robotics laboratory at the University HIT (Harbin Institute of Technology)

Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RmDdNfS0NEM
0m30s-2m04s

Another robotic arm designed by CAST

2015/06/11

CAST (China Academy of Space Technology) of CCAC group completed the development of its third generation optical sensor for orbital docking. It will be used on the second space laboratory TG-2 and future Chinese space station.

http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n214/c948668/content.html

Start of Assembly of CZ-2F for the 2016 TG-2 launch

2015-07-24

Completion of assembly scheduled for August 2015; TG-2 target spacecraft to be launched in 2016

http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MjM...n=f3b76261053a199f31386592b3d63e0c&scene=5#rd

China's Space Station News updates

2015

Construction to start in 2018, to be completed in 2022

2015/04/30

Conception of Electrical system validated

http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n142/n154/n188/c908142/content.html

2015/05/19

Static structural test of core module's connexion compartment completed with success

http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n216/c921741/content.html

2015-06-30

First integrated test of the space station's vacuum pump completed with success in the thermal vacuum test stand.

Development enters prototype phase.

http://www.casc11.com/news/show.asp?id=1161

 

[Soheil_Esy]

China to launch recoverable satellite SJ-10 in 2016

2015-07-23

Chinese scientists are planning to launch a retrievable scientific research satellite in the first half of 2016, researchers with the project announced on Thursday.

The satellite, SJ-10, will carry out research in "microgravity and space life science" to provide scientific support to manned space missions and space scientists on Earth, said project chief Hu Wenrui.

All key components of the satellite have been tested and are functioning well, and it is expected to launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province, Hu said.

The satellite will carry out 19 experiments in six fields: microgravity fluid physics, microgravity combustion, space material science, space radiation effect, microgravity biological effect and space biological techniques.

Eight experiments in fluid physics will be conducted in the orbital module, and the other experiments will be conducted in the reentry capsule, which is designed to return to Earth after 12 days in orbit. The orbital module will keep operating in orbit for three more days.

According to Huang Chenguang, vice head of the Institute of Mechanics with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), SJ-10 is the second satellite in a space studies program consisting of five scientific satellites.

The SJ-10 project has been carried out under 11 institutes of the CAS and six Chinese universities in cooperation with the European Space Agency and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

The first satellite of the space studies program is a dark matter particle explorer satellite, expected to be launched by the end of this year.

The program also plans to launch a satellite for quantum science experiments and a hard X-ray telescope for black hole and neutron star studies within the next two years.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-07/23/c_134441218.htm

2015-07-24

Photo taken on July 23, 2015 shows a drop tower at the National Microgravity Laboratory in Beijing, capital of China. Experiments to be carried out by the SJ-10, a retrievable scientific research satellite, were tested in the laboratory. Chinese scientists are planning to launch the SJ-10 satellite in the first half of 2016, researchers with the project announced on Thursday. The satellite will carry out research in "microgravity and space life science" to provide scientific support to manned space missions and space scientists on Earth, said project chief Hu Wenrui.

Hu Wenrui, chief of the SJ-10 project, speaks during a press conference on SJ-10, a retrievable scientific research satellite, in Beijing, capital of China, July 23, 2015.

A press conference on SJ-10, a retrievable scientific research satellite, is held in Beijing, capital of China, July 23, 2015.

File photo shows the SJ-10, a retrievable scientific research satellite, in a test.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2015-07/24/c_134442016.htm

Various payload being delivered since May 2015

 

[Soheil_Esy]

Tian Qin space gravitational wave detection program (天琴空间引力波探测计划)

Google translation

2015/07/23

"Tian Qin" requires ground infrastructure for research: including gravitational theory, gravitation space experiments and precision measurement technology, which requires inter-satellite laser ranging technology, drag-free control technology, lunar laser ranging technology, system simulation and analysis of micro-satellite technology in five areas.

Zhongshan University research team is being set up to carry out pre-study of space gravitational wave detection scheduled tasks, develop the implementation plan and roadmap of China's space exploration program gravitational waves, that "Tian Qin" space gravitational wave detection plan and carry out key technology research.

President of the Institute of Astronomy and Space Sciences, Sun Yat-sen Li Miao said, "Tian Qin" will require about 100 researchers groups, 400 to 500 people for research, engineering and technical staff and postdoctoral.

Tian Qin program will be divided into four main phases: the first phase is complete lunar / satellite laser ranging systems, large laser gyro plan ground support facilities; the second phase is completed without drag control, spaceborne laser interferometer and other key technologies verification, and testing space equivalence principle experiment; the third phase is completed high-precision inertial sensing, key inter-satellite laser ranging technology verification, as well as the global gravity field measurements; fourth stage is completed all of the key technologies required for space gravitational wave detection , launching three high-orbit satellites for Earth gravitational wave detection. Completion of all four sub-plan, about 20 years, an investment of about 15 billion RMBs.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/Space-Science/Tianqin/tianqin.html

 

[Soheil_Esy]

China's new solid rocket strap-on booster

2015/07/17

China has developed new 2 meters diameter segmented solid booster engine. The new booster will serve as China's new generation medium, large and heavy strap-on solid rocket boosters.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/engine/SRB/2m-diameter.html

 

[Soheil_Esy]

Xichang Satellite Launch Center's Upgraded LC3

2015/07/27

Before and after upgrade

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/launch-center/XSLC/63.html

 

[Soheil_Esy]

A new generation of multi-purpose manned reusable spacecraft

Google translation

2015/07/30

From the New generation multi-purpose manned spacecraft projects, Dr. Yang Qing from the general manned spaceflight unit, completed in 12 months the whole project design to AIT's performance; breaking the model number of key technical points.

When the world was still concerned about the Shenzhou on the 10th, when the five branches of aerospace manned spacecraft has launched a new generation of general-purpose Laboratory spacecraft feasibility studies. A new generation of spacecraft technology advanced, high starting point, difficult, is to mention the level of China's manned spacecraft, on the steps of the key projects.
At the crucial moment of the demonstration program, Yang, Wu Wenrui, Dr, and many other comrades often through the night to do the program, change the design, and finally in a short period of three months to complete the multi-purpose spacecraft re-entry capsule of feasibility studies, realization the engineering project.
Today cargo spacecraft, a new generation of manned spacecraft model task is moving forward steadily, manned spacecraft will take up the new lab overall mission to manned spaceflight new journey.

Program envisages

At present, China is only one manned rocket Long March 2F, after the revamp of the Long March 5 rockets and the Long March 7 can also be used to launch a manned spacecraft. Due to a new generation of manned spacecraft technical indicators higher than the "Shenzhou" spacecraft, the entire ship will also be a significant increase in weight, the Long March 2F rocket can not meet the emission requirements of the new generation of manned spacecraft. Preliminary analysis, after the revamp of the Long March 5 and the Long March rocket launch 7 new generation of manned spacecraft into near-Earth orbit capacity respectively 14t and 20t.
Corresponding to two next-generation manned spacecraft launch vehicles shown in Figure 14, the weight was 14t and 20t. The modular design of the spacecraft, two identical spacecraft re-entry capsule, carrying different weight propellant propulsion module to accommodate different mission requirements. The main technical features of the ship are:

(1) Number of Passengers: 2 to 6;
(2) re-entry speed: Adaptation second cosmic velocity reentry;
(3) autonomous flight: ≥ 21 days;
(4) The dwell time: ≥ 2 years;
(5) The velocity increment; 14t spaceship 800m / s, 20t spacecraft 1700m / s;
(6) Task Support: 14t support near-Earth orbit spacecraft, asteroid and Mars missions, 20t spacecraft moon mission support;
(7) configuration: two cabin configuration;
(8) The aerodynamic shape: the return capsule using blunt body shape;
(9) escape way: self-powered escape tower escape or escape;
(10) re-entry heat shield material: low ablation lightweight thermal protection materials;
(11) The return capsule of the main structure: the whole wall structure;
(12) Recovery: Group umbrella + balloon, with maritime and land landing capability;
(13) Power generation: photovoltaic power generation systems;
(14) GNC: precision navigation sensor, jet control;
(15) monitoring and control communication: with black impaired communication capabilities;
(16) Reusable: primarily through landing derogations designed to ensure reusable equipment from as little impact during landing.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/new-generation-manned-spacecraft.html

2015/10/05

 

[Soheil_Esy]

Wenchang Satellite Launch Center News Update

2015/07/31

PLA 63790 infantry Unit stationed at the Wenchang space launch Center visited by Vice Governor of Hainan Province and other officials.

Launchpad for CZ-7 SLV

Launchpad for CZ-5 SLV

Launchpad for CZ-5 SLV closeup

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/launch-center/WSLC/20150730.html

 

[Soheil_Esy]

Construction of 24-story space launch center completes in S China

July 02, 2015

The construction of China's first coastal launch base has finished recently.

Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, located in south China's Hainan province, is 24 stories high and its construction began on September 14, 2009.

The new space launch center is near the Equator, so the added velocity will greatly reduce the amount of fuel needed to launch a spacecraft. In addition, giant rockets can be transported to there by sea, which will solve the transport problem for rail. It will also reduce the risks from falling rocket debris.

The Long March 5 series rockets under development can be launched here. It is reported that China's indigenous carrier rocket Long March 7 will make its first launch from this pad in 2016.

http://en.people.cn/n/2015/0702/c98649-8914628.html

 

[Soheil_Esy]

Largest domestically made 500kN satellite field shaker

2015/07/31

The largest domestically made 500kN satellite field shaker is now joining the 160KN, 200KN and 350KN series of vibration test equipment of the 8th Institute.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/224.html

 

[Soheil_Esy]

Rehearsal of CZ-7's vertical transporter in WCSLC

2015/07/31

The track from the Vertical Assembly Building to the CZ-7 dedicated launch pad is 3 km long, sharing sections with the CZ-5's common transfer track, thus making four turns of 60 degrees of 20 meters radius. Speed can not exceed 15 meters per minutes in these turns. Top speed in straight sections is limited to 30 meters per minutes. The 26 meters long, 23 meters wide 1,800 tons vertical transporter is guided by differential monorail technology. Training phase already completed by end of 2014. CZ-7 now meets all requirement for a first 2016 test flight.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/rocket/CZ-7/222.html

 

[Soheil_Esy]

Xichang Space Center August 1st Entry Ticket

Aug 1, 2015

Xichang Space Center August 1st Entry Ticket sold 100 RMB (launch not included )

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/627354353527996420

New rocket engine test stand under construction at Qingshuitou

July 27, 2015

CALT Sixth Institute 165 Department at Qingshuitou testing facilities building new rocket engine test stand

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/625897051595771904/photo/1

Wenchang Hilton

27 July, 2015

Wenchang Hilton presented as the nearest and best spot to watch launch campaign from WCSLC, distant only of 3.5 km to the space center.

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/625675747194044416

2015-05-30

The Wenchang Hilton is this city's first to be rated 5 stars, with more than 400 deluxe rooms, executive suites and villas with five restaurants and bars, a SPA experience center, outdoor swimming pool, family room, children's playground and a 24-hour gym; it can be reached from Meilan International Airport in Haikou. It will be open starting Q3 2015

http://hainan.ifeng.com/finance/zixun/detail_2015_05/30/3953585_0.shtml

Kuaizhou-1 and Kuaizhou-2 satellites

30 June, 2015

Kuaizhou-1

Kuaizhou-2

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight

Congo-1 satellite

2015/06/27

Mr. Xu Shao Project manager of the company China Great Wall Industry Corporation, Mr. Thoma Luhaka Losendjola Deputy Prime Minister in charge of PT-IT and Richard Achinda Wahilungula Managing Director of RENATELSAT posing with Congosat-1 communication satellite model at a ceremony in the Congolese capital's Chinese embassy.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/tongxin/CongoSat-1/CongoSat-1.html

China's Mars experiment with 4 astronauts and 180 days

Google translation

2015-06-18

From the Earth to the Moon required three days, from Earth to Mars a minimum of 180 days. If humans take the spacecraft to distant Mars, how to spend it in 180 days in a closed cabin? Yesterday morning, "Green Air interstellar -4 people 180 days Controlled Ecological Life Support System Integration Test" launching ceremony held in Shenzhen, the deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office Yang Liwei, was also present.

These placed in Shenzhen Institute of Space Science and Technology base south simulated space capsule looks really cottage points. However, this is not the final version completed. Read the following few pictures is not my heart feel better.

Wait until the completion of four volunteers will be completely closed cabin life simulated space 180 days, you can not get outside supplies, oxygen and water by 100% cycle, building artificial ecosystem of plants, animals and micro-organisms composed. Among them, 70% of plant production for self-sufficiency, 30% is to prepare good food. Plants including wheat.

Various agencies involved in the test are the top research institutions, and there are two in Shenzhen. The test space-Southern Institute of Technology led to the China Astronaut Research and Training Center for technical body, the Joint Research Centre for Space France, the German Aerospace Center, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Harbin Institute of Technology, Beijing Genomics Institute Shenzhen, etc. domestic and foreign agencies to start large-scale tests carried out in international cooperation.

Deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office Yang believes that the entire closed ecological life support system, including plant growth, oxygen regeneration, the use of wastewater and other space technology, after "the technology is mature, but also for the future of low-carbon technologies into these Civil done preliminary studies preparatory work. "

Yang said there is a breakthrough in space technology to do after completion of the project, but also a symbol of human life low-carbon. "This experiment will be carried out in Shenzhen, in order to promote the future more civilian aerospace technology, so that more people benefit of great significance."

September 2014, Shenzhen Academy of Space Technology inaugurated the South. The hospital is the demand for China's manned space engineering, cutting-edge technology to carry out a pre-feasibility study and key technologies, to promote important innovation platform for the development of new industries in Shenzhen aerospace and space technology achievements transformation.

Pilot project started in October 2015 in Shenzhen Institute of Space Science and Technology South. Test participants were set up 28 projects, including eight foreign participants projects, 20 projects of domestic participants. Tested four countries, foreign participants unit 8, unit 17 domestic participants.

The pilot project relevant person in charge, last year the institute in support of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, invested 42 million yuan, which lasted a year to develop the construction of Controlled Ecological Life Support System Integration Test Platform. The test platform consists of four plants cabin, two crew cabins, a cabin and a life support resource compartments, covers an area of 370 square meters, with a total volume of 1,049 cubic meters, of which plant cultivation total area of 260 square meters, is currently China's largest life in space security systems integration test means people have to carry out long-term integration Controlled Ecological Life Support System Experimental research capabilities.

Floor space capsule composed of six cabin take shape. These pods are borne by plants cabin, life support cabin, crew cabin, cabin resources and other functions. Take a look at how to simulate a space capsule interiors.

ETC..

Construction of the simulation space capsules.

Rendering of the capsules.

Capsule interior under construction.



http://news.oeeee.com/html/201506/18/268641.html

Harbin Engineering University's Multimodal Cable Driven Astronaut Training Robot

29 May, 2015

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/604296986800476160

Wind tunnel Video

2015-06-07

http://tv.cntv.cn/video/C10334/9938b0afa10c43b3aeaa9e7bbffe4ec6

 

[kuddel]

Lots of things happening there! Maybe I'll have to change my holliday plans to (re-) visit china (again)!
But I have to coordinate the dates with launch opportunities now ...

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Lots of things happening there! Maybe I'll have to change my holliday plans to (re-) visit china (again)!
But I have to coordinate the dates with launch opportunities now ...

You want to see a Chinese rocket launch? Sorry, but as of right now this opportunity is closed to any foreigner in all 3 launch bases in operation today (including - yup - me).

By next year though you might try to align your Chinese holiday and head for the "Chinese Hawaii" Hainan Island and try to see launches from the new Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, which is explicitly open to the public.

 

[kuddel]

You want to see a Chinese rocket launch? Sorry, but as of right now this opportunity is closed to any foreigner in all 3 launch bases in operation today (including - yup - me).

By next year though you might try to align your Chinese holiday and head for the "Chinese Hawaii" Hainan Island and try to see launches from the new Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, which is explicitly open to the public.

That's where this "Wenchang Hilton" is located, right?
I didn't expect to be able to see any other site anyway
Now I only have to convince my friends to go there again. Last time in that area we all had a hard time in that climate (high humidity heat is not easy for us northern europeans) But helped!

 

[Soheil_Esy]

Chang'e 5 Update Thread

Chang'e 5 News Updates

Chang'e 5 - CZ-5 R/B separation tests completed

http://www.calt.com/ZiXunZhongXin/ZhongYaoXinWen/Detail/?ContentId=12030

2015/06/23

Meanwhile tests of CE-5 lunar lander continue

http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n133097/c954180/content.html

2015/07/07

Lunar landing simulations completed with success

http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n216/c983843/content.html

2015/07/10

First simulations of CE-5 Return Stage's Lunar lift-off completed

http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n214/c987064/content.html

2015/07/17

Moondust integrated environmental vibration test

CASC Fith Institute's Aerospace Assembly and Environmental Engineering Department to develop this stand-alone test

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/Deepspace/CE-5/190.html

2015/07/21

Lunar return stage's third phase of plume testing completed

http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n214/c993565/content.html

2015/07/22

Full size plume testing validation completed

First phase of the test included four engine ignitions.

The test is the first with 1: 1 ratio full-size spacecraft plume test, the first with use of liquid hydrogen heat sink system, new vertical three-dimensional thrust vectoring and torque measuring systems, plume pressure and heat flow measurement systems.

With the following successful tests, China becomes the world's only second nation after the U.S. to master heat sink using liquid hydrogen attitude and orbit control engine low-temperature vacuum environment plume testings. At the same time, this created a precedent for the whole country's astronautical plume testings.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/Deepspace/CE-5/122.html

2015/07/29

Chang'e 5's 3D mode camera testing

Second 3D shooting test completed

Currently, pre-television 3d red imaging system uses two cameras, delivering 5k movie quality.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/Deepspace/CE-5/215.html

2015/08/01

Chang'e 5 landing and takeoff comprehensive validation test: completion of the second phase of ignition testing

CASC also successfully carried out other tests simulating lunar surface takeoff

China's Lunar Testing Ground

Director Zhang Hongtai of CASC's 508th Research Center is in charge of these lunar testings

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/Deepspace/CE-5/166.html

2015/08/07

Chang'e-5 lander propulsion subsystem early hot fire reliability testing successful

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/Deepspace/CE-5/122.html

Multi Objective Optimization of Drill Stem′s Motion Parameter of Lunar Automatic Drill Sampling Mechanism

2015/08/03

Google translation

Analysis of the lunar soil spiral drill pipe output principles and output regolith resistance (drag torque) as well as considering the influence of lunar soil spiral groove drill driving torque, axial helix angle ranges and drill drill After the establishment of the drill into the power driving torque, axial loading force and power of the model. Using this model to analyze the drill diameter, the spiral groove depth, the impact of structural parameters width ratio and helix angle, etc.

http://www.yhxb.org.cn/CN/Y2015/V36/I6/723

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/Deepspace/CE-5/230.html

 

[Soheil_Esy]

New Yuanzheng-1 (Expedition-1) upper stage

2015/08/02

First launch in March 30, 2015, with CZ-3C carrying Beidou-3 Navigation Satellite

Second launch in July 25, 2015, with CZ-3B carrying double Beidou M1-S and M2-S Navigation Satellites

YF-50D engine will also be launched with CZ-11

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/engine/YF-50D.html

CZ-5 large size payload fairing separation ground testing and simulation

2015/08/03

Diameter of 5.2 m, length of 12.5 m, half fairing weighting >1t
http://www.yhxb.org.cn/CN/Y2015/V36/I7/833

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/rocket/CZ-5/CZ-5-Fairing.html

Tiangong-2 entering next phase of development

2015/08/03

Space application system installation and delivery of electrical measurement have started.

Tiangong-2 is similar in size with Tiangong-1 and a long-term automatic operation orbital spaceship, a short-term manned spacecraft.

The difference is that Tiangong-2 will be a modification of Tiangong-1, similar to a smaller version of the future Chinese space station; in order to achieve long-term human spaceflight environment it will be fitted with regenerative life support system to prepare for the future Chinese space station.

Chief commander of China's manned spaceflight chief designer Zhou Jianping, stated that the Tiangong-2 missions will include the launch of a manned spacecraft Shenzhou 11 and then after a new cargo ressuply spacecraft. Tiangong-2 will be refuelled for the first time through an automated dedicated transfer system with propellant carried from the TZ-1 ressuply ship.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/css/Tiangong-2/Tiangong-2.html

Launch Date Launcher Launch site Mission Class
1 end of 2016 CZ-2F JQSLC Tiangong-2 TG-2 Space lab
2 end of 2016 CZ-2F JQSLC Shenzhou-11 SZ-11 Manned
3 beginning of 2017 CZ-7 WCSLC Tianzhou-1 TZ-1 Cargo
4 2018 CZ-7 WCSLC Tianzhou-2 TZ-2 Cargo
5 2018 CZ-2F JQSLC Shenzhou-12 SZ-12 Manned
6 mid 2018 CZ-5 WCSLC Core module Space station module
7 2019 CZ-7 WCSLC Tianzhou-3 TZ-3 Cargo
8 2019 CZ-2F JQSLC Shenzhou-13 SZ-13 Manned
9 2020 CZ-7 WCSLC Tianzhou-4 TZ-4 Cargo
10 2020 CZ-2F JQSLC Shenzhou-14 SZ-14 Manned
11 2020 CZ-5B WCSLC Wentian Lab module Space station module
12 2021 CZ-7 WCSLC Tianzhou-5 TZ-5 Cargo
13 2021 CZ-2F JQSLC Shenzhou-15 SZ-15 Manned
14 2022 CZ-7 WCSLC Tianzhou-6 TZ-6 Cargo
15 2022 CZ-2F JQSLC Shenzhou-16 SZ-16 Manned
16 2022 CZ-5B WCSLC Xuntian Lab module Space station module

CZ-3B launch with Laos-1, Mid November, 2015

2015/08/04

Laos-1 a broadcast communications satellite is scheduled for launch in mid-November from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Asia Pacific Co. Ltd as a general contractor, will not only complete the satellite launch business, organize construction of satellite ground control station and a satellite broadcast communications network, in the commercial operation phase, a joint venture with the Lao government, operate satellite-based asset management, satellite TV broadcasting and satellite communications services to the Mekong region.

The CZ-3B assembly has been completed and will be tested before leaving the factory. Located on the north shore of the Mekong River in Vientiane, the Laos ground station has been completed and ready for use, according to plan, on December 2 for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of Laos. The satellite will broadcast live to the whole territory of Laos.

Laos-1's CZ-3B assembly

The Laos-1 satellite project began in 2006 to strengthen cooperation and officially launched on December 1, 2012. The project is the first Chinese spacecraft export to the ASEAN region.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/tongxin/Laosat-1/Laosat-1.html

CNADRI to build new rocket engine plant

2015/08/03

China Northwest Architecture and Design Research Institute Co. Ltd signed a new construction project with Xi'an aerospace engine plant.

Xi'an aerospace engine plant is China's only large liquid rocket engine manufacturer, ranging from Long March series, lunar exploration, manned space series of rocket engines. The new planned project will cover an area of ​​460,000 square meters.

Xi'an aerospace engine plant construction design new construction project bidding

Bidding coding: CBL_20150225_1042445241

Industry: municipal real estate construction

Location: Shaanxi Province

The project consists of eight sub-items:

A1 engineering R & D Building

A2 engine assembly plant

A3 valve turbo pump manufacturer and integrated processing plant

A4 thrust chamber assembly welding assembly and heat treatment plant

A8 Comprehensive security support center, underground garage, gates and concierge, outdoor projects.

Bidding range include: Xi'an aerospace engine plant new construction project construction design and on-site service during construction. Including engineering R & D building A1, A2 engine assembly plant, A3 valve turbo pump manufacturing and integrated processing plant, A4 thrust chamber assembly welding assembly and heat treatment plant, A8 comprehensive support package center, underground garage, gates and concierge construction design, which relates to technology, building, structure, water, electricity, heating, weak, fire, indoor and outdoor decoration; outdoor construction design engineering content related to outdoor road, outdoor lighting, outdoor pipes, park landscaping and other ancillary facilities engineering design. Showing the depth of the press, "the depth of construction design documentation requirements"

http://www.cscec.com.cn/art/2015/8/3/art_33_221118.html
http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/engine/234.html

Fengyun-2 satellite network performing team work

2015/08/04

The FY-2 serie of Geostationary Meteorological Satellites in orbit is now made of unit G, E, F and G. Unit D launched in 2006 already exceeded its initial 3 years life span in orbit. Unit G was launched on 31st December 2014.

From May 23 to July 1, relay operation was conducted with success: unit G taking the slot of unit E, unit E switching with unit D.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/Fengyun/FY-2/Fengyun2-2015.html

Wenchang Satellite Launch Center Updates 20150804

2015/08/05

CZ-7 towers and mobile launch platform

Water dampening rehearsal

CZ-7's Laund pad 201 and CZ-5's Launch pad 101

CZ-7's Laund pad 201 closeup

CZ-5's Launch pad 101 closeup with in red the water dampening system

Nightview

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/launch-center/WSLC/2015-1.html

Two CZ-3B ready for launch in XCSLC

2015/08/05

For the first time, two launchers CZ-3B/Y32 and CZ-3B/Y33 have been sent simultaneously to the XCSLC. The SLVs left Beijing on 23 July, in order to carry the scheduled record high launch rate of 14 rockets by 2015's year end.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/rocket/225.html

Development of new aluminum alloy is key to break the bottleneck of China's heavy rocket project CZ-9

2015/08/05

Central South University, academician Zhong Jue is one of the leading figures in the development of new material, she led the "efficient use of resources and high-performance aluminum aluminum theory and technology" researches and received the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award for that.

In the summer of 2015, she led the research team that developed China's largest aluminum cylindrical ingot. "This is aimed at developping a new generation of heavy launch vehicle components." Zhongyuan Shi told reporters, as into space, the rocket 95 % weight is made of fuel, therefore, human exploration of space depends largely on the size of the rocket carrying capacity.

The development of the world's most powerful launcher, China's new heavy rocket is one of the nation's top priority project.

After ten years of scientific research, Central South University research team formed a complete set of innovative process for preparing high-performance large-scale aluminum materials and components, the alloy composition of large-sized ingots can be uniformly distributed along the isometric cross-section grain size refinement, gas content is very low, the hydrogen content of the material is just 100g/0.05ml, reaching the world advanced level.

"In fact, in the past 60 years, Central South University bear a lot of new materials and component research and development tasks." Hou Ping, Minister for Scientific Research Ministry, said that Central South University has been involved in research development of China's first atomic bomb, the first artificial satellite, the first long-range missile, the first spacecraft, the first nuclear submarine, the first AEGIS Radar, the first nuclear reactor, as well as numerous aerospace vehicles, weapons and equipment of National Defence.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/rocket/heavy-launch-vehicle/CSU.html

 

[Soheil_Esy]

Open day at Zhuzhuang lunar testing ground

2015/08/05

On the occasion of August 1's Army Day, Zhuzhuang lunar testing ground was open to children and parents.

After nearly two hours visitors arrived at the test site. A lunch made of home-grown food was served.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/Deepspace/CE-5/244.html

China's Precision Acquisition Vehicle Entry Phased Array Warning System

7 AUG 2015

Locally produced; Detection range up to 5500 km

http://defence-blog.com/?p=7208

2015/8/7

Antenna located in China's North West

Antenna located in China's South East

Antenna located in China's North East

Undisclosed location

http://bbs.tiexue.net/post2_9385429_1.html

Previous 7010 Antenna constructed in 1977

2013-11-13

http://junshi.xilu.com/20131113/1000010000150245.html

JULY 18, 2015 NOTAM

A1982/15 - A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED
BY: N392432E1071858-N394543E1072430-N393655E1081917-N391546E1081329
BACK TO START. VERTICAL LIMITS:GND-UNL. GND - UNL,
20 JUL 00:50 2015 UNTIL 20 JUL 01:30 2015. CREATED: 18 JUL 13:02 2015

A1983/15 - A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY:
N405318E0901713 N412019E0900743 N411912E0911922 N405211E0911823
BACK TO START. VERTICAL LIMITS:GND-UNL. GND - UNL,
20 JUL 00:50 2015 UNTIL 20 JUL 01:30 2015. CREATED: 18 JUL 13:04 2015

A1984/15 - A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED
BY:N410410E0870114-N411708E0870055-N411741E0880022-N410443E0880029
BACK TO START. VERTICAL LIMITS:GND-UNL. GND - UNL,
20 JUL 00:50 2015 UNTIL 20 JUL 01:30 2015. CREATED: 18 JUL 13:05 2015

"Test flight connection points to Korla direction. The strange thing is the third drop zone."

2015-7-21 08:38 : "Test activity reported in Taiyuan SLC"
2015-7-21 09:17 : "Third zone is Korla drop zone, already peppered with impact craters"
2015-7-21 12:58 : "Taiyuan SLC main activity is flight testing, satellite launch comes only second"

http://www.dingsheng.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=854617&extra=page=4&mobile=

Following night test also captured

CZ-5 full launcher modal test successful

2015/08/07

After more than 640 days of continuous efforts, all the 23 test states including second stage flight, first stage flight, full launcher flight, were completed.

It is understood that such a large scale, multi-state testing is one of the most complex ever that China has conducted, breaking a number of Asian records in the field of vibration testing.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/rocket/CZ-5/117.html

CASC 8th Institute 149 Factory CZ-5 Booster module

2015/08/07

CZ-5 Booster module oxygene tank under production at the 149 Factory will be delivered one day earlier owing to Shanghai's hot weather, exceeding these last days more than 40 degrees Centigrade.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/rocket/CZ-5/245.html

Shenzhou manned spacecraft's new solar panels

2015/08/05

Shenzhou manned spacecraft's next generation solar panels will be reverse engineered and produced locally.

Entirely produced locally by the 508 Institute, the new solar panels already underwent testings with success.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/243.html

PLA 63707 Infantry Unit affected to the protection of Yuanwang space tracking ships

2015/08/08

It it also responsible for the space tracking ship fleet's refueling and other logistic support missions. The 63707 Unit already participated to the Shenzhou and Chang'e missions.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/yuanwang/249.html

 

[Soheil_Esy]

Yuanwang-5 space tracking ship back from launch campaign

2015/08/08

China's most modern space tracking ship, Yuanwang-5 back to Changxing island, Dalian city in Liaoning Province, in end of July.

Visited on August 3, 2015 by several officials along with all the ex-servicemen, on the occasion of Army Day in Jiangying city, the ships' home port.

China's future space station will be open to foreign astronauts

2015-08-09

During a May television interview on CNN, Chinese astronauts said they aspire to joint flights with their foreign counterparts in space, adding that the country's future space station will be open to foreign astronauts.

"As an astronaut, I have a very strong desire to fly space missions with astronauts from other countries. And I look forward to the opportunity to visit the International Space Station," said Nie Haisheng, crew commander of the landmark Shenzhou X manned space mission in 2013.

Yang Liwei, the country's first man in space and the current deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency, said earlier that China is open to cooperation with other nations in its space station project.

"We reserved a number of platforms that can be used for international cooperative projects inside our future space station when we designed it," Yang said. "In addition to collaboration on applied experiments, we also designed adapters that can dock with other nations' spacecraft."

If everything goes well, China will have its own space station in operation around 2022, the space agency said.

http://www.ecns.cn/2015/08-09/176374.shtml

CASC 508 Institute 800 mm diameter plane mirror machining tool achieves international advanced accuracy level

2015/08/11

Large diameter optical element is the core component of space optical remote sensor. High-precision aspheric mirror has been of most technical and difficult in the optical field. For plane mirror machining, the 508 Institute developed a new ion beam polishing machine. After 88 hours of high-precision polishing, the initial mirror error of 0.8pv, λ / 5 rms was reduced to a peak value of less than 1 / 11λpv, λ / 90 rms. If the 800 mm diameter mirror was enlarged to the entire Beijing area, the highest and lowest points of error would not exceed the height of a fist.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/default/164.html

China Graduate Future Flight Vehicle Innovation Competition

20/04/2015

1st “China Graduate Future Flight Vehicle Innovation Competition” to Be Held in NWPU

On the Morning of March 23rd, 2015, the founding conference of Organizing Committee of the First “China Graduate Future Flight Vehicle Innovation Competition” (hereinafter referred as to the “Competition”) & the First Plenary Session was held in the International Conference Center of Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU). Director assistant of China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC) Zhao Yu, the vice-president of NWPU Wei Bingbo and related unit leaders attended the conference.

The First “China Graduate Future Flight Vehicle Innovation Competition” is hosted by CDGDC, Children & Youth Science Center of China Association for Science and Technology (CYSCC), International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Chinese Society of Astronautics (CSA) and Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics (CSAA) and co-hosted by EU QB50 CubeSats Lower Thermosphere Sounding Consortium Board Committee and Chinese Radio Amateurs Club (CRAC). NWPU is the organizer of this year's Competition. As one of the competitions of 2015 “National Graduate Innovative Practice Activities”, the Competition, through the idea of “innovation changes the future” and centering on flight vehicle technology innovation and the theme of microsatellite, aims at improving graduates' capabilities of astronautic innovative research, combining theory and practice and solving engineering practical problems so as to cultivate inter-disciplinary and high-quality innovative talents in this field.

On behalf of NWPU, Wei Bingbo expressed sincere thanks to CDGDC for their guide and help on graduate education of NWPU, to all host units for their forward-looking vision, intimate coordination and cooperation, and to all related universities for their great support. He also addressed his sincere hope for the Competition achieving complete success with the joint effort of all parties.

Zhao Yu expressed warm congratulations for successfully holding the conference and establishing the Organizing Committee. She also fully affirmed NWPU's efforts and contributions as the secretary-general unit and the organizer of the First Competition. She also addressed her hope of improving the quality and level of the Competition, fully displaying the achievements of future flight vehicle innovation obtained by graduates and promoting the rapid development and progress of China's flight vehicle technology with high attention, active cooperation and unremitting endeavor of related graduate cultivation units.

The head of Science Popularization and Activity Department of CYSCC Wang Songguang and the Vice Executive Secretary of CSAA Xiang He respectively made a speech on behalf of the host units on the conference.

The conference examined and passed the member list of Organizing Committee and the following First Plenary Session examined and passed the Bylaws, Implementation Plan and member list of Committee of Experts of the Competition. This conference lays a solid foundation for the First “China Graduate Future Flight Vehicle Innovation Competition” to be held in the later August, 2015. It is believed that with the joint efforts of all parties the Competition will obtain plentiful and substantial achievements.

http://english.ffvc.org/News/qh_newscontent/1008.htm?urltype=newscontent

YUANWANG-3 space tracking ship heading toward East Pacific mission

2015/08/11

Departure fron Shanghai on 30 June, 2015

Heading Eastward, on 2 July, 2015

Spotted in Papeete port on 11 August 2015

Leaving Papeete on 12 August 2015

YW-3 arriving in Fiji's Suva on 20 August 2015

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/yuanwang/yuanwang3.html

Tianjin's aerospace units unaffected by 12 August's blasts

2015/08/13

Distant of 20 km from the blasts' ground zero, the new Binghai aerospace district remains safe. Production can resume at normal rate.

① First Institute heavy launcher base

② Fifth Institute aerospace production base, 11th Institute Environment Engineering Co., 11th Institute Shenzhou Aerospace Co., plus 3 more departments in Binhai new science park

③ Binhai aerospace city

④ Aerospace new eco-city

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/default/2015-08-13.html

Fenyun-3B meteorological satellite captures Tianjin's inferno from space

2015-08-13

Several hours after the series of powerful blasts, as the inferno was still raging, Fenyun-3B sent images with 1km resolution with onboard VIRR

13 August 2015 at 3h15 Beijing Time

http://www.cma.gov.cn/2011xwzx/2011xqxxw/2011xtpxw/201508/t20150813_290468.html

New breakthrough in producing large diameter aluminium alloy ring for next generation heavy lift launch vehicle

2015/08/14

Guangxi Nannan Aluminium Co. developing next generation heavy lift launch vehicle parts, such as a record 8.7 m diameter aluminium ring.

The 1.32m forging block (hard aluminum alloy cylindrical ingot) of 20 tons is processed to make the 8.7m diameter alloy ring used for the super heavy lift rocket fuel tank.


http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/rocket/Heavy-Lift-Launch-Vehicle/alnan.html

 

[Soheil_Esy]

YF-77 liquid hydrogen-oxygen engine disclosed

2015/08/16

The YF-77 lox/lh2 engine is the main engine of the the new generation CZ-5 launchers' first stage. It develops a 50-ton thrust at sea level. From the project's start to its completion, researches lasted 14 years.

The YF-77 engine was disclosed to the public in July 16, 2015, at a space exhibition in Beijing.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/engine/liquid-hydrogen-oxygen/YF-77.html

460-ton thrust Lox/Kerosene engine

2015/08/16

Development of the heavy lift launcher has recently shifted from 2D drawings to 3D digital prototype.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/engine/kerosene/266.html

2015/05/20

CASC 6th Institute Xi'an rocket engine factory (Factory 7103) new district will develop the future 460-ton thrust Lox/Kerosene engine.

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/engine/kerosene/26.html

 

[Soheil_Esy]

Final ground testing of the CZ-5 second stage's rocket engines

2015-08-17

The second and final ground testing of the CZ-5 second stage's rocket engines was successfully completed on August 17 at 16:35 local time. The success of this test marks the end of the development of this new generation heavy lift launcher.

The first SLV will be transported to the new Wenchang space launch center (WSLC) on the island of Hainan to continue integration testing. Hopefully the maiden flight is planned for 2016, and CE-5 lunar return sample probe will be launched with CZ-5 around 2017.

This 2nd stage's engine test followed the same flight sequence and ignitions of the future CE-5 launch.

http://www.sastind.gov.cn/n112/n117/c6103893/content.html

Video

http://tv.cntv.cn/vodplay/52aecd103...sina-1-99517-397232819ff9a47a7b7e80a40613cfe1

http://news.cntv.cn/2015/08/17/VIDE...sina-1-79714-397232819ff9a47a7b7e80a40613cfe1

19 August 2015, 11:23-12:05 Taiyuan SLC NOTAM

2015/08/17

A2272/15 - A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED

BY: N411543E0955700-N411001E0970820-N405356E0970556-N405935E0955454

BACK TO START. VERTICAL LIMITS:GND-UNL. GND - UNL,

19 AUG 03:25 2015 UNTIL 19 AUG 04:00 2015. CREATED: 17 AUG 10:25 2015


A2271/15 - A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED

BY: N403148E1042317-N402324E1051854-N394106E1050741-N394926E1041236

BACK TO START. VERTICAL LIMITS:GND-UNL. GND - UNL,

19 AUG 03:23 2015 UNTIL 19 AUG 04:05 2015. CREATED: 17 AUG 10:22 2015

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/default/2015-08-19.html