Discussion The Ultimate Chinese Space Discussion Thread!

[Cosmic Penguin]

Yup, they have launched again!

NASASpaceflight.com: Long March 2C launches Shijian-9 tech demonstrator satellite duo

 

[orb]

Xinhua:

• China makes progress in spaceflight research:

  BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- China has made breakthroughs in researching spaceflight dynamics, a top scientist said Wednesday.
  
  Progress has been made in spaceflight trajectory computation and analysis, orbital tracking, telemetry and command technologies for deep space probes and spaceflight planning and control, said Tang Geshi, director of the Science and Technology of Aerospace Flight Dynamics Laboratory.
  
  {...}

  
  
• China to launch 11 meteorological satellites by 2020:

  BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- China will launch 11 meteorological satellites before 2020 to boost the country's weather monitoring network, according to the country's meteorological satellite development plan (2011-2020) released on Wednesday.
  
  The country will invest a total of 21.7 billion yuan (3.44 billion U.S. dollars) in the sector, including research on new-generation meteorological satellites and the building of ground application systems for meteorological satellites, said Yang Jun, director of the National Satellite Meteorological Center.
  
  {...}

 

[orb]

SPACE.com: China Eyes New Rockets for Space Station, Moon Missions

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Another Chinese launch right now! This launch marks a milestone in the construction of China's own GPS.

NASASpaceflight.com: China’s Long March 3C lofts another Compass-G into orbit

Note that the almost unannounced launch took many local people by surprise: they thought another big earthquake has happened! :uhh: (Xichang is situated right on an earthquake belt; the epicenter of the deadly 2008 south-west China earthquake is only 200 km or so away)

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

The Chinese has revealed details of their next manned mission: Shenzhou 10 will be launched in early June 2013 on a 15 day mission to TG-1, featuring more experiments and docking tests, as well as probably a fly around of the mini-station! :thumbup:

Xinhua: China to launch manned spaceship in June

(although I think it will be overshadowed by an even more important Chinese mission: humanities' first lunar landing in 37+ years!)

 

[Donamy]

I wish there were more detailed close-up pics of the spacecraft. :shrug:

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Another Chinese rocket just completed its job, sending three interesting payloads into Earth orbit!

NASASpaceflight.com: Chinese Long March 2C lofts Huanjing-1C into orbit

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

While the original launch of a communication satellite from Xichang last Thursday was delayed due to a leaky valve (it is now scheduled on this Tuesday), the Chinese made it up with a spysat triplet launch from Jiuquan today!

NASASpaceflight.com: Long March 4C launches Yaogan Weixing-16 spy satellite for China

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

While the original launch of a communication satellite from Xichang last Thursday was delayed due to a leaky valve (it is now scheduled on this Tuesday), the Chinese made it up with a spysat triplet launch from Jiuquan today!

NASASpaceflight.com: Long March 4C launches Yaogan Weixing-16 spy satellite for China

And it has been launched as well!

NASASpaceflight.com: China’s 18th launch of 2012 sees Long March 3B loft ChinaSat-12

 

[orb]

Xinhua: Chinese astronauts may grow veg on Moon

Moon Daily: Chinese astronauts may grow veg on Moon

Mars Daily: China prepares to grow vegetables on Mars: state media:

Chinese astronauts are preparing to grow fresh vegetables on Mars and the moon after researchers successfully completed a preliminary test in Beijing, state media reported.

Four kinds of vegetables were grown in an "ecological life support system", a 300 cubic metre cabin which will allow astronauts to develop their own stocks of air, water and food while on space missions, Xinhua news agency said Monday.

The system, which relies on plants and algae, is "expected to be used in extra-terrestrial bases on the moon or Mars", the report said.

Participants in the experiment could "harvest fresh vegetables for meals", Xinhua quoted Deng Yibing, a researcher at Beijing's Chinese Astronaut Research and Training Centre, as saying.

{...}

Discovery News: China to Grow Veggies on Mars?

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

China's rocketry teams ends the year with 19 successful launches out of 19! Their final launch of the year lifted off 20 minutes ago and sent a Turkish Earth observation satellite into space.

NASASpaceflight.com: China end 2012 with Long March 2D launch of Göktürk-2

 

[Eccentrus]

Even though I still don't like the policy that is ruling the mainland, but a congratulations should be in order. I hope for no more than progress and prosperity for my ancestral people across the southern sea, I shall pray and make sacrifices to the Jade Emperor to thank for the success of the great people under the heavens.

 

[orb]

Aviation Week: Chinese Beidou Satnav System Fully Operational

 

[orb]

Space Daily: China to launch 20 spacecrafts in 2013

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

An American engineer recalls the horrific scene of probably the blackest day in Chinese spaceflight history: http://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/Disaster-at-Xichang-187496561.html?c=y&page=1

 

[orb]

Aviation Week: Chinese Factory To Build Outsize Spacecraft

ZeeNews.com: China to have 200 orbiting spacecraft by 2020

 

[orb]

SPACE.com: Europe May Work With China on Space Station:

China aims to establish a large manned space station within the next decade, officials have said, and the latest reports suggest that this outpost could host not only Chinese astronauts, but European spaceflyers as well.

A plan is afoot for China and Europe to cooperate on the venture, which might see the European Space Agency (ESA) building technologies, including a rendezvous and docking system, for the station, in exchange for opportunities for its astronauts to visit the facility.

China plans to have the space station running by 2020. Both the station and China's manned spacecraft Shenzhou could use ESA's International Berthing and Docking Mechanism (IBDM), because of a problem with the Russian system the Chinese have been using until now.

{...}

 

[orb]

Aviation Week: China's Next Manned Space Mission To Launch This Summer

SPACE.com: China to Launch Next Manned Space Mission in Summer

Phys.org: China plans next manned space mission for summer

Space Daily: China plans manned space mission

 

[orb]

Space Daily:

• China to launch new manned spacecraft
  
  
• Woman expected again to join next China crew roster
  
  
• China's space station will be energy-efficient

Space Travel:

• China's first solid-fuel rocket to debut before 2016

Moon Daily:

• China to use modified rocket for moon landing mission

Aviation Week:

• Long March 5 Rocket Delayed To 2015

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

First Chinese launch of the year! :thumbup:

NASASpaceflight.com: China back in action with Long March 2D launch of Gaofen-1