China Outer Space Science, Technology and Explorations: News & Updates

[cirr]

Ladybeetle satellite project signals new aerospace era for China

2018-02-23 09:45 Global Times Editor: Huang Mingrui

The launch of the Ladybeetle satellite project signals a step change for the national commercial aerospace industry, Chinese technology analysts said Thursday.

Private company Commsat aims to launch seven satellites of the Ladybeetle series in one rocket in 2018 in a groundbreaking project that is the largest and most complicated commercial program in China's aerospace industry, Science and Technology Daily reported on Thursday.

Some 72 satellites are scheduled to be deployed by the end of 2020, forming China's first commercial low earth orbit Internet of Things (IoT) system, according to a plan released by the Beijing satellite company, which is funded by the Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the paper reported.

Via improved satellite coverage, the project seeks to upgrade control and management of heavy machinery, offshore drilling platforms and ocean liners operating overseas, according to Science and Technology Daily.

"Only 10 percent of the earth surface has mobile coverage," Xie Tao, founder and CEO of Commsat told the Global Times on Thursday. "The IoT system will work to maintain communication and transmission when a mobile communication network is unavailable on the ground."

The new satellites' mission is to test and verify the key techniques in IoT transmission and the capability of multiple satellites in setting up a network, Xie said.

The era of China's commercial aerospace industry has arrived, Cao Huitao, head of the Intellectual Property Office at the Xi'an institute was quoted by Science and Technology Daily as saying. The institute is exploring a commercial way to offer service on narrow band IoT, he said.

http://www.ecns.cn/2018/02-23/293216.shtml

 

[cirr]

What on earth could this possibly be?

我国某航天模型飞行器发射成功

Successful launch of a certain space model flight vehicle

2018-02-23 16:29:25

据科技日报2月23日报道， 深冬的西北戈壁滩，虽然阳光很耀眼，但气温却低到零下十几摄氏度。近日，在这个曾伴天宫升空、送神舟飞天的航天飞行控制中心，中国空气动力研究与发展中心的现场科研人员再次用掌声标记出又一个“模飞时刻”：某型号航天模型试验飞行器发射圆满成功！

2015年12月，他们成功组织开展了我国首次以空气动力学基础研究为目的的航天模型飞行试验。而3年后的今天，空域更广、速域更宽的某型号航天模型飞行器，在茫茫戈壁再次升空。

随着模型飞行器的精准落地，发射任务指挥长胡晓春迈着坚定的步伐上台宣布：“试验任务取得圆满成功！”猛地，紧绷着神经的全体参试人员一下子释放了热情，掌声再起，大家起身相互握手，互致祝贺。

该项目负责人刘刚兴奋地告诉科技日报记者，这次试验的圆满成功，是国内首次开展的某工程关键技术研究飞行试验，具有重大的工程应用和科学研究价值，也标志着我国航天模型飞行试验研究能力实现了速域、空域和应用领域的历史性跨越。

综合运用模型飞行试验、风洞试验、数值计算三种手段开展研究，是著名科学家钱学森当年对我国空气动力试验研究体系作出的战略规划，也是气动人孜孜以求的夙愿。如今，这个中心已经建成了航空和航天模型飞行试验平台，航空模型飞行正逐步实现常态化。

http://m.guancha.cn/industry-science/2018_02_23_447757.shtml

 

[onebyone]

China to set 300-plus-satellite constellation to serve communication
Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-23 20:30:58|Editor: Mengjie



BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- China will establish a constellation of more than 300 low-orbit satellites to provide global communication services, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced Friday.

The first satellite of the Hongyan constellation is set to be launched this year, CASC said.

The Hongyan constellation is composed of more than 300 satellites, along with data processing centers, and will be built in three stages.

Once completed, the satellite communication network will take the place of the ground-based network and allow a mobile phone to be connected everywhere on the planet, either in a remote desert or at sea, according to CASC


http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-02/23/c_136994815.htm

 

[Galactic Penguin SST]

What on earth could this possibly be?

我国某航天模型飞行器发射成功

Successful launch of a certain space model flight vehicle

2018-02-23 16:29:25

据科技日报2月23日报道， 深冬的西北戈壁滩，虽然阳光很耀眼，但气温却低到零下十几摄氏度。近日，在这个曾伴天宫升空、送神舟飞天的航天飞行控制中心，中国空气动力研究与发展中心的现场科研人员再次用掌声标记出又一个“模飞时刻”：某型号航天模型试验飞行器发射圆满成功！

2015年12月，他们成功组织开展了我国首次以空气动力学基础研究为目的的航天模型飞行试验。而3年后的今天，空域更广、速域更宽的某型号航天模型飞行器，在茫茫戈壁再次升空。

随着模型飞行器的精准落地，发射任务指挥长胡晓春迈着坚定的步伐上台宣布：“试验任务取得圆满成功！”猛地，紧绷着神经的全体参试人员一下子释放了热情，掌声再起，大家起身相互握手，互致祝贺。

该项目负责人刘刚兴奋地告诉科技日报记者，这次试验的圆满成功，是国内首次开展的某工程关键技术研究飞行试验，具有重大的工程应用和科学研究价值，也标志着我国航天模型飞行试验研究能力实现了速域、空域和应用领域的历史性跨越。

综合运用模型飞行试验、风洞试验、数值计算三种手段开展研究，是著名科学家钱学森当年对我国空气动力试验研究体系作出的战略规划，也是气动人孜孜以求的夙愿。如今，这个中心已经建成了航空和航天模型飞行试验平台，航空模型飞行正逐步实现常态化。

http://m.guancha.cn/industry-science/2018_02_23_447757.shtml

"

发表于 2018-2-24 01:44

不是说trre 涡轮火箭冲压超燃冲压组合动力飞行器2017年底本来计划首飞试验么，有人说是这玩意的模型

https://lt.cjdby.net/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=2460315&pid=75640830

,,​

​

结合我国临近空间及空天动力研制需求及当前技术基础，北京动力机械研究所经过两年多的深入论证，创新性提出了
一种涡轮辅助火箭增强冲压组合 循 环 发 动 机（Turbo-aided Rocket-augmented Ram⁃jet Combined Cycle Engine，TRRE）方 案，
为 临 近 空间和空天动力的发展提供了新思路。
TRRE 发动机是一种将涡轮、火箭和冲压发动机通 过 结 构 高 度 集 成 、热 力 循 环 和 工 作 过 程 的 有 机组 合
而 形 成 的 高 度 一 体 化 的 吸 气 式 组 合 循 环 发 动机，如图 1 所示。
当前阶段，TRRE采用成熟涡轮与火箭冲压复合燃烧室并联、共用进排气系统的方案，
能够在Ma=0~6+,H=0~33km范围内稳定工作，
并具备较好的综合性能。
它利用火箭技术使发动机具备了灵活的推力调节能力，实现了涡轮与冲压的平稳接力，
缓解了高超声速下的推阻矛盾;
利用涡轮技术，提高了发动机在低速模态下的比冲性能;
适合亚、超、高超声速巡航，并在全速域具有较强的机动能力;
具有强的工作鲁棒性，通过火箭射流增强燃烧，大幅拓展稳定工作边界，火箭燃气可以富燃、富氧并直接可作为燃油喷注器，适合低动压等条件工作，
为飞行器总体性能优化和热防护方案优化提供更多可行空间。

TRRE发动机为实现全飞行剖面下综合性能最优，
开拓了新思路。
其典型工作过程如下:
Ma=0一2发动机工作于涡轮模态，若起飞或跨声速时推力不足可开启高速通道引射火箭，
工作于高低速通道组合模态;
Ma=2左右关闭低速通道，完成高低速通道模态转换;
Ma=2~6加速过程工作于冲压模态或火箭冲压模态;
Ma=6巡航状态工作于冲压模态;
此外，根据高马赫数低动压飞行和机动突防需求，可适时开启引射火箭，工作于火箭冲压模态，如图2所示。
图3显示了TRRE发动机发展思路，
2015年-2020年处于原理和核心关键技术验证阶段，
拟采用小型涡轮构建地面原理样机，验证工作原理，依托技术验证机深化对关键技术的认识;
2025年前，采用现役成熟涡轮发动机形成工程可用的方案，支撑完成小规模水平起降自主飞行试验;
后续，预计2030年前，随着更高马赫数超燃冲压发动机、适应宽范围工作的可调燃烧室冲压发动机、高速涡轮基、轻质高效预冷等技术突破，可通过技术融合，进一步拓展TRRE发动机工作范围，提升综合性能，满足更高性能水平起降高超声速临近空间侦打平台，两级入轨一级平台，甚至单级入轨飞行器的动力需求。
TRRE发动机通过成熟涡轮与RBCC发动机并联
较好的兼顾了临近空间、空天飞行器对发动机的性能指标需求及动力装置的工程可实现性，其技术关键是——如何以最小的质量代价、空间代价，实现发动机全流道一体化紧凑设计，实现发动机宽范围稳定可靠工作，并获得尽可能高的推进性能。
北京动力机械研究所经过两年多的论证、仿真研究、性能评估等工作，初步证明了该方案的可行性。
完成了TRRE原理样机流道方案设计及数值仿真研究(图4)，经过多轮迭代设计，形成了TRRE原理样机方案。
数值仿真结果显示，原理样机可在Ma=0~6+全飞行包线内匹配工作，验证了高低速通道一体化协同工作、模态转换过程稳定可靠接力和高速通道Ma=1.5一7极宽范围一体化流道火箭冲压协同工作的原理可行性。
基于该流道完成了直连和自由射流试验模型结构方案设计与加工(见图5,6)。
预计2016年，可完成TRRE原理样机模态转换动态过程试验和Ma=2- 6定状态点直连和自由射流试验，获得模态转换过程动态特性和高速通道宽马赫数范围的性能特性试验数据。



Analysis of key technologies and propulsion performance research of TTRE engine


Difficulty level:

Spoiler: Links

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...7/?temp_hash=5f48b28fa2a98cbeb074304edcfaf60e
http://www.doc88.com/p-7176387881324.html

▲ Analysis of key technologies and propulsion performance research of TTRE engine

Spoiler: Links

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...9/?temp_hash=5f48b28fa2a98cbeb074304edcfaf60e
http://www.doc88.com/p-7176387881324.html

▲ Analysis of key technologies and propulsion performance research of TTRE engine

Spoiler: Links

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...0/?temp_hash=5f48b28fa2a98cbeb074304edcfaf60e
http://www.doc88.com/p-7176387881324.html

▲ Analysis of key technologies and propulsion performance research of TTRE engine

Spoiler: Links

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...1/?temp_hash=5f48b28fa2a98cbeb074304edcfaf60e
http://www.doc88.com/p-7176387881324.html

▲ Analysis of key technologies and propulsion performance research of TTRE engine

Spoiler: Links

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...2/?temp_hash=5f48b28fa2a98cbeb074304edcfaf60e
http://www.doc88.com/p-7176387881324.html

▲ Analysis of key technologies and propulsion performance research of TTRE engine

Spoiler: Links

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...3/?temp_hash=5f48b28fa2a98cbeb074304edcfaf60e
http://www.doc88.com/p-7176387881324.html

▲ Analysis of key technologies and propulsion performance research of TTRE engine

Spoiler: Links

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...4/?temp_hash=5f48b28fa2a98cbeb074304edcfaf60e
http://www.doc88.com/p-7176387881324.html

▲ Analysis of key technologies and propulsion performance research of TTRE engine

Spoiler: Links

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...5/?temp_hash=5f48b28fa2a98cbeb074304edcfaf60e
http://www.doc88.com/p-7176387881324.html

▲ Analysis of key technologies and propulsion performance research of TTRE engine

 

[cirr]

China to set 300-plus-satellite constellation to serve communication

2018-02-23 22:14

Xinhua Editor: Wang Fan

China will establish a constellation of more than 300 low-orbit satellites to provide global communication services, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced Friday.

The first satellite of the Hongyan constellation is set to be launched this year, CASC said.

The Hongyan constellation is composed of more than 300 satellites, along with data processing centers, and will be built in three stages.

Once completed, the satellite communication network will take the place of the ground-based network and allow a mobile phone to be connected everywhere on the planet, either in a remote desert or at sea, according to CASC.

http://www.ecns.cn/2018/02-23/293339.shtml

 

[cirr]

China speeds up research, commercialization of space shuttles

2018-02-24 16:30 Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping

China will accelerate research and commercial use of rocket upper stages, a carrier rocket official said on Friday.

"The Yuanzheng rocket upper stage family will have a new member, Yuanzheng-1S, this year, serving launches for low and medium Earth orbit satellites," said Wang Mingzhe, an upper stage architect of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT).

Upper stages are independent aircraft installed on the carrier rocket that are capable of restarting their engines multiple times in space to allow them to send different payloads to varying orbits.

Earlier this month, China's Yuanzheng-1 rocket upper stage helped send two satellites into orbit on a single carrier rocket for its domestic BeiDou Navigation Satellite System in Xichang in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

China began to develop upper stage spacecraft in the 1980s, according to a report released by CALT. The first mission took place in March 2015 involving the Yuanzheng-1, which can perform two ignitions and operate for 6.5 hours.

Over the past three years, the Yuanzheng upper stage family has gained two members, Yuanzheng-1A and Yuanzheng-2, which are capable of up to 20 engine restarts and multiple spacecraft separation events.

"In addition to putting satellites into position, the Yuanzheng upper stage family is also able to monitor the space environment and send data back to Earth, which can help gain experience for future aircraft design," said Ye Chengmin, the vice chief architect for upper stages with CALT.

An upper stage is designed to operate at high altitude. Currently, China's three Yuanzheng upper stages all feature medium- and high-orbit missions.

Wang Mingzhe said there is growing demand for putting upper stages into commercial use, such as using them as launch vehicles to send small payloads into low and medium orbits. The new model Yuanzheng-1S will be a simplified version to cater to these needs.

"Compared with the long flight time of three other models, Yuanzheng-1S needs to finish its mission within one hour. This takes a lot of upgrading, such as streamlining systems to make this version more economical and efficient," said Wang.

Yuanzheng-1S is scheduled to be used for launches to Sun-synchronous orbits atop a Long March 2C carrier rocket in 2018.

Wang said that upper stages are expected to play a huge role in future moon and Mars exploration as well as orbital transfer and the clearing of space debris.

http://www.ecns.cn/2018/02-24/293454.shtml

 

[cirr]

Long March-11 rocket to send satellites from ocean surface

2018-02-28 12:08 Ecns.cn Editor: Mo Hong'e

A Long March-11 carrier rocket blasts off. (File photo/China News Service)

(ECNS) -- China's Long March-11 carrier rocket will carry out its first sea-launch mission this year, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the major contractor of the country's space programs.

Yang Yiqiang, general director of the Long March-11 rocket, said the sea launch marks the beginning of Chinese carrier rockets entering a new service industry. It would further help send satellites into low earth orbit, and promote carrier rockets' mission capabilities.

Yang said the market demand to send satellites into low earth orbit is growing rapidly. The capability to send satellites near the equator would not only reduce fuel consumption, but also help increase carrier rockets' loads, and reduce launch and operation costs.

Sending satellites from on the sea also requires carrier rockets to have higher performance levels. The Long March-11 carrier rocket, which has flexible and rapid response abilities, can meet these demands, experts say.

http://www.ecns.cn/cns-wire/2018/02-28/293934.shtml

 

[TaiShang]

Long March 11 carrier rockets to be used in country’s first sea launch

(People's Daily Online) 16:06, February 28, 2018

China’s Long March 11 carrier rockets will be deployed for the country’s first sea launch mission later this year, their developer China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) said on Feb. 27, Science and Technology Daily reported.

(File photo)

The mission and the country’s carrier rockets signify a new area of service in which they will further satisfy the demands to launch low inclination satellites and better adapt to new missions, said Yang Yiqiang, general director of the Long March 11 project.

Sea launching requires much in the regard of carrier rockets capacity. For instance, the trial launches have to be simple as well as direct and suitable ways to control and launch the satellites have to be adopted due to sea turbulence and the flow of heat.

The Long March 11, a solid fuel rocket capable of fast speeds and high flexibility, can satisfying all the sea launch demands.

Before, Russia, the US, Ukraine and Norway invested in a sea launch joint venture which hasn’t carried out any launch service since 2014 for many reasons. Broadly speaking, the mission of the Long March 11 will be to realize continuation of sea launch of mankind.

 

[cirr]

Heavy-lift rocket engines in design for 2030 launch

2018-03-03 10:51 China Daily Editor: Mo Hong'e

A Long March 5-Y2 rocket is seen at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on June 26, 2017. (Photo by Wei Jinghua/For China Daily)

China's largest booster big enough to send missions to moon, Mars

Chinese scientists are designing key parts to be used in the nation's most powerful carrier rocket, which is expected to make its first flight around 2030, a senior researcher said.

Li Hong, president of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, said scientists are designing two heavy-lift engines combining liquid oxygen with other fuels - kerosene in one and liquid hydrogen in the other - along with a large-diameter fuel tank.

"Research and development will be finished within two to three years, and they will be used on our new heavy-duty rocket," Li said on Friday.

The academy, a division of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, is the largest developer of carrier rockets in China. Li is a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which opens its annual session on Saturday in Beijing.

According to Li, the new-generation rocket will have a diameter of about 10 meters, a length of nearly 100 m, and a carrying capacity as much as five times that of the current Long March 5.

The 57-meter Long March 5, the mightiest and tallest in China's carrier rocket family so far, has a liftoff weight of 869 metric tons and a maximum carrying capacity to a low-Earth orbit of 25 tons.

The new rocket, which has yet to be named but is popularly known as Long March 9, will be capable of sending payloads of at least 125 tons into orbit. By comparison, the United States' Saturn V, the most powerful rocket ever built and the one that helped the U.S. place astronauts on the moon, can carry 140 metric tons into orbit.

If the country's research and development proceed well, the Long March 9 will enable China to land astronauts on the moon and send and retrieve Mars probes, Li said.

Li Jinghong, deputy chief designer of the Long March 3A rocket at the academy, said four launches of the Long March 5 would be required to fulfill a manned mission to the moon, while the Long March 9 would need only one.

Li Hong said the academy is also developing a medium-lift carrier rocket to meet demand for commercial launch services. Designers have begun work on a prototype for the Long March 8 and plan for it to fly around 2020, he said, adding that the rocket will have a modular design and will use technologies that have been incorporated in the Long March 5 and Long March 7 series.

The rocket aims mainly to satisfy commercial needs in the domestic and international markets, he said. In China, an increasing number of private companies have begun making satellites, which fuels demand for commercial launch services.

Li Tongyu, head of carrier rocket development at the academy, said the Long March 8's core will be based on that of the Long March 7. The rocket will have two 2-meter-diameter, liquid-propelled boosters. It will be capable of sending about 4.5 tons into a sun-synchronous orbit, or 2.5 tons to a geosynchronous transfer orbit, he said.

http://www.ecns.cn/2018/03-03/294405.shtml

 

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Finally "Made In China" Hongyun Flares Coming Soon!

CASIC soon to break the U.S. Iridium's monopoly in producing even brighter "Hongyun" flares to the greatest joy of satgazers worldwide!

Spoiler: Link

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...3/?temp_hash=b08f44834f270e108e76694fa4824c09
https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...3/?temp_hash=b08f44834f270e108e76694fa4824c09
https://media.giphy.com/media/13r18zPODuiX6M/giphy.gif
http://www.phys.ttu.edu/~ozprof/iridiumflare.htm

▲ Illustration of a flare

Spoiler: Link

http://
Published on Nov 23, 2014
Iridium satellites flaring in the Big Dipper and Orion in FHD video. Sony A7s and Canon lenses 24mm f/1.4 & 50mm f/1.4. Thierry Legault www.astrophoto.fr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTGVuPr9Epg

▲ Iridium flares in real-time

中国两个全球卫星互联网络年内发射首星 总数将超456颗

2018-03-02 22:16:30

美国航天业冒险家马斯克近日号称要发射约1.2万颗低轨道卫星组成“星链”（StarLink）星座通信网，让Wifi信号阀盖全球每一个角落。

可是，马斯克的雄心壮志并不是只有马斯克一人才有。

虽然不及马斯克“海口”下1.2万颗的数目，但我国航天科技集团和航天科工集团也都分别提出了建设300余颗和156颗低轨通信卫星星座的计划。两个计划的首颗技术验证星都预定在今年发射。

中国的低轨星座计划

全国两会开幕在即。全国政协委员、中国航天科技集团科技委主任包为民3月2日接受中新网采访时表示，航天科技集团正在部署一个低轨道通信卫星星座。一期工程将有54颗星，至二期工程时实现系统能力平滑过渡，卫星总数最终将超过300颗。

包为民称，计划在年内启动全球移动宽带卫星互联网系统建设。建成后，它将成为全球无缝覆盖的空间信息网络基础建设，为地面固定、手持移动、车载、船载、机载等各类终端提供互联网传输服务。

包为民补充道，这个卫星互联网系统可以在深海大洋、南北两极、“一带一路”等区域实现宽带窄带相结合的通信保障能力。通过该系统，处于地球上任何地点的任何人或物在任何时间实现信息互联。

包为民在采访中提到的这个“低轨道通信卫星星座”，应该就是在2016年珠海航展上公开的“鸿雁星座”。“全球低轨移动互联网卫星系统鸿雁星座”由航天级科技集团领导，长城公司与一院、五院等单位共同推出。

在2016年珠海航展上，航天科技集团所属的中国长城工业集团有限公司副总裁张晓东介绍，鸿雁星座计划将由60颗低轨道小卫星及全球数据业务处理中心组成，具有全天候、全时段及在复杂条件下的实时双向通信能力。60颗卫星将在2020年组网完毕，届时将促进国际通信互联互通。

在航天科技集团的2018年商业航天布局中，鸿雁星座的规模提升到了“300余颗低轨道小卫星”。工程具体将分3期建设，最终形成全球低轨移动互联网卫星系统。

鸿雁星座首发星由西安分院负责研制，预计将于2018年第一季度发射。这颗首发星搭载的相关载荷具有在轨可重构技术，能够开展通信体制验证，实现小型终端联试联调、星地业务试运行，并对卫星测控运管系统进行验证。

长城公司介绍，对于个人用户来说，鸿雁星座的双向数据交互功能，可以保证这些用户在无国内地面网络覆盖的区域，如科考、登山、探险等活动的通信需求，同时可以为应急救援提供有力保障。鸿雁星座可为北斗导航卫星增强系统提供信息播发通道，提高北斗导航卫星定位精度，为航空运输、地信应用、海洋工程、交通物流、精准农业、自动驾驶等需要高精度定位的行业提供定制化服务。

鸿雁星座搭载的AIS载荷，可在全球范围内接收船舶发送的AIS报文信息，全面掌握船舶航行状态、位置、航向等动态和静态信息，实现对远海海域航行船舶的监控及渔政管理。鸿雁星座搭载的ADS-B载荷，具有全天候、大范围、远距离、卫星探测合法性等优点,可从外层空间对全球航空目标进行位置跟踪、监视及物流调控，增强飞行安全性及突发航空事故搜救能力。

此外，通过植入手机芯片，人们在国外旅游、航海、郊外郊游期间，即便没有手机信号，也能够发送信息、语音和图片。如果遇到紧急情况，例如落水，手机还能自动播报位置信息和求救信号，为个人野外通信、安全和救援提供有力帮助，未来就不会再有人员失联现象，“鸿雁”让世界永不失联。

航天科技集团展望，鸿雁星座推向市场后，“将成为（国内）首个能够满足基本卫星数据通信需求的系统。”

另一支“国家队”的筹划

除了航天科技集团外，我国还有另一支“国家队”——航天科工集团。航天科工集团对于建设低轨道通信卫星星座也有自己的计划。

航天科工的“虹云工程”是“基于小卫星的低轨宽带互联网接入系统”。虹云工程脱胎于航天科工之前提出的“福星计划”，计划发射156颗在1000千米运行的低轨小卫星，组网构建一个星载宽带全球互联网络。


2016年9月举行的第二届中国商业航天高峰论坛上，航天科工集团提出重点实施五大商业航天工程。五个“云”中就包括了“虹云工程”。

虹云工程总设计师向开恒表示，虹云工程最重要的意义就是改变了现有的互联网接入方式，实现可覆盖全球的天基互联网接入。目前互联网的使用还不能离开陆基和海底光缆，但在很多情况下，受制于成本和地理环境的制约，并不具备光缆铺设的条件。

但在虹云二期工程完成后，卫星之间可以实现信息互联和信息处理。届时，装有客户端的飞机和船舶，即使处在远离陆地信关站2500千米以上的大洋深处，也可以实现网络互联，从而实现真正意义上的全球网络覆盖。

虹云工程的另一大特点就是使用Ka波段。无线波段历来是先到先得，Ka波段虽然速度和质量不比传统的C波段，但却远没有C波段那么拥挤。国外One Web公司的低轨星座也计划使用Ka波段。虹云工程越早建设，就越有利于中国抢占波段资源，争取主动。

此外，向开恒介绍称，虹云工程将是世界上第一种实现每颗卫星达到4G/s信息传输速率的天地一体化宽带信息系统。“借助于前所未有的带宽，以及1000千米的低轨高度（相比于传统的同步轨道，距地面约35000千米以上），卫星信息传输的速度将有大幅提升，这对于改善新闻直播中的延时现象、提高远程遥控操作的质量有着重要意义。”

整个工程也分为3步。在早期规划中，第一步计划在2018年前发射第一颗技术验证星，实现单星关键技术验证；第二步到“十三五”末，发射4颗业务实验星，组建一个小星座，让用户进行初步业务体验；第三步到“十四五”末，实现全部156颗卫星组网运行，完成业务星座构建。

但在2017年8月的第三届中国商业航天高峰论坛上，向开恒虽然提及技术验证卫星已进入初样试验阶段，但把技术验证卫星发射时间修正到了“明年中”，也就是2018年。他同时坦言，“虹云工程”在发射、测控等方面尚存问题，商业化也还在摸索中。

第二次向低轨道的大进军

太空低轨道在通信上的巨大潜力，人类早在20多年前就已经发现。1999年，摩托摩拉推出了人类首个大规模低轨星座通信计划——由77颗星组网的“铱星”计划。但受制于当时条件所限，运营成本过高且实际速度很慢。最后使用者寥寥。相较于卫星通信，地面通讯的发展更为迅速，立刻占据了大部分市场。

但在20年后的今天情况已经有了很大改观。航天科技的进步降低了卫星研制、量产和发射的成本，而卫星通信资费的降低又催生出无时无刻的互联网接入和大数据需求。低轨通信卫星的复兴也自然水到渠成。

尤其是我国疆域辽阔，自然地形复杂。在面对偏远山区的自然村落时，与地面光缆相比，“从天上”解决很可能成本更低。2016年12月的《十三五国家信息化规划》中也明确提及“通过移动蜂窝、光纤、低轨卫星等多种方式，完善边远地区及贫困地区的网络覆盖。”

2018年对于全球多个低轨卫星计划都将是关键一年。马斯克的“星链”在上个月刚发射了两颗验证星。One Web公司也打算在今年开展发射计划。而我国“鸿雁”和“虹云”这两个低轨卫星工程，同样将在今年发射首颗卫星。

发令枪已经响起，最后谁能跑赢比赛？


Another "national team" plan

In addition to CASC, China still has another "national team" - CASIC. CASIC also has its own plan for building a constellation of low earth orbit communications satellites.

CASIC's Hongyun (Rainbow cloud) Project is based on small satellite broadband Internet access system. Hongyun Project Engineering was born out of Fuxing Project that proposed to launch 156 low earth orbit small satellites operating at 1,000 km altitude, into a network to build a broadband Internet worldwide.

Spoiler: Links

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...4/?temp_hash=b08f44834f270e108e76694fa4824c09
http://i.guancha.cn/news/2018/03/02/20180302214908230.jpg
http://www.guancha.cn/industry-science/2018_03_02_448744.shtml

▲ Hongyun Project satellite in orbit, CGI. 航天科工集团“虹云工程”动画演示（视频截图）

Spoiler: Links

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...5/?temp_hash=b08f44834f270e108e76694fa4824c09
http://i.guancha.cn/news/2018/03/02/20180302214448269.jpg
http://www.guancha.cn/industry-science/2018_03_02_448744.shtml

▲ Deployment of solar panels of Hongyun Project satellite, CGI. 虹云工程动画演示：卫星正展开太阳能电池板（视频截图）

Spoiler: Links

http://
http://i.guancha.cn/news/2018/03/02/20180302213314347.jpg
http://www.guancha.cn/industry-science/2018_03_02_448744.shtml

▲ CGI of Hongyun Project satellite, notice the antennas, perfect at producing nice flares! 虹云工程动画演示（视频截图）

Spoiler: Links

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...7/?temp_hash=b08f44834f270e108e76694fa4824c09
http://i.guancha.cn/news/2018/03/02/20180302215734504.jpg
http://www.guancha.cn/industry-science/2018_03_02_448744.shtml

▲ Hongyun Project satellite, soon to break the monopoly of the U.S. Iridium in flarings! 铱星星座

http://www.guancha.cn/industry-science/2018_03_02_448744.shtml

Spoiler: Link

http://
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzMzNTg1OTIyMA==.html

▲ Hongyun Project video
中国科学家启动虹云工程, 计划发射156颗卫星, 将解决山区没信号的问题
上传于 2018-01-20 科普驿站

Spoiler: Links

https://defence.pk/pdf/attachments/...9/?temp_hash=b08f44834f270e108e76694fa4824c09
http://p0.qhimg.com/dm/168_300_/t01697eae361ffc9bc6.jpg
http://zhushou.360.cn/detail/index/soft_id/413106#prev
See also:
铱耀斑预测
铱耀斑预报通知您有关您所在地区的可见的铱耀斑（GPS或CELLID确定）或国际空间站通过的消息。
http://zhushou.360.cn/detail/index/soft_id/413106

▲ 铱耀斑预测

 

[cirr]

Chinese space firms to launch satellites for planet-wide internet services

2018-03-05 08:55 Global Times Editor: Li Yan

Two Chinese space companies to launch planet-wide broadband services

Two Chinese companies are competing to build a planetary mobile broadband internet service based on low-orbiting satellite networks, officials from Chinese aerospace firms revealed in Beijing on Sunday.

The first company, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, will launch 54 satellites in the first phase and another more than 246 in subsequent phases, China's Science and Technology Daily reported on Sunday.

The second company, the similarly named China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation, plans to send 156 satellites into low orbit by 2022 for Project Hongyun, an official said on Sunday.

The satellites will enable global internet service to ground, shipboard, airborne and mobile terminals, Bao Weimin, head of the first corporation's science and technology committee was quoted as saying in the report.

Any individual or object will be able to stay seamlessly connected underwater in the deep oceans including the Arctic and Antarctic, or in regions along the Belt and Road route, said Bao.

Unlike traditional stationary communication satellites that orbit 360,000 kilometers above the Earth and experience relatively poorer reception and longer internet delays, a low-orbit satellite constellation can achieve faster, more stable, seamless internet coverage, Pang Zhihao, a Beijing-based space communication expert, told the Global Times.

The satellites would not necessarily all be crowding around the equator to achieve a low Earth orbit, Pang said.

The system will also carry forward China's ideas including the Belt and Road initiative and building a community of common destiny, Pang said.

The global internet system will enable smart communication terminals like mobile phones to link with the satellite network and achieve high-definition voice service, instant messaging and email of a quality nearly as high as that of ground-based networks.

Zhang Zhongyang, head of the No.2 research institute at the second company - China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation - revealed on Sunday that the institute will this year launch a test satellite for Project Hongyun, which, although boasting a smaller number and scale of satellites, shares similar goals with the U.S. SpaceX's Starlink project.

The corporation will launch four more to gain preliminary experience by 2020 and have all 156 satellites operational in 2022 providing internet in poor-signal areas and places with an adverse environment, Zhang said.

http://www.ecns.cn/2018/03-05/294523.shtml

 

[cirr]

China looks to boost lunar missions with unmanned moon base

2018-03-05 08:15 Global Times Editor: Li Yan

China is planning to build a base on the moon, according to aerospace science authorities, which experts said will improve the efficiency of the country's future lunar exploration missions.

In the initial stages, the planned moon base will be controlled by artificial intelligence robots, and after a manned lunar-landing, it will be occasionally managed by human beings, said Zhao Xiaojin, the Party chief of the China Academy of Space Technology at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

The unmanned base on the moon will greatly improve lunar exploration efficiency, as it will be able to provide many facilities that can be used for thorough scientific research, Jiao Weixin, a space science professor at Peking University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Compared to the US's space station in lunar orbit, China's moon base will be more practical and efficient in conducting research, said Jiao, explaining that human beings in lunar orbit play only a limited role in lunar surface expeditions.

Lunar research relies mainly on sophisticated equipment to collect and analyze samples on the moon's surface, Jiao added.

There are three phases in China's lunar exploration program, and the last of these is now underway as the Chang'e-5 returns from the moon with a sample, Zhao told China Central Television CCTV in an interview.

In 2018, China's Chang'e 4 probe is expected to make a landing on the far side of the moon for the first time.

The relay satellite will be launched in the first half of 2018 and the Chang'e-4 lunar probe in the latter half of next year, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

http://www.ecns.cn/2018/03-05/294537.shtml

 

[cirr]

China to launch Long March-5B rocket in 2019

2018-03-05 16:52 Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping

China will launch the Long March-5B carrier rocket into space in 2019, according to a spokesperson for the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO).

The rocket will help carry the core module and experiment modules to China's space station.

The Long March-5B carrier rocket will undergo testing in March in preparation for the first launch mission.

China will select the third batch of astronauts in the first half of this year for its manned space exploration plan. The new astronauts will include not only pilots, but also maintenance engineers. More manned and cargo spacecrafts have been scheduled for development.

The spokesperson also said the CMSEO would cooperate with the United Nations for Outer Space Affairs to offer opportunities on the application of the Chinese space station, with the European Space Agency on module development and with other countries on the lunar probe.

China initiated the manned space program in 1992. Designed as the country's strongest carrier rocket, the Long March-5 has a payload capacity of 25 tonnes to low Earth orbit, or 14 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit.

http://www.ecns.cn/2018/03-05/294645.shtml

 

[Cybernetics]

https://twitter.com/x/status/970836835223130112

Currently in early development of a reusable space plane called "腾云工程/Tengyun project", capable of transporting personnel and cargo to space and space station. The space plane takes off horizontally from a conventional runway.

Development of near space solar powered drone network, currently in test flights. To be deployed by the end of 2018 to early 2019 in small numbers and in certain fields for demonstration.

The two-stage-to-orbit fully-reusable aerospace vehicle takes off horizontally from airport, accelerates to climb up in the atmosphere, and conducts separation between first stage and second stage at the altitude of 30 to 40km. After that, the first stage returns to land horizontally, while the second stage continues climbing up to enter the ear-earth orbit. After transport mission is completed, the second stage will conduct reentry for return, and then land horizontally. Main technical specifications of the vehicle are as follows:

• Take-ff mass: 100-150t
• Payload: it can launch 2t-load to near-earth orbit at the altitude of 200-800km
• Reusable capability: 100 times

2016 design concept

1986, "863 plan" early design concepts. Design 1 which the lowest technology requirements (left most rocket) was utilized.

 

[Solomon2]

TIANGONG-1 REENTRY
TIANGONG-1
Tiangong-1 is currently predicted to reenter the Earth’s atmosphere around early April 2018.
Object Description
Type: Payload
Int’l Designation: 2011-053A
NORAD Number: 37820
Launched: 2011 September 30 @ 03:16:03.507 UTC
Site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China
Mission: Tiangong-1, First Chinese Space Station
Mass: 8500 kg at launch (18,740 lbs)
Length: 10.5 m (34 ft)
Diameter: 3.4 m (11 ft)
Solar panels: 2 panels (approx. 7 m x 3 m)

Diagram of Tiangong-1 – Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Reentry Information


Tiangong-1 is predicted to reenter in early April 2018 ± 1 week*.
This prediction was performed by The Aerospace Corporation on 2018 February 28.

*Note: This prediction assumes an uncontrolled reentry (no thrusting).

Orbit of Tiangong-1 as of 2018 February 28 @ 00:00:00.000 UTC. The Apogee (highest point in the orbit) = 271 km while the Perigee (lowest point in the orbit) = 248 km. For reference, the International Space Station is in a 400 km circular orbit.

Tiangong-1 Reentry Hazard
There is a chance that a small amount of Tiangong-1 debris may survive reentry and impact the ground. Should this happen, any surviving debris would fall within a region that is a few hundred kilometers in size and centered along a point on the Earth that the station passes over. The map below shows the relative probabilities of debris landing within a given region. Yellow indicates locations that have a higher probability while green indicates areas of lower probability. Blue areas have zero probability of debris reentry since Tiangong-1 does not fly over these areas (north of 42.7° N latitude or south of 42.7° S latitude). These zero probability areas constitute about a third of the total Earth’s surface area.

When considering the worst-case location (yellow regions of the map) the probability that a specific person (i.e., you) will be struck by Tiangong-1 debris is about one million times smaller than the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot. In the history of spaceflight, no known person has ever been harmed by reentering space debris. Only one person has ever been recorded as being hit by a piece of space debris and, fortunately, she was not injured.

Tiangong-1 Altitude Prediction

Tiangong-1 Altitude History & Adjustments

Dotted lines indicate dates of probable orbital maneuvers.

*Prediction and altitude history graphics updated weekly*

Mission Background

• Tiangong-1 is the first space station built and launched by China.
• It was designed to be a manned lab as well as an experiment/demonstration for the larger, multiple-module Tiangong station.

• The spacecraft was launched aboard a Long March 2F/G rocket on 2011 September 30 UTC.

• There are 2 modules that compose Tiangong-1: A habitable experimental module and a resources module.

• It has a habitable volume of 15 cubic meters.

• Tiangong-1 is equipped with 2 sleep stations for astronauts.

• The first Chinese orbital docking occurred between Tiangong-1 and an unmanned Shenzhou spacecraft on 2011 November 2.

• 2 manned missions were completed to visit Tiangong-1: Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10.

Manned Visits to Tiangong-1

Shenzhou 9 Shenzhou 10
Launched 2012 June 16 with 3 astronauts Launched 2013 June 11 with 3 astronauts
China’s first female astronaut (Liu Yang) was aboard First Chinese orbital maintenance completed
Completed 2 dockings – 1 computer-controlled, 1 crew-guided More docking tests executed
13 day mission, 11 days spent at station 15 day mission, 13 days spent at station
Has There Been a Loss of Control?
On 2016 March 21, an official Chinese statement declared that telemetry services with Tiangong-1 had ceased. Based on The Aerospace Corporation’s analysis of Two-Line Element set data from the JSpOC, the last orbital adjustment for Tiangong-1 was made in December 2015. Likewise, amateur satellite trackers have been tracking Tiangong-1 and claim it has been orbiting uncontrolled since at least June 2016. On 2016 September 14, China made an official statement that they predict Tiangong-1 will reenter the atmosphere in the latter half of 2017. China later updated its prediction via an announcement to the UN’s Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space on December 8, 2017. It was not mentioned whether the reentry was to be targeted or remain uncontrolled.



FAQs
Where will Tiangong-1 reenter?
It is a well known scientific principle that any measurement or prediction will always have an associated uncertainty. In the case of most reentering objects, the uncertainty associated with predicting reentry location is extremely large and precludes an accurate location prediction until shortly before the reentry has occured. In general, it is much easier to predict an accurate reentry time rather than an accurate reentry location. Based on Tiangong-1’s inclination, however, we can confidently say that this object will reenter somewhere between 43° North and 43° South latitudes.

How Difficult is it to Accurately Predict a Reentry?
Due to the uncertainties involved it is very difficult to predict the exact timing of a space object’s reentry. There are several sources of uncertainty which include: 1) significant variation in the density of the upper layers of the atmosphere, 2) significant uncertainties in the orientation of the space craft over time, uncertainties in some physical properties of the spacecraft such as the exact mass and material composition, and 3) uncertainties in the exact location and speed of the space station. When aggregated, these factors translate into a reentry timing uncertainty that is roughly 20% of the “time to go” (the time between the date of the prediction and the predicted date of reentry).

Will objects from this reentry hit me or my property?
It is highly unlikely that debris from this reentry will strike any person or significantly damage any property. The only known case of space debris striking a person is Ms. Lottie Williams of Tulsa, Oklahoma who was struck by a small piece of space debris in 1996 but was not harmed in any significant way. The Aerospace Corporation will perform a person and property risk calculation for the Tiangong-1 reentry a few weeks prior to the event.

Is this a controlled reentry?
It is unlikely that this is a controlled reentry. Although not declared officially, it is suspected that control of Tiangong-1 was lost and will not be regained before reentry.

Are there people on board? Are they in danger?
No, no astronauts are currently on board Tiangong-1. The last manned mission departed from Tiangong-1 in June 2013.

Can I see the reentry?
It may be possible to see Tiangong-1 reentering depending on your location, the time of day, and visibility during reentry which will not be known until a few days prior to the event. A more detailed predicted reentry region will be provided a few days prior to the reentry time frame. Visibly incandescent objects from this reentry will likely last tens of seconds (up to a minute or more) in contrast with the vast majority of natural meteors which last mere seconds.

What will this reentry look like?
Depending on the time of day and cloud visibility, the reentry may appear as multiple bright streaks moving across the sky in the same direction. Due to the relatively large size of the object, it is expected that there will be many pieces reentering together, some of which may survive reentry and land on the Earth’s surface. Some examples of reentries can be found here: video 1, video 2.

Are there hazardous materials on board?
Potentially, there may be a highly toxic and corrosive substance called hydrazine on board the spacecraft that could survive reentry. For your safety, do not touch any debris you may find on the ground nor inhale vapors it may emit.

Should I report a sighting of the reentry? If so, to whom?
Yes. Contact CORDS at http://www.aerospace.org/cords/contacting-cords/ – Please report your location and time of the sighting, a description of what you saw, and provide any images or videos you may have captured of the reentry.

Is this the largest man made object to ever reenter from space?
No. The largest object to reenter is the Mir space station at 120,000 kg which reentered on 2001 March 23. In comparison, Tiangong-1 is only 8,500 kg. For further space debris reentry information, consult the table on this page.



Tiangong-1 European Space Agency (ESA) Blog
Tiangong-1 FAQ

Tiangong-1 Reentry Update

Tiangong-1 Captured via Telescope

Reentry Test Campaign Announcement



Tiangong-1 in the News
Basic Tiangong-1 background info

Official statement regarding Tiangong-1 telemetry ceasing

Official statement regarding Tiangong-1 reentry

Amateur satellite trackers claim Tiangong-1 likely uncontrolled

Controlled vs. uncontrolled reentries

General reentry info

Newsweek

Wired

New York Times

Reuters: Tiangong-1 is not out of control

China’s Manned Space Program