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

China to establish simple ecosystem on Moon using plants, insects
(People's Daily Online) 13:53, June 13, 2017

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In the 2015 sci-fi box office smash "The Martian," an astronaut played by Matt Damon survives four years on Mars by planting potatoes on the alien planet - a scenario which Chinese scientists say is likely to be realized in 2018, albeit on a different celestial body.

According to the Chongqing Morning Post, a container filled with seeds and insect eggs will be attached to Chang’e 4, China’s second lunar lander, and will be sent to the Moon in 2018. The container, which is made from special aluminium alloy, will demonstrate the growing process of plants and animals on the Moon. It will also provide valuable data and experience for the future establishment of eco-bases on other planets.

“The container will send potatoes, arabidopsis seeds and silkworm eggs to the surface of the Moon. The eggs will hatch into silkworms, which can produce carbon dioxide, while the potatoes and seeds emit oxygen through photosynthesis. Together, they can establish a simple ecosystem on the Moon,” Zhang Yuanxun, chief designer of the container, told the Chongqing Morning Post.

According to Zhang, temperature control and energy supply are the biggest challenges for the establishment of an ecosystem on the Moon. To protect its contents from extreme temperatures, the container will be equipped with a layer of insulation and light pipes to ensure the growth of the plants and insects inside. Specially designed batteries with high energy density will also be installed on the container to provide a consistent energy supply.

The container, which is designed by Chongqing University and 28 other universities in China, has over 100 components. It is 18 centimeters long and weighs 3 kilograms.


:enjoy:

China to 'plant' potatoes on the moon
CRI, June 14, 2017

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Chinese scientists conduct experiments on the cultivation of potato seeds. [File photo/163.com]

Scientists in China have unveiled multiple tasks they plan to carry out as part of the lunar exploration program at the just-concluded Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2017) in Beijing.

Among them, the creation of a "mini ecosystem on the moon's surface" is due to be led by researchers with Chongqing University, reports the Chongqing Morning Post.

The "mini ecosystem" will actually be contained in an 18X16cm cylinder.

It's due to be put on the moon's surface as part the Chang'e-4 mission in 2018, according to Professor Xie Gengxin, head designer of the project.

Potato seeds and the larvae of insects, including the silkworm, will be inside the cylinder.

The goal is to determine whether the potatoes can grow on the moon, and whether the insects can survive.

If they can, this will be major step toward ultimately putting a fully-functioning human colony on Mars.

The project stood out from the 257 experimental ideas put forward to China's lunar exploration program.

Scientists and researchers from 28 different universities in China are now working on designing the hardware needed to carry out the various tests.

http://www.china.org.cn/china/2017-06/14/content_41023534.htm
 
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China launches space telescope to search for black holes, pulsars
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-15 11:39:35|Editor: Mengjie



JIUQUAN, June 15 (Xinhua) -- China launched its first X-ray space telescope to observe black holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts, via a Long March-4B rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert at 11 a.m. Thursday.

The 2.5-tonne Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), dubbed Insight, was sent into an orbit of 550 kilometers above the earth to help scientists better understand the evolution of black holes, and the strong magnetic fields and the interiors of pulsars.

Through the telescope, scientists will also study how to use pulsars for spacecraft navigation, and search for gamma-ray bursts corresponding to gravitational waves.

The result of the wisdom and efforts of several generations of Chinese scientists, Insight is expected to push forward the development of space astronomy and improve space X-ray detection technology in China.

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Launch video from Weibo -> #带着微博去旅行# 震撼发射!

 
Last edited:
China launches space telescope to search for black holes, pulsars
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-15 11:39:35|Editor: Mengjie



JIUQUAN, June 15 (Xinhua) -- China launched its first X-ray space telescope to observe black holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts, via a Long March-4B rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert at 11 a.m. Thursday.

The 2.5-tonne Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), dubbed Insight, was sent into an orbit of 550 kilometers above the earth to help scientists better understand the evolution of black holes, and the strong magnetic fields and the interiors of pulsars.

Through the telescope, scientists will also study how to use pulsars for spacecraft navigation, and search for gamma-ray bursts corresponding to gravitational waves.

The result of the wisdom and efforts of several generations of Chinese scientists, Insight is expected to push forward the development of space astronomy and improve space X-ray detection technology in China.


Launch video from Weibo -> #带着微博去旅行# 震撼发射!


1st of 5-6 launches this month. :D:D
 
China's cargo spacecraft completes second in-orbit refueling
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-15 20:10:29|Editor: An



BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhua) -- China's Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft and Tiangong-2 space lab completed their second in-orbit refueling at 6:28 p.m. Thursday.

The second refueling, lasting about two days, further tested the country's refueling technology and cemented technical results from the first refueling.

Tianzhou-1, China's first cargo spacecraft, was launched on April 20 from south China's Hainan Province, and it completed automated docking with the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab on April 22.

The two spacecraft completed their first in-orbit refueling on April 27, at an orbit of 393 kilometers above the earth.

Since Tianzhou-1 and Tiangong-2 have become a combination, space science experiments and applications have been conducted.

According to the flight plan, Tianzhou-1 will fly around Tiangong-2 and then carry out a second docking.

China is the third country, after Russia and the United States, to master refueling techniques in space, which is crucial in the building of a permanent space station.

As the International Space Station is set to retire in 2024, the Chinese space station will offer a promising alternative, and China will be the only country with a permanent space station.
 
China launches remote-sensing micro-nano satellites
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-15 20:10:33|Editor: An



BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhua) -- China launched two remote-sensing micro-nano satellites on a Long March-4B rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert Thursday.

The OVS-1A and the OVS-1B, the first two satellites of Zhuhai-I remote-sensing micro-nano satellite constellation, are expected to improve the monitoring of geographical, environmental, and geological changes across the country, according to Beijing Institute of Space Science and Technology Information.

Compared with previous remote-sensing satellites, the OVS-1A and the OVS-1B are video satellites, featuring the function of conducting fast "gaze" observation. Its imaging scope covers more than 85 percent of global population.

The launch of the Zhuhai-I satellite constellation, composed of video micro-nano satellites, hyperspectral satellites and radar satellites, will be completed within the next two to three years.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-06/15/c_136368683.htm

China In-orbit Auto-refueling: Second Test
PostAuthorIcon.png
By Leonard David
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June 15th, 2017
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Image from first refueling test as craft approached space lab in April.
Credit: CGTM

Chinese space officials report that a second refueling test has been completed.

The testing involves the country’s Tianzhou-1 and Tiangong-2 space lab.

This second refueling lasted about two days, reports China’s Xinhua news agency “and cemented technical results from the first refueling.”

As China’s first cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-1 was lofted into Earth orbit on April 20 from the Wenchang spaceport in south China’s Hainan Province. The first auto-docking with Tiangong-2 space lab took place on April 22, followed by the two spacecraft completing their first in-orbit refueling on April 27.

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Larger Chinese space station to be constructed on orbit in the 2020s.
Credit: CMSA

29 step program

As reported earlier on CCTV-Plus, during its two-month flight in space, the cargo spacecraft is slated to refuel the space lab three times.

Each refueling is scheduled to demonstrate a different aspect to China’s approach to space refueling. The refueling procedure takes 29 steps to complete and lasts for several days each time.

In-orbit refueling has been deemed as a major need-to-have by Chinese space officials to further their future space station plans – a multi-module complex to be completed in the mid-2020’s.


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Posted in Space News

http://www.leonarddavid.com/china-in-orbit-auto-refueling-second-test/

China launches X-ray telescope via Long March 4B
June 14, 2017 by Rui C. Barbosa
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Initially scheduled for launch back in 2010, China has finally launched the long-awaited Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT) using a Long March-4B (Chang Zheng-4) launch vehicle from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Launch took place at 03:00 UTC from the 603 Launch Pad of the LC43 Launch Complex. The new orbiting telescope will be used to monitor pulsars and other objects that could help unravel the mystery of their energy sources.

Scanning the hard x-rays:

Compared with previous X-ray astronomical satellites, HXMT has a larger detection area, broader energy range and wider field of view. These gives it advantages in observing black holes and neutron stars emitting bright X-rays, and it can more efficiently scan the galaxy.

The Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope was initially proposed by IHEP (Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences) scientists Li Tibei and Wu Mei based on their innovative direct demodulation image reconstruction method.

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The main scientific objectives of HXMT are to scan the galactic plane to find new transient sources, to monitor the known variable sources, and to observe X-ray binaries to study the dynamics and emission mechanism in strong gravitational or magnetic fields.

There are three main payloads onboard HXMT, the high energy X-ray telescope (20-250 keV, 5100 cm2), the medium energy X-ray telescope (5-30 keV, 952 cm2), and the low energy X-ray telescope (1-15 keV, 384 cm2). All these three telescopes are collimated instruments.

Using the direct demodulation method and scanning observations, HXMT can obtain X-ray images with high spatial resolution, while the large detection areas of these telescopes also allow pointed observations with high statistics and high signal to noise ratio.

It is expected that HXMT will discover a large number of new transient X-ray sources and will study the temporal and spectral properties of accreting black hole and neutron star systems in more details than the previous X-ray missions.

The payload module of the HXMT was developed by IHEP and Tsinghua University, while the satellite bus was developed by the Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST) based on the Ziyuan-2 / Phoenix-Eye-2 satellite bus.

Launch mass of HXMT is 2,800 kg and its dimensions are 2.0 by 2.0 by 2.8 meters.

The Zhuhai-1 and ÑuSat-3 satellites:

With a launch mass of 50 kg each, the Zhuhai-1 earth observation satellites are the video component of the Chinese Orbita Earth observation system. Two OVS-1 (OVS-1a and OVS-1b) satellites constitute the prototype OVS-1 video component. The operational Orbita constellation is to consist of video satellites (OVS-2), hyperspectral satellites (OHS-2) and small personal satellites (OPS 2).
The additional payload on this launch is composed by the Argentinian ÑuSat-3 “Milanesat” satellite that is the third satellite in the Aleph-1 constellation developed and operated by Satellogic S.A.. The Aleph-1 constellation will consist of up to 25 satellites.

The satellite has mass of 37 kg, with dimensions 450mm x 450mm x 800mm. The primary objective of the mission is to commercially provide Earth observation images to the general public, in the visible and infrared parts of the spectrum.

The satellite is equipped with cameras operating in visible light and infrared, and will operate in 500 km SSO orbit with inclination at 97.5°.

ÑuSat-4 and ÑuSat-5 will be launched in August 2017.

The Long March-4B launch vehicle:

The feasibility study of the Chang Zheng-4 began in 1982 based on the FB-1 Feng Bao-1 launch vehicle. Engineering development was initiated in the following year. Initially, the Chang Zheng-4 served as a back-up launch vehicle for Chang Zheng-3 to launch China’s communications satellites.

After the successful launch of China’s first DFH-2 communications satellites by Chang Zheng-3, the main mission of the Chang Zheng-4 was shifted to launch sun-synchronous orbit meteorological satellites. On other hand, the Chang Zheng-4B launch vehicle was first introduced in May 1999 and also developed by the Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology (SAST), based on the Chang Zheng-4.

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The rocket is capable of launching a 2,800 kg satellite into low Earth orbit, developing 2,971 kN at launch. With a mass of 248,470 kg, the CZ-4B is 45.58 meters long and has a diameter of 3.35 meters.

SAST began to develop the Chang Zheng-4B in February 1989. Originally, it was scheduled to be commissioned in 1997, but the first launch didn’t take place until late 1999. The modifications introduced on the Chang Zheng-4B included a larger satellite fairing and the replacement of the original mechanical-electrical control on the Chang Zheng-4 with an electronic control.

Other modifications were an improved telemetry, tracking, control, and self-destruction systems with smaller size and lighter weight; a revised nozzle design in the second stage for better high-altitude performance; a propellant management system for the second stage to reduce the spare propellant amount, thus increasing the vehicle’s payload capability and a propellant jettison system on the third-stage.

The first stage has a 24.65 meter length with a 3.35 meter diameter, consuming 183,340 kg of N2O4/UDMH (gross mass of first stage is 193.330 kg). The vehicle is equipped with a YF-21B engine capable of a ground thrust of 2,971 kN and a ground specific impulse of 2,550 Ns/kg. The second stage has a 10.40 meter length with a 3.35 meter diameter and 38,326 kg, consuming 35,374 kg of N2O4/UDMH.

The vehicle is equipped with a YF-22B main engine capable of a vacuum thrust of 742 kN and four YF-23B vernier engines with a vacuum thrust of 47.1 kN (specific impulses of 2,922 Ns/kg and 2,834 Ns/kg, respectively).

The third stage has a 4.93 meter length with a 2.9 meter diameter, consuming 12,814 kg of N2O4/UDMH. Having a gross mass of 14,560 kg, it is equipped with a YF-40 engine capable of a vacuum thrust of 100.8 kN and a specific impulse in vacuum of 2,971 Ns/kg.

Launch Site:

The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in Ejin-Banner – a county in Alashan League of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region – was the first Chinese satellite launch center and is also known as the Shuang Cheng Tze launch center.

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The site includes a Technical Centre, two Launch Complexes, Mission Command and Control Centre, Launch Control Centre, propellant fuelling systems, tracking and communication systems, gas supply systems, weather forecast systems, and logistic support systems.

Jiuquan was originally used to launch scientific and recoverable satellites into medium or low earth orbits at high inclinations. It is also the place from where all the Chinese manned missions are launched.

The LC-43 launch complex, also known by South Launch Site (SLS) is equipped with two launch pads: 921 and 603. Launch pad 921 is used for the manned program for the launch of the Chang Zheng-2F launch vehicle (Shenzhou and Tiangong). The 603 launch pad is used for unmanned orbital launches by the Chang Zheng-2C, Chang Zheng-2D and Chang Zheng-4C launch vehicles.

Other launch zones at the launch site are used for launching the Kuaizhou and the CZ-11 Chang Zheng-11 solid propellant launch vehicles.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/06/china-x-ray-telescope-long-march-4b/

Zhongxing-9A (Chinasat-9A), CZ-3B/E - XSLC -


A1436/17
- A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY: N260808E1142921-N261444E1140013-N255858E1135553-N255223E1142456 BACK TO START.VERTICAL LIMITS:GND-UNL. GND - UNL, 18 JUN 16:05 2017 UNTIL 18 JUN 16:51 2017. CREATED: 14 JUN 23:37 2017
 
China launches space telescope to search for black holes, pulsars
Xinhua 2017-06-15 14:15:54

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The Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), being lifted onto a Long March-4B rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China June 15, 2017. © AFP

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A Long March-4B rocket carrying the Insight X-ray telescope lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert on Thursday. | AFP-JIJI

JIUQUAN, June 15 (Xinhua) -- China launched its first X-ray space telescope to observe black holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts, via a Long March-4B rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert at 11 a.m. Thursday.

The 2.5-tonne Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), dubbed Insight, was sent into an orbit of 550 kilometers above the earth to help scientists better understand the evolution of black holes, and the strong magnetic fields and the interiors of pulsars.

Through the telescope, scientists will also study how to use pulsars for spacecraft navigation, and search for gamma-ray bursts corresponding to gravitational waves.

The result of the wisdom and efforts of several generations of Chinese scientists, Insight is expected to push forward the development of space astronomy and improve space X-ray detection technology in China.

Insight can be regarded as a small observatory in space, as it carries a trio of detectors -- the high energy X-ray telescope (HE), the medium energy X-ray telescope (ME) and the low energy X-ray telescope (LE) -- that cover a broad energy band from 1 keV to 250 keV, said Lu Fangjun, chief designer of the payload.

Based on the demodulation technique first proposed by Li Tipei, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in 1993, the HE has a total detection area of more than 5,000 square centimeters, the world's largest in its energy band.

"Given it has a larger detection area than other X-ray probes, HXMT can identify more features of known sources," said Xiong Shaolin, a scientist at the Institute of High Energy Physics of the CAS.​

Chen Yong, chief designer of the LE, said X-rays of lower energy usually have more photons, so a telescope based on a focusing technique is not suitable for observing very bright objects emitting soft X-rays, as too many photons at a time will result in over-exposure.

But HXMT won't have that problem, as its collimators diffuse photons instead of focusing them. "No matter how bright the sources are, our telescope won't be blinded," said Chen.

According to Zhang Shuangnan, HXMT lead scientist, the satellite's developers found that a set of HXMT high-energy detectors, originally designed to shield background noises caused by unwanted X-ray photons, especially those from behind the telescope, could be adjusted to observe gamma-ray bursts.

The creative new function pushes the satellite's observation band up to 3 MeV and will get a very good energy spectrum, Zhang said.

"We are looking forward to discovering new activities of black holes and studying the state of neutron stars under extreme gravity and density conditions, and physical laws under extreme magnetic fields. These studies are expected to bring new breakthroughs in physics."

Compared with X-ray astronomical satellites of other countries, HXMT has a larger detection area, broader energy range and wider field of view. These give it advantages in observing black holes and neutron stars emitting bright X-rays, and it can more efficiently scan the galaxy, Zhang said.

Other satellites have conducted sky surveys and found many celestial sources of X-rays. However, the sources are often variable, and occasional intense flares can be missed in just one or two surveys, according to him.

New surveys can discover either new X-ray sources or new activities in known sources. So HXMT will repeatedly scan the Milky Way for active and variable celestial bodies emitting X-rays.

"There are so many black holes and neutron stars in the universe, but we don't have a thorough understanding of any of them. So we need new satellites to observe more," Zhang said.​

"Black holes will be the focus of our observation since they are very interesting, and can generate various types of radiation, including X-rays and high energy cosmic rays, as well as strong jets."

black-hole.jpg


So far about 20 black holes have been found in our galaxy. "We hope our telescope can discover more black holes. We also hope to better observe the black holes already discovered."

Sometimes a black hole is calm, but other times it's very "bad tempered." When a black hole gets "angry," it generates very strong X-rays or gamma ray bursts or jet-flows, Zhang explained.

Other countries have sent several X-ray satellites into orbit, but most are suitable for observing only relatively calm black holes. However, HXMT is suitable for observing angry black holes and neutron stars.

"We are still not clear why some black holes suddenly get angry, since we haven't observed them for long enough," said Zhang. "We plan to make a thorough survey of black holes and neutron stars in the galaxy."

A neutron star, or a pulsar, is so strange that when the first one was discovered, it was mistaken for signals from aliens. There are still many mysteries about this kind of star.

"We are still not clear about the interiors of pulsars. Current physical laws cannot describe the substances in the state of a pulsar well, since no lab on Earth can create a density as high as a pulsar. So we have to conduct more observations of pulsars."​

Since the detection of gravitational waves, scientists have been eager to find electromagnetic signals corresponding to the gravitational waves. This will be an important task for Insight.

Some scientists suspect that mysterious gamma-ray bursts could be electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves.

HXMT's effective detection area for monitoring gamma-ray bursts is 10 times that of the US Fermi space telescope. Scientists estimate that HXMT could detect almost 200 gamma-ray burst events a year.

"HXMT can play a vital role in searching for electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves," said Zhang. "If HXMT can detect electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves, it would be its most wonderful scientific finding."

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-06/15/c_136367916.htm
 
Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT)
There are three main payloads onboard HXMT, the high energy X-ray telescope (20-250 keV, 5100 cm2), the medium energy X-ray telescope (5-30 keV, 952 cm2), and the low energy X-ray telescope (1-15 keV, 384 cm2). All these three telescopes are collimated instruments.
The OVS-1A and the OVS-1B, the first two satellites of Zhuhai-I remote-sensing micro-nano satellite constellation
Argentinian ÑuSat-3 “Milanesat” satellite
So yesterday CZ-4B (Long March 4B) took these cargo up to their respective orbits is that right? A quick summary:
  1. HXMT which comprised of three telescopes
  2. OVS-1A
  3. OVS-1B
  4. Argentinian ÑuSat-3 “Milanesat” satellite
 
China launches space telescope to search for black holes, pulsars
Xinhua 2017-06-15 14:15:54

View attachment 403883
The Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), being lifted onto a Long March-4B rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China June 15, 2017. © AFP

View attachment 403886
A Long March-4B rocket carrying the Insight X-ray telescope lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert on Thursday. | AFP-JIJI

JIUQUAN, June 15 (Xinhua) -- China launched its first X-ray space telescope to observe black holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts, via a Long March-4B rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert at 11 a.m. Thursday.

The 2.5-tonne Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), dubbed Insight, was sent into an orbit of 550 kilometers above the earth to help scientists better understand the evolution of black holes, and the strong magnetic fields and the interiors of pulsars.

Through the telescope, scientists will also study how to use pulsars for spacecraft navigation, and search for gamma-ray bursts corresponding to gravitational waves.

The result of the wisdom and efforts of several generations of Chinese scientists, Insight is expected to push forward the development of space astronomy and improve space X-ray detection technology in China.

Insight can be regarded as a small observatory in space, as it carries a trio of detectors -- the high energy X-ray telescope (HE), the medium energy X-ray telescope (ME) and the low energy X-ray telescope (LE) -- that cover a broad energy band from 1 keV to 250 keV, said Lu Fangjun, chief designer of the payload.

Based on the demodulation technique first proposed by Li Tipei, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in 1993, the HE has a total detection area of more than 5,000 square centimeters, the world's largest in its energy band.

"Given it has a larger detection area than other X-ray probes, HXMT can identify more features of known sources," said Xiong Shaolin, a scientist at the Institute of High Energy Physics of the CAS.​

Chen Yong, chief designer of the LE, said X-rays of lower energy usually have more photons, so a telescope based on a focusing technique is not suitable for observing very bright objects emitting soft X-rays, as too many photons at a time will result in over-exposure.

But HXMT won't have that problem, as its collimators diffuse photons instead of focusing them. "No matter how bright the sources are, our telescope won't be blinded," said Chen.

According to Zhang Shuangnan, HXMT lead scientist, the satellite's developers found that a set of HXMT high-energy detectors, originally designed to shield background noises caused by unwanted X-ray photons, especially those from behind the telescope, could be adjusted to observe gamma-ray bursts.

The creative new function pushes the satellite's observation band up to 3 MeV and will get a very good energy spectrum, Zhang said.

"We are looking forward to discovering new activities of black holes and studying the state of neutron stars under extreme gravity and density conditions, and physical laws under extreme magnetic fields. These studies are expected to bring new breakthroughs in physics."

Compared with X-ray astronomical satellites of other countries, HXMT has a larger detection area, broader energy range and wider field of view. These give it advantages in observing black holes and neutron stars emitting bright X-rays, and it can more efficiently scan the galaxy, Zhang said.

Other satellites have conducted sky surveys and found many celestial sources of X-rays. However, the sources are often variable, and occasional intense flares can be missed in just one or two surveys, according to him.

New surveys can discover either new X-ray sources or new activities in known sources. So HXMT will repeatedly scan the Milky Way for active and variable celestial bodies emitting X-rays.

"There are so many black holes and neutron stars in the universe, but we don't have a thorough understanding of any of them. So we need new satellites to observe more," Zhang said.​

"Black holes will be the focus of our observation since they are very interesting, and can generate various types of radiation, including X-rays and high energy cosmic rays, as well as strong jets."

View attachment 403888

So far about 20 black holes have been found in our galaxy. "We hope our telescope can discover more black holes. We also hope to better observe the black holes already discovered."

Sometimes a black hole is calm, but other times it's very "bad tempered." When a black hole gets "angry," it generates very strong X-rays or gamma ray bursts or jet-flows, Zhang explained.

Other countries have sent several X-ray satellites into orbit, but most are suitable for observing only relatively calm black holes. However, HXMT is suitable for observing angry black holes and neutron stars.

"We are still not clear why some black holes suddenly get angry, since we haven't observed them for long enough," said Zhang. "We plan to make a thorough survey of black holes and neutron stars in the galaxy."

A neutron star, or a pulsar, is so strange that when the first one was discovered, it was mistaken for signals from aliens. There are still many mysteries about this kind of star.

"We are still not clear about the interiors of pulsars. Current physical laws cannot describe the substances in the state of a pulsar well, since no lab on Earth can create a density as high as a pulsar. So we have to conduct more observations of pulsars."​

Since the detection of gravitational waves, scientists have been eager to find electromagnetic signals corresponding to the gravitational waves. This will be an important task for Insight.

Some scientists suspect that mysterious gamma-ray bursts could be electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves.

HXMT's effective detection area for monitoring gamma-ray bursts is 10 times that of the US Fermi space telescope. Scientists estimate that HXMT could detect almost 200 gamma-ray burst events a year.

"HXMT can play a vital role in searching for electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves," said Zhang. "If HXMT can detect electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves, it would be its most wonderful scientific finding."

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-06/15/c_136367916.htm

Good luck, brothers. Hope you'll find and dig it out. :tup: :china:
 
So yesterday CZ-4B (Long March 4B) took these cargo up to their respective orbits is that right? A quick summary:
  1. HXMT which comprised of three telescopes
  2. OVS-1A
  3. OVS-1B
  4. Argentinian ÑuSat-3 “Milanesat” satellite

Right:D

China to launch four more probes before 2021

2017-06-16 13:12

Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping

China will launch a further four space probes before 2021 as part of the efforts to develop space science, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence Friday.

The China-Italy Electromagnetic Monitoring Experiment Satellite will be launched this August to study phenomena related to earthquakes from space.

The China-France Oceanography Satellite is expected to be launched in 2018. It will study ocean-surface wind and waves to improve forecasts for ocean waves and strengthen disaster prevention and mitigation.

An astronomical satellite jointly developed by China and France will be launched in 2021 to study gamma rays and provide data for research in dark energy and the evolution of the universe.

China plans to launch the country's first Mars probe in 2020, which is expected to orbit the red planet, land and deploy a rover in just one mission.​

These will be the major probes in the country's space program in the coming years, following Thursday's launch of the country's first X-ray space telescope, the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope.

The X-ray probe, dubbed Insight, was launched to observe compact objects such as black holes or neutron stars. It is expected to push forward the development of space astronomy and improve space X-ray detection technology in China.

Zhao Jian, deputy director of the administration's system engineering department, said the telescope boasted a wider band, larger detection area and broader field of view for observation, making it possible for China to make breakthroughs in space technology.

Zhao said over the past 50-plus years, China's space industry had started from scratch and grown into a field covering space astronomy, space physics, solar exploration, microgravity and space life.

In the coming years, China will also continue lunar missions, consider exploration to the Jupiter system, and do more research in enhanced X-ray Timing and the Polarimetry mission.

"China is open to more international collaboration in space science," Zhao said. "China will actively conduct international cooperation in areas including lunar and Mars probes, manned space missions and space environment exploration."

"China would also like to lead international cooperation in some major projects and actively participate in major international space science programs," Zhao said.​

http://www.ecns.cn/2017/06-16/261771.shtml
 
Right:D

China to launch four more probes before 2021

2017-06-16 13:12

Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping

China will launch a further four space probes before 2021 as part of the efforts to develop space science, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence Friday.

The China-Italy Electromagnetic Monitoring Experiment Satellite will be launched this August to study phenomena related to earthquakes from space.

The China-France Oceanography Satellite is expected to be launched in 2018. It will study ocean-surface wind and waves to improve forecasts for ocean waves and strengthen disaster prevention and mitigation.

An astronomical satellite jointly developed by China and France will be launched in 2021 to study gamma rays and provide data for research in dark energy and the evolution of the universe.

China plans to launch the country's first Mars probe in 2020, which is expected to orbit the red planet, land and deploy a rover in just one mission.​

These will be the major probes in the country's space program in the coming years, following Thursday's launch of the country's first X-ray space telescope, the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope.

The X-ray probe, dubbed Insight, was launched to observe compact objects such as black holes or neutron stars. It is expected to push forward the development of space astronomy and improve space X-ray detection technology in China.

Zhao Jian, deputy director of the administration's system engineering department, said the telescope boasted a wider band, larger detection area and broader field of view for observation, making it possible for China to make breakthroughs in space technology.

Zhao said over the past 50-plus years, China's space industry had started from scratch and grown into a field covering space astronomy, space physics, solar exploration, microgravity and space life.

In the coming years, China will also continue lunar missions, consider exploration to the Jupiter system, and do more research in enhanced X-ray Timing and the Polarimetry mission.

"China is open to more international collaboration in space science," Zhao said. "China will actively conduct international cooperation in areas including lunar and Mars probes, manned space missions and space environment exploration."

"China would also like to lead international cooperation in some major projects and actively participate in major international space science programs," Zhao said.​

http://www.ecns.cn/2017/06-16/261771.shtml

2017-034A 42758 TBA OBJECT A 95.47min 43.02° 546km 537km
2017-034B 42759 TBA OBJECT B 95.43min 43.02° 545km 534km
2017-034C 42760 TBA OBJECT C 95.45min 43.01° 545km 536km
2017-034D 42761 TBA OBJECT D 95.43min 43.02° 545km 534km
2017-034E 42762 ROCKET BODY 92.66min 43.12° 542km 268km
 
2017-034A 42758 TBA OBJECT A 95.47min 43.02° 546km 537km
2017-034B 42759 TBA OBJECT B 95.43min 43.02° 545km 534km
2017-034C 42760 TBA OBJECT C 95.45min 43.01° 545km 536km
2017-034D 42761 TBA OBJECT D 95.43min 43.02° 545km 534km
2017-034E 42762 ROCKET BODY 92.66min 43.12° 542km 268km

About the real-time telemetering of the rocket body:

长征四号乙火箭此次任务是国内首次开展运载一二级分离后的一子级实时遥测任务。将为提高运载火箭一级落区预报精度,乃至后续可控回收做出重要支撑。
Auto translate: 4B rocket This mission is the first time in China to carry out 1st stage real-timely telemetry task after 1st and 2nd stage separation. It will be an important support to improve the accuracy of the first-stage falling area prediction of launch vehicle and even the subsequent controllable recovery.


:enjoy::enjoy:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
June 18 (14:00 (?) - CZ-3B/G2 - XSLC - ZX-9A Zhongxing-9A

A1436/17 - A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY: N260808E1142921-N261444E1140013-N255858E1135553-N255223E1142456 BACK TO START.VERTICAL LIMITS:GND-UNL. GND - UNL, 18 JUN 16:05 2017 UNTIL 18 JUN 16:51 2017. CREATED: 14 JUN 23:37 2017

2 NOTAMed areas for resp. boosters and fairing debris indicated in the figure below:

 
China receives data from first X-ray space telescope
Xinhua, June 17, 2017

8c89a590f56c1aaecc1304.jpg

A Long March-4B rocket carrying X-ray space telescope to observe black holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts blasts off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert, June 15, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]


China Friday received the first package of data from its x-ray space telescope launched Thursday, according to the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The package of high quality data with a total size of 2.1 gigabytes was received by the remote sensing satellite station in northwest China's Kashgar, before being transferred to the CAS National Space Science Center.

The ground stations in Beijing's Miyun District and south China's Sanya also tracked the signals from the telescope.

Weighing 2.5 tonnes, the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope, dubbed Insight, was launched via a Long March-4B rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert at 11 a.m. Thursday.

In the following five days, other components of Insight will start working in succession.

After five months of in-orbit tests and calibrations, the telescope will be officially put into use to conduct broadband x-ray space observations. Its main tasks are to observe black holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts.

Kicking off in March 2011, the Insight project was jointly carried out by the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence and the CAS, and is a crucial part of China's high-energy astrophysics space research.
 

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