samsara
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Two new BeiDou-3 positioning satellites, for global coverage,
will be launched on 05 November at around 11:30 UTC from the XSLC.
China Space Military：Recon, Satcom, Navi, ASAT/BMD, Orbital Vehicle, SLV, etc.
- Thread starter kvLin
- Start date
will be launched on 05 November at around 11:30 UTC from the XSLC.
JSCh
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Last edited:
samsara
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A new phase of BeiDou GNSS, 18 BeiDou-3 satellites will be launched
by the end of 2018, over 30 satellites in orbit around 2020.
China launches two BeiDou-3 navigation satellites on single carrier rocket
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-06 00:29:37|Editor: Mengjie
China launched two BeiDou-3 satellites into space via a single carrier rocket to support its global navigation and
positioning network at 7:45 p.m. Sunday. (Xinhua/Yang Zhiyuan)
XICHANG, Sichuan Province, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- China launched two BeiDou-3 satellites into space via a single carrier rocket to support its global navigation and positioning network at 7:45 p.m. Sunday.
The satellites were aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket which took off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan.
This is the first two BeiDou-3 satellites launched by China, as its self-developed BeiDou Navigation Satellite System officially began to expand into a global network.
Named after the Chinese term for the plough or the Big Dipper constellation, the BeiDou project was formally initiated in 1994. It began to serve China in 2000 and the Asia-Pacific region at the end of 2012.
China plans to building BeiDou into a global positioning and navigation system by around 2020, making it the third country in the world after the United States and Russia to operate its own navigation system.
Compared to earlier generation satellites, the BeiDou-3 is able to send signals that are better compatible with other satellite navigation systems and provide satellite-based augmentation, as well as search and rescue services in accordance with international standards.
"New technology has significantly improved the performance of the BeiDou-3, with the signal accuracy in space higher than half a meter while its positioning accuracy has reached 2.5 to five meters," said Yang Changfeng, chief designer of the BeiDou system.
China plans to launch 18 BeiDou-3 satellites around the end of 2018 to expand the BeiDou services to the countries along the Belt and Road routes.
By around 2020, when the system goes global, it will have more than 30 satellites.
"Launches featuring two or more satellites on a single carrier rocket will be conducted regularly," said Ye Chengmin, deputy chief designer of the Long March-3A carrier rocket.
All the BeiDou satellites currently in space were sent up from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, said Lin Yunan, head of the human resources department of the center.
The BeiDou-3 satellites and the carrier rocket were developed by China Academy of Space Technology and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, respectively.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-11/06/c_136730074_2.htm
ChinaSpaceflight @cnspaceflight: 【北斗卫星】打码与不打码。(Pixelated & Non-pixelated images)
Here's a less than 40-second footage from CCTV about the launch:
。。。
by the end of 2018, over 30 satellites in orbit around 2020.
China launches two BeiDou-3 navigation satellites on single carrier rocket
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-06 00:29:37|Editor: Mengjie
China launched two BeiDou-3 satellites into space via a single carrier rocket to support its global navigation and
positioning network at 7:45 p.m. Sunday. (Xinhua/Yang Zhiyuan)
XICHANG, Sichuan Province, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- China launched two BeiDou-3 satellites into space via a single carrier rocket to support its global navigation and positioning network at 7:45 p.m. Sunday.
The satellites were aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket which took off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan.
This is the first two BeiDou-3 satellites launched by China, as its self-developed BeiDou Navigation Satellite System officially began to expand into a global network.
Named after the Chinese term for the plough or the Big Dipper constellation, the BeiDou project was formally initiated in 1994. It began to serve China in 2000 and the Asia-Pacific region at the end of 2012.
China plans to building BeiDou into a global positioning and navigation system by around 2020, making it the third country in the world after the United States and Russia to operate its own navigation system.
Compared to earlier generation satellites, the BeiDou-3 is able to send signals that are better compatible with other satellite navigation systems and provide satellite-based augmentation, as well as search and rescue services in accordance with international standards.
"New technology has significantly improved the performance of the BeiDou-3, with the signal accuracy in space higher than half a meter while its positioning accuracy has reached 2.5 to five meters," said Yang Changfeng, chief designer of the BeiDou system.
China plans to launch 18 BeiDou-3 satellites around the end of 2018 to expand the BeiDou services to the countries along the Belt and Road routes.
By around 2020, when the system goes global, it will have more than 30 satellites.
"Launches featuring two or more satellites on a single carrier rocket will be conducted regularly," said Ye Chengmin, deputy chief designer of the Long March-3A carrier rocket.
All the BeiDou satellites currently in space were sent up from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, said Lin Yunan, head of the human resources department of the center.
The BeiDou-3 satellites and the carrier rocket were developed by China Academy of Space Technology and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, respectively.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-11/06/c_136730074_2.htm
ChinaSpaceflight @cnspaceflight: 【北斗卫星】打码与不打码。(Pixelated & Non-pixelated images)
Here's a less than 40-second footage from CCTV about the launch:
Last edited:
JSCh
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China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System expands into a global network
By Zhang Huan (People's Daily Online) 16:01, November 06, 2017
China launched the first two of the BeiDou-3 satellites into space on Sunday evening, indicating that its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System has begun to expand into a global network, Cyol.com reported on Nov 6.
Positioning accuracy of the BeiDou-3 satellites have an accuracy of 2.5 to five meters, which is comparable with that of GPS, said Xie Jun, chief designer of the satellite at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASTC).
In addition, the system can provide users with high-precision surveying and mapping data. For example, it can measure several millimeters of building subsidence after an earthquake, Xie noted.
The BeiDou system not only provides navigation services but communication services, as some of its satellites are in a geostationary orbit, Xie said.
Moreover, their design life can reach the international level of 10 or more years, as high standards were set for selecting components and parts of the satellites to ensure continuity, reliability, and stability of services, according to Chi Jun, general director of the satellites at CASTC.
The BeiDou system will not only serve Chinese people, but also people around the world, noted Chi, adding that the system is compatible with other satellite navigation systems, providing an alternative for users.
Once China’s BeiDou, America’s GPS, Europe’s GALILEO, and Russia’s GLONASS are constructed, there will be more than 100 navigation satellites in use, according to Chi.
###
Better rubidium clocks increase BeiDou satnav accuracy
Xinhua | Updated: 2017-11-06 15:37
XICHANG, Sichuan Province -- New, ultra-accurate rubidium atomic clocks on board two BeiDou-3 satellites launched into space Sunday have greatly improved the accuracy of the system.
The two satellites are equipped with more reliable rubidium atomic timekeepers than those in previous BeiDou satellites. According to Yang Changfeng, chief designer of the satellite system, their stability was as high as E-14. "It means only one second of deviation in 3 million years," he said.
Important payloads of the navigation satellites, atomic clocks are the workhorses which synchronize the signals that allow satnav receivers to triangulate their position on Earth.
"The stability of the new-generation clocks has been improved by 10 times, compared with those carried by BeiDou-2 satellites," said Qu Yongsheng from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation fifth research institute, Xi'an branch, developer of the clocks.
Qu said this new technology has raised the positioning accuracy of the BeiDou-3 to 2.5 - 5 meters from 10 meters in the past.
Named after the Chinese term the Big Dipper constellation, the BeiDou project was formally initiated in 1994, began to serve China in 2000 and was expanded across the Asia-Pacific region at the end of 2012.
BeiDou is intended to become a global positioning and navigation system by around 2020.
By Zhang Huan (People's Daily Online) 16:01, November 06, 2017
China launched the first two of the BeiDou-3 satellites into space on Sunday evening, indicating that its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System has begun to expand into a global network, Cyol.com reported on Nov 6.
Positioning accuracy of the BeiDou-3 satellites have an accuracy of 2.5 to five meters, which is comparable with that of GPS, said Xie Jun, chief designer of the satellite at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASTC).
In addition, the system can provide users with high-precision surveying and mapping data. For example, it can measure several millimeters of building subsidence after an earthquake, Xie noted.
The BeiDou system not only provides navigation services but communication services, as some of its satellites are in a geostationary orbit, Xie said.
Moreover, their design life can reach the international level of 10 or more years, as high standards were set for selecting components and parts of the satellites to ensure continuity, reliability, and stability of services, according to Chi Jun, general director of the satellites at CASTC.
The BeiDou system will not only serve Chinese people, but also people around the world, noted Chi, adding that the system is compatible with other satellite navigation systems, providing an alternative for users.
Once China’s BeiDou, America’s GPS, Europe’s GALILEO, and Russia’s GLONASS are constructed, there will be more than 100 navigation satellites in use, according to Chi.
###
Xinhua | Updated: 2017-11-06 15:37
XICHANG, Sichuan Province -- New, ultra-accurate rubidium atomic clocks on board two BeiDou-3 satellites launched into space Sunday have greatly improved the accuracy of the system.
The two satellites are equipped with more reliable rubidium atomic timekeepers than those in previous BeiDou satellites. According to Yang Changfeng, chief designer of the satellite system, their stability was as high as E-14. "It means only one second of deviation in 3 million years," he said.
Important payloads of the navigation satellites, atomic clocks are the workhorses which synchronize the signals that allow satnav receivers to triangulate their position on Earth.
"The stability of the new-generation clocks has been improved by 10 times, compared with those carried by BeiDou-2 satellites," said Qu Yongsheng from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation fifth research institute, Xi'an branch, developer of the clocks.
Qu said this new technology has raised the positioning accuracy of the BeiDou-3 to 2.5 - 5 meters from 10 meters in the past.
Named after the Chinese term the Big Dipper constellation, the BeiDou project was formally initiated in 1994, began to serve China in 2000 and was expanded across the Asia-Pacific region at the end of 2012.
BeiDou is intended to become a global positioning and navigation system by around 2020.
Zarvan
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China launched a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang space centre in Sichuan Province on 5 November that placed two more Beidou-3 navigation satellites into medium Earth orbit. Source: Xinhua
China launched a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang space centre in Sichuan Province on 5 November that placed two more Beidou-3 navigation satellites into medium Earth orbit (MEO).
The launch of the satellites had been expected in July, but investigations into the failure of a similar rocket to place a communications satellite in the correct orbit in June led to the four-month delay.
The Beidou programme is being implemented in three phases and more than 30 satellites have been launched since October 2000. Four satellites were placed in orbit during the first phase, Beidou-1, which was largely experimental and was then superseded by Beidou-2, which became operational in 2012. The 12 operational Beidou-2 satellites provide coverage over China and the Asia-Pacific region.
Unlike the US Global Positioning System (GPS), which operates four or more satellites in each of six medium Earth orbital planes, the Beidou system has satellites in geostationary (GEO), inclined geosynchronous (IGSO) and MEOs.
The latest satellites to be launched are elements of the Beidou-3 constellation, which have been placed in MEOs at an altitude of 21,500 km. Up to 18 more Beidou-3 satellites are expected to be launched by the end of 2018, which will extend coverage to all countries involved in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The full constellation of 27 MEO, 5 GEO and 3 IGSO satellites is planned for completion by 2020 and is set to provide worldwide coverage.
A report by the state-owned China Daily newspaper states that development of the Beidou-3 system began in 2009 and that five satellites launched in 2015 and 2016 were used to validate the technologies to be used in the upgraded system.
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http://www.janes.com/article/75501/china-adds-two-more-satellites-to-beidou-3-constellation
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Sci-tech
Hawking: China could be part of Starshot program
2017-11-08 09:12China Daily Editor: Wang Zihao ECNS App Download
Stephen Hawking wants humans to travel to the stars, like in the science fiction television series Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry, with his Breakthrough Starshot program and is seeking China's help to make it a reality.
The ambitious program involves building tiny, light-propelled robotic spacecraft that could visit nearby stars in short journeys.
"Breakthrough Starshot is an opportunity for man to make early forays into outer space, with a view to probing and weighing the possibilities of colonisation," said Hawking in a video address at Tencent's We Summit, an annual gathering where luminaries share ideas on science and technology.
Breakthrough Starshot has been initiated by Stephen Hawking and Russian entrepreneur Yuri Milner and aims to build laser beam-propelled "nanocraft" that can travel at 20 percent of the speed of light and is much faster than today's swiftest spacecraft.
Once the "nanocrafts" are built and deployed, they can reach Alpha Centauri, 4.37 light-years away from the Sun and is the closest star system, in about 20 years.
"China is certainly a major player in promoting such a program. We are looking forward to working closely with Chinese experts and institutes," said Pete Worden, executive director of the Breakthrough Starshot program and former director of NASA Ames Research Center.
The Breakthrough Starshot spacecraft will consist of a wafer-size chip attached to a super-thin sail. The paired duo will be launched into space from a mother ship, and then propelled to the stars by laser light beamed from a high-altitude facility here on Earth.
According to Worden, the program needs $1 billion to build the preliminary prototype craft within five or six years. It would need $10 billion to complete the program and the funds would be raised from China and several other countries, he said.
"China did quite well as some developed countries in various areas including satellites. Notably, the country is good at lowering the cost to an affordable level when making satellite transmitters," he added.
There are still major challenges before the Breakthrough Starshot program can be made a reality, admitted Hawking. These include challenges like how to combine hundreds of lasers through the motion of the atmosphere, propel the nanocraft without incinerating them, and aim them in the right direction, the renowned physicist said.
Hawking predicted that by 2600, the world's population would be standing shoulder to shoulder and the electricity consumption would make the Earth glow red hot.
To avoid the potential for Armageddon, Hawking said that the best way is to move out into space, and explore the potential for humans to live on other planets.
"If the human race is to continue for another million years, we will have to boldly go, where no one has gone before."
Hawking: China could be part of Starshot program
2017-11-08 09:12China Daily Editor: Wang Zihao ECNS App Download
Stephen Hawking wants humans to travel to the stars, like in the science fiction television series Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry, with his Breakthrough Starshot program and is seeking China's help to make it a reality.
The ambitious program involves building tiny, light-propelled robotic spacecraft that could visit nearby stars in short journeys.
"Breakthrough Starshot is an opportunity for man to make early forays into outer space, with a view to probing and weighing the possibilities of colonisation," said Hawking in a video address at Tencent's We Summit, an annual gathering where luminaries share ideas on science and technology.
Breakthrough Starshot has been initiated by Stephen Hawking and Russian entrepreneur Yuri Milner and aims to build laser beam-propelled "nanocraft" that can travel at 20 percent of the speed of light and is much faster than today's swiftest spacecraft.
Once the "nanocrafts" are built and deployed, they can reach Alpha Centauri, 4.37 light-years away from the Sun and is the closest star system, in about 20 years.
"China is certainly a major player in promoting such a program. We are looking forward to working closely with Chinese experts and institutes," said Pete Worden, executive director of the Breakthrough Starshot program and former director of NASA Ames Research Center.
The Breakthrough Starshot spacecraft will consist of a wafer-size chip attached to a super-thin sail. The paired duo will be launched into space from a mother ship, and then propelled to the stars by laser light beamed from a high-altitude facility here on Earth.
According to Worden, the program needs $1 billion to build the preliminary prototype craft within five or six years. It would need $10 billion to complete the program and the funds would be raised from China and several other countries, he said.
"China did quite well as some developed countries in various areas including satellites. Notably, the country is good at lowering the cost to an affordable level when making satellite transmitters," he added.
There are still major challenges before the Breakthrough Starshot program can be made a reality, admitted Hawking. These include challenges like how to combine hundreds of lasers through the motion of the atmosphere, propel the nanocraft without incinerating them, and aim them in the right direction, the renowned physicist said.
Hawking predicted that by 2600, the world's population would be standing shoulder to shoulder and the electricity consumption would make the Earth glow red hot.
To avoid the potential for Armageddon, Hawking said that the best way is to move out into space, and explore the potential for humans to live on other planets.
"If the human race is to continue for another million years, we will have to boldly go, where no one has gone before."
samsara
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The new Chinese launcher Long March 6 (CZ-6) successfully flew its second flight today (21 November) at 12:50 BJT (04:50 UTC), put three Jilin-1 (No.04 to 06) video satellites into orbit.
Credits to dafeng cao, East Pendulum
And here's the 35-sec launch video from CCTV:
[Jilin No.1 Video Satellites 04-06] CCTV live video
。。。
Credits to dafeng cao, East Pendulum
And here's the 35-sec launch video from CCTV:
[Jilin No.1 Video Satellites 04-06] CCTV live video
。。。
JSCh
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Beidou joins global rescue data network
By LUO WANGSHU and ZHAO LEI | China Daily | Updated: 2017-11-24 07:48
Chinese satellite navigation system to be part of humanitarian cooperative
China's domestically developed navigation satellite system Beidou has been included in a global network that collects and distributes data for search and rescue missions, the Ministry of Transport said on Thursday.
Beidou will be part of the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme, a nonprofit, intergovernmental and humanitarian cooperative with 44 members, including the United States, Canada, Russia and China.
The inclusion comes after a ministry delegation submitted the Chinese system's technology and launch plan for search and rescue to the program during the 31st Cospas-Sarsat Council meeting in late October in Montreal, Canada.
"The move will enhance Beidou's global capability to search for and rescue people in distress, showing China has carried out its responsibilities in global humanitarianism in accordance with international conventions," Wu Chungeng, a ministry spokesman, said at a news conference on Thursday.
"It also supports Beidou's global development, promoting the system's international influence and power in the field of satellite navigation," he said.
Beidou is the world's fourth navigation satellite system, following US-based GPS, Russia's GLONASS and the European Union's Galileo.
"China has mastered the core technology of space payload and ground systems for search and rescue satellite systems. It is time to research and develop the self-controlled search and rescue system with Beidou," Wu said.
The International Cospas-Sarsat Programme is a satellite-based search and rescue distress alert detection and information distribution system best known for detecting and locating emergency beacons activated by aircraft, ships and hikers in distress.
It aims to "provide accurate, timely and reliable distress alerts and location data to help search and rescue authorities assist people in distress". It uses the GPS, GLONASS and Galileo systems for its missions.
China has been striving to promote Beidou to more international organizations to expand the space network's use overseas, according to Ran Chengqi, director of the China Satellite Navigation Office.
He said China has begun to collaborate with GPS, GLONASS and Galileo on frequency coordination and ground applications.
"Beidou-based products are being used in more than 30 nations. Next, we will give the system global coverage and improve its stability and reliability. In addition, more efforts will be made to develop ground applications," he said.
Twenty-nine satellites have been launched for the Beidou network, the first in 2000 and the most recent in November. The system began providing positioning, navigation, timing and messaging services to civilian users in China and parts of the Asia-Pacific region in December 2012.
Beidou has acquired a great number of users in China. Most of the shared bicycles in Chinese cities now employ Beidou-based positioning services; more than 4 million taxis, long-distance buses and cargo trucks nationwide have been equipped with Beidou devices; and about 40 percent of smartphones in the Chinese market are able to access the services.
By LUO WANGSHU and ZHAO LEI | China Daily | Updated: 2017-11-24 07:48
Chinese satellite navigation system to be part of humanitarian cooperative
China's domestically developed navigation satellite system Beidou has been included in a global network that collects and distributes data for search and rescue missions, the Ministry of Transport said on Thursday.
Beidou will be part of the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme, a nonprofit, intergovernmental and humanitarian cooperative with 44 members, including the United States, Canada, Russia and China.
The inclusion comes after a ministry delegation submitted the Chinese system's technology and launch plan for search and rescue to the program during the 31st Cospas-Sarsat Council meeting in late October in Montreal, Canada.
"The move will enhance Beidou's global capability to search for and rescue people in distress, showing China has carried out its responsibilities in global humanitarianism in accordance with international conventions," Wu Chungeng, a ministry spokesman, said at a news conference on Thursday.
"It also supports Beidou's global development, promoting the system's international influence and power in the field of satellite navigation," he said.
Beidou is the world's fourth navigation satellite system, following US-based GPS, Russia's GLONASS and the European Union's Galileo.
"China has mastered the core technology of space payload and ground systems for search and rescue satellite systems. It is time to research and develop the self-controlled search and rescue system with Beidou," Wu said.
The International Cospas-Sarsat Programme is a satellite-based search and rescue distress alert detection and information distribution system best known for detecting and locating emergency beacons activated by aircraft, ships and hikers in distress.
It aims to "provide accurate, timely and reliable distress alerts and location data to help search and rescue authorities assist people in distress". It uses the GPS, GLONASS and Galileo systems for its missions.
China has been striving to promote Beidou to more international organizations to expand the space network's use overseas, according to Ran Chengqi, director of the China Satellite Navigation Office.
He said China has begun to collaborate with GPS, GLONASS and Galileo on frequency coordination and ground applications.
"Beidou-based products are being used in more than 30 nations. Next, we will give the system global coverage and improve its stability and reliability. In addition, more efforts will be made to develop ground applications," he said.
Twenty-nine satellites have been launched for the Beidou network, the first in 2000 and the most recent in November. The system began providing positioning, navigation, timing and messaging services to civilian users in China and parts of the Asia-Pacific region in December 2012.
Beidou has acquired a great number of users in China. Most of the shared bicycles in Chinese cities now employ Beidou-based positioning services; more than 4 million taxis, long-distance buses and cargo trucks nationwide have been equipped with Beidou devices; and about 40 percent of smartphones in the Chinese market are able to access the services.
onebyone
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ESA’S LATEST TECHNOLOGY CUBESAT CLEARED FOR LAUNCH SITE
23 November 2017
GomX-4B, ESA’s latest and largest technology-testing CubeSat, will be launched from China early next year, together with the near-identical GomX-4A. The pair will test intersatellite communication links and propulsion while orbiting up to 4500 km apart.
The cereal box-sized GomX-4B has been passed as ready to travel along with its twin from manufacturer GomSpace in Denmark in early December to begin launch preparations in China.
“GomX-4B is scheduled to be launched on a Chinese Long March rocket on 1 February, along with GomX-4A, owned by the Danish Ministry of Defence,” says Roger Walker, heading ESA’s Technology CubeSat initiative.
The majority of tests were made at GomSpace and other facilities in Denmark, apart from thermal–vacuum testing – ensuring that the CubeSats can withstand the hard vacuum and temperature extremes of low orbit – which took place at ESA’s technical centre in the Netherlands.
CubeSats are nanosatellites based on standardised 10x10 cm units. GomX-4B is a ‘6-unit’ CubeSat, double the size of its predecessor GomX-3, which was released from the International Space Station in 2015.
Roger adds, “The two CubeSats will test intersatellite link technology, routing data from one satellite to the other, then down to the ground station. Part of the ground testing ensured they could indeed talk to each other and the actual ground station on an end-to-end basis.”
Once released from the rocket, the CubeSats will first orient themselves to align their antennas. Then GomX-4B will gradually fly away from its counterpart, pausing at around 100 km intervals with their intersatellite links activated to see how well they work.
Their separation will be controlled by new cold-gas propulsion on GomX-4B contributed by Sweden’s NanoSpace company, using highly miniaturised thrusters.
They will maintain their links through flat, patch antennas and software-controlled radios at a maximum distance of some 4500 km – a limit being set by the operating concept of a minimum of 10 satellites equally spaced around the same orbital plane to form a future constellation.
“As well as operating together, the two also have separate payloads,” says Roger. “GomX-4B is the first CubeSat to fly our new HyperScout hyperspectral imager, developed by cosine Research in the Netherlands through ESA’s General Support Technology Programme.
“Hyperscout images Earth in 45 different spectral bands, gathering a wealth of environmental data – so much so, in fact, that the camera must perform its own processing to drastically reduce the amount needing to be sent back to the ground.”
GomX-4B also carries a new small startracker for precise attitude determination developed by Innovative Solutions in Space in the Netherlands, an ESA test payload checking components’ susceptibility to space radiation, and a dedicated radio receiver to detect signals from worldwide air traffic.
“Now the testing has been concluded, our main job is to keep the satellites’ batteries topped off, ahead of their transport to China,” concludes Roger. “Once they arrive, they will be checked and the propellant tanks filled.”
The pair is flying as secondary payloads with China’s Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite, CSES-1, designed to detect precursor signals of earthquakes in Earth’s ionosphere, an electrically active outer layer of the atmosphere
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/S...st_technology_CubeSat_cleared_for_launch_site
23 November 2017
GomX-4B, ESA’s latest and largest technology-testing CubeSat, will be launched from China early next year, together with the near-identical GomX-4A. The pair will test intersatellite communication links and propulsion while orbiting up to 4500 km apart.
The cereal box-sized GomX-4B has been passed as ready to travel along with its twin from manufacturer GomSpace in Denmark in early December to begin launch preparations in China.
“GomX-4B is scheduled to be launched on a Chinese Long March rocket on 1 February, along with GomX-4A, owned by the Danish Ministry of Defence,” says Roger Walker, heading ESA’s Technology CubeSat initiative.
The majority of tests were made at GomSpace and other facilities in Denmark, apart from thermal–vacuum testing – ensuring that the CubeSats can withstand the hard vacuum and temperature extremes of low orbit – which took place at ESA’s technical centre in the Netherlands.
CubeSats are nanosatellites based on standardised 10x10 cm units. GomX-4B is a ‘6-unit’ CubeSat, double the size of its predecessor GomX-3, which was released from the International Space Station in 2015.
Roger adds, “The two CubeSats will test intersatellite link technology, routing data from one satellite to the other, then down to the ground station. Part of the ground testing ensured they could indeed talk to each other and the actual ground station on an end-to-end basis.”
Once released from the rocket, the CubeSats will first orient themselves to align their antennas. Then GomX-4B will gradually fly away from its counterpart, pausing at around 100 km intervals with their intersatellite links activated to see how well they work.
Their separation will be controlled by new cold-gas propulsion on GomX-4B contributed by Sweden’s NanoSpace company, using highly miniaturised thrusters.
They will maintain their links through flat, patch antennas and software-controlled radios at a maximum distance of some 4500 km – a limit being set by the operating concept of a minimum of 10 satellites equally spaced around the same orbital plane to form a future constellation.
“As well as operating together, the two also have separate payloads,” says Roger. “GomX-4B is the first CubeSat to fly our new HyperScout hyperspectral imager, developed by cosine Research in the Netherlands through ESA’s General Support Technology Programme.
“Hyperscout images Earth in 45 different spectral bands, gathering a wealth of environmental data – so much so, in fact, that the camera must perform its own processing to drastically reduce the amount needing to be sent back to the ground.”
GomX-4B also carries a new small startracker for precise attitude determination developed by Innovative Solutions in Space in the Netherlands, an ESA test payload checking components’ susceptibility to space radiation, and a dedicated radio receiver to detect signals from worldwide air traffic.
“Now the testing has been concluded, our main job is to keep the satellites’ batteries topped off, ahead of their transport to China,” concludes Roger. “Once they arrive, they will be checked and the propellant tanks filled.”
The pair is flying as secondary payloads with China’s Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite, CSES-1, designed to detect precursor signals of earthquakes in Earth’s ionosphere, an electrically active outer layer of the atmosphere
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/S...st_technology_CubeSat_cleared_for_launch_site
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China successfully launches remote sensing satellites
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-25 04:05:59|Editor: Yang Yi
China launches remote sensing satellites at 2:10 am, Beijing Time, on a Long March-2C rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Nov. 25, 2017. The satellites has entered the preset orbit and Saturday's launching mission was proclaimed a success. (Xinhua/Yang Zhongzhou)
BEIJING, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- China launched remote sensing satellites at 2:10 am, Beijing Time, Saturday on a Long March-2C rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
The satellites has entered the preset orbit and Saturday's launching mission was proclaimed a success.
The satellites will conduct electromagnetic probes and other experiments.
The launch is the 256th mission of the Long March rocket family.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-25 04:05:59|Editor: Yang Yi
BEIJING, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- China launched remote sensing satellites at 2:10 am, Beijing Time, Saturday on a Long March-2C rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
The satellites has entered the preset orbit and Saturday's launching mission was proclaimed a success.
The satellites will conduct electromagnetic probes and other experiments.
The launch is the 256th mission of the Long March rocket family.
Last edited:
samsara
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China launches classified payload with Long March 2C rocket from Xichang
by Andrew Jones Nov 24, 2017 20:38
A Long March 2C lifts off from Xichang on September 29, 2017, carrying three Yaogan-30 (01) satellites. CNS
China continued its recent rapid pace of space launches on Friday with a Long March 2C rocket carrying a classified payload to low Earth orbit.
The Long March 2C lifted off at 18:10 UTC (02:10 local time Saturday) from LC3 Launch Complex at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwest province of Sichuan.
Airspace restriction notices revealed that a launch was imminent, and a social media post citing noise from the vicinity revealed that the launch had taken place. Amateur footage was posted shortly after.
The mission payload was not known in advance, but the resemblance of the launch profile to a September space launch suggested a further trio of Yaogan reconnaissance satellites.
State media Xinhua confirmed launch success and the payloads to be a three Yaogan-3 (02) satellites within an hour of launch.
The satellites were developed by the Microsatellite Innovation Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Described in Chinese media reports as remote sensing satellites for electromagnetic environment detection, western observers believe the Yaogan series to be for reconnaissance purposes for China's People's Liberation Army.
The launch was the 14th for a year bifurcated by issues with two launches in June and July, and follows Monday's Long March 6 light-lift rocket launch. The mission involved three Jilin-1 commercial Earth observation satellites and marked a step forward in Chinese large constellation plans and launch vehicle reusability.
Busy times at Xichang
Preparations for the November 2017 launch of the Beidou-3 M1 and M2 satellites via Long March 3B from Xichang, Sichuan Province. beidou.gov.cn
Xichang Satellite Launch Centre has seen intense activity following a three-month halt in Chinese launches brought on by a Long March 3B partial failurein June and the following failure of the second heavy-lift Long March 5 launch vehicle in July.
Late September saw the launch of a trio of Yaogan-30 (01) reconnaissance satellites followed by the launch of a pair of Beidou-3 satellites to medium Earth orbit early in November.
Xichang is meanwhile preparing to follow up this by lofting another Beidou duo for the navigation and positioning constellation, similar to America's GPS and Russia's GLONASS, before the end of the year.
The Long March 2C used for Friday's launch was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), the country's foremost launch vehicle developer and manufacturer, and a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the main contractor for the Chinese space programme.
China had aimed to launch around 30 times in 2017 before the two above launch issues halted activity.
The major success for China in 2017 has been the launch of its first cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-1, which trialled three rendezvous and docking procedures followed by orbital refuelling tests with Tiangong-2. This marks a major milestone in plans for the country to establish its own large, modular space station.
China's overall for Long March rocket launches stands at 256, with the first taking place on April 24, 1970. Of these, 242 have been successful, with eight failures and six partial failures, bringing a success rate of 94.5 percent.
The Long March 7 (Y2) launches China's first cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-1, in April 2017.
Looking to the future, CASC officials this month unveiled a comprehensive space transportation roadmap for 2017-2045, noting plans for fully reusable rockets, sub-orbital and orbital space planes, a super heavy-lift launcher and a nuclear powered shuttle.
https://gbtimes.com/china-launches-classified-payload-with-long-march-2c-rocket-from-xichang
Andrew Jones covers the growing Chinese space programme, including exploration, space science, politics, launches, human spaceflight and more.
。。。
by Andrew Jones Nov 24, 2017 20:38
A Long March 2C lifts off from Xichang on September 29, 2017, carrying three Yaogan-30 (01) satellites. CNS
China continued its recent rapid pace of space launches on Friday with a Long March 2C rocket carrying a classified payload to low Earth orbit.
The Long March 2C lifted off at 18:10 UTC (02:10 local time Saturday) from LC3 Launch Complex at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwest province of Sichuan.
Airspace restriction notices revealed that a launch was imminent, and a social media post citing noise from the vicinity revealed that the launch had taken place. Amateur footage was posted shortly after.
The mission payload was not known in advance, but the resemblance of the launch profile to a September space launch suggested a further trio of Yaogan reconnaissance satellites.
State media Xinhua confirmed launch success and the payloads to be a three Yaogan-3 (02) satellites within an hour of launch.
The satellites were developed by the Microsatellite Innovation Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Described in Chinese media reports as remote sensing satellites for electromagnetic environment detection, western observers believe the Yaogan series to be for reconnaissance purposes for China's People's Liberation Army.
The launch was the 14th for a year bifurcated by issues with two launches in June and July, and follows Monday's Long March 6 light-lift rocket launch. The mission involved three Jilin-1 commercial Earth observation satellites and marked a step forward in Chinese large constellation plans and launch vehicle reusability.
Busy times at Xichang
Preparations for the November 2017 launch of the Beidou-3 M1 and M2 satellites via Long March 3B from Xichang, Sichuan Province. beidou.gov.cn
Xichang Satellite Launch Centre has seen intense activity following a three-month halt in Chinese launches brought on by a Long March 3B partial failurein June and the following failure of the second heavy-lift Long March 5 launch vehicle in July.
Late September saw the launch of a trio of Yaogan-30 (01) reconnaissance satellites followed by the launch of a pair of Beidou-3 satellites to medium Earth orbit early in November.
Xichang is meanwhile preparing to follow up this by lofting another Beidou duo for the navigation and positioning constellation, similar to America's GPS and Russia's GLONASS, before the end of the year.
The Long March 2C used for Friday's launch was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), the country's foremost launch vehicle developer and manufacturer, and a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the main contractor for the Chinese space programme.
China had aimed to launch around 30 times in 2017 before the two above launch issues halted activity.
The major success for China in 2017 has been the launch of its first cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-1, which trialled three rendezvous and docking procedures followed by orbital refuelling tests with Tiangong-2. This marks a major milestone in plans for the country to establish its own large, modular space station.
China's overall for Long March rocket launches stands at 256, with the first taking place on April 24, 1970. Of these, 242 have been successful, with eight failures and six partial failures, bringing a success rate of 94.5 percent.
The Long March 7 (Y2) launches China's first cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-1, in April 2017.
Looking to the future, CASC officials this month unveiled a comprehensive space transportation roadmap for 2017-2045, noting plans for fully reusable rockets, sub-orbital and orbital space planes, a super heavy-lift launcher and a nuclear powered shuttle.
https://gbtimes.com/china-launches-classified-payload-with-long-march-2c-rocket-from-xichang
Andrew Jones covers the growing Chinese space programme, including exploration, space science, politics, launches, human spaceflight and more.
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