China Space Military：Recon, Satcom, Navi, ASAT/BMD, Orbital Vehicle, SLV, etc.

[nang2]

South China Sea: Australia steps up air patrols in defiance of Beijing
Date
December 15, 2015 - 10:04PM
South China Sea: Australian air patrol recorded
The BBC record a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance plane conducting an air patrol over the fiercely contested South China Sea.

Australia has stepped up military surveillance flights over the South China Sea in a signal to Beijing that it means to continue operating in the regional flashpoint area despite heightened tensions provoked by territorial disputes.

In a move that is likely to grate with the Chinese government, an RAAF P-3 Orion aircraft carried out patrols in the air space in recent weeks, prompting a demand from Chinese naval forces in the waters below to explain itself.

Defence confirmed the recent flight, though only after the plane's presence happened to be noticed by a BBC journalist in the area, who recorded an Australian crewman telling the Chinese navy that the plane was "exercising international freedom of navigation rights".

Chinese development at Hughes Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands chain in the South China Sea. Photo: Fairfax

While such surveillance flights have been conducted for years in the South China Sea under Operation Gateway, their tempo has been increased in the past 12 to 18 months, it is understood.

This amounts to a calculated signal to Beijing that Australia does not accept the sea territory claims generated by China's building of artificial islands in the area, which is subject to claims by Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and others.

The government played down the patrol, saying it was a routine part of Operation Gateway

A Royal Australian Air Force P-3 Orion aircraft.

But experts said it sent a clear message that Australia would not yield space to China's growing ambition to unilaterally control the strategically important waters.

Crucially, it comes amid heightened tensions after a US destroyer sailed close to one of China's artificial islands in late October in a so-called "freedom of navigation" exercise.

James Goldrick, a retired naval officer who is now advising the government on its upcoming Defence white paper, said the RAAF's flight could be interpreted as a challenge by China.

"The signal is that we'll continue with our routine operations," he said. "Inherently, it is an element of challenge and what it's saying is we're doing our normal things that we've always done within the requirements of international law."

Benjamin Schreer, a strategic expert with Macquarie University, agreed Australia was making a point.

"Apparently the pilot seems to feel the urge to convince the Chinese navy … that we have every right to be in that airspace … This really takes place in a changing strategic and political context."

Peter Jennings, executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said that "nothing is routine in the South China Sea right now because of the heightened state of tension in the region".

"Even the routine takes on a higher profile."

But he said it was "ridiculous" that the latest flight was revealed by a BBC journalist. The government should publicly state what it was doing to send the strongest possible signal to Beijing, he said.

The experts agreed such flights did not pose any major risk to RAAF planes through an escalation.

BBC journalist Rupert Wingfield-Hayes was on another plane close to the disputed Mischief Reef near the Philippines when he recorded the voice of an Australian airman who had been called to account by the Chinese navy. He published a story describing the encounter on Tuesday.

"China navy, China navy," the airman is heard saying. "We are an Australian aircraft exercising international freedom of navigation rights, in international airspace in accordance with the international civil aviation convention, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Over."

The Chinese did not respond further.

Sam Bateman, a former navy officer now with the University of Wollongong, said that this was a standard call.

"That's the sort of radio call they would make if they were going near a foreign warship. It's purely a safety measure that the ship knows whose aircraft this is, what it's doing."

Read more: South China Sea: Australia steps up air patrols in defiance of Beijing
Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook

Throughout the whole article, I didn't get the "defiance" part. All I got was that China navy demanded an explanation and Australian airman explained. I thought defiance would be that the airman refused to explain. But again, English isn't my native tongue. What do I know?

 

[JSCh]

The hidden man fuelling China’s military ambitions: Xiang Libin honoured for work on ‘super camera’ to aid spy satellites
Latest breakthrough means China may now be able to track missile launch sites and other targets even if they are camouflaged or hidden underground

• PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 12 January, 2016, 5:15pm
• UPDATED : Tuesday, 12 January, 2016, 5:15pm
• Stephen Chen chen.binglin@scmp.com

A scientist who specialises in optics and has been developing a “super camera” for use in reconnaissance satellites has pocketed China’s top science award for his latest technological breakthrough, hinting at how formidable the nation’s military is becoming and the measures taken to keep such developments under wraps.

Hyperspectral imaging expert Xiang Libin, 49, received the prestigious gong from President Xi Jinping during the annual national science and technology awards ceremony in Beijing on Friday.

During an official group photo session with state leaders, Professor Xiang was pictured in a prominent position behind Xi, hinting at the level of importance attached to his work.

This level of official recognition suggests China may have fully acquired the technology to locate and track military targets that are usually camouflaged or hidden underground, such as missile launch sites and testing facilities for nuclear weapons.

This image shows the technical layout of the China Commercial Remote-sensing Satellite System (CCRSS), which will be launched this year. Its hyperspectral sensors can allegedly outperform those of the Artemis system on the US military satellite TecSat-3, which was launched in 2010. Source: Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences​

Due to the sensitivity of the research, however, Xiang’s name did not appear on the list of award recipients; neither were his efforts trumpeted with the usual pomp and ceremony preserved for patriotic milestones by China’s state-run media.

But Xiang, a former director at the Academy of Opto-Electronics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is well known among China’s optical research community for his pioneering works on hyperspectral imaging sensors. He now runs the Shanghai Engineering Centre for Microsatellites.

While traditional cameras can capture an object’s appearance, a hyperspectral camera is able to determine what the object is.

For example, a military spy satellite equipped with hyperspectral sensors would be able to tell the difference between a genuine and “counterfeit” fighter jet if they were parked side by side at an airport. In contrast, the two would appear identical to cameras that use optical, infrared or microwave rays, now matter how sharp the images they produce.

An image taken over Australia using a hyperspectral camera aboard China’s Tiangong-1 space lab reveals the distribution of minerals and agricultural vegetation in the area, in this 2011 file photo. Photo: Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences​

The hyperspectral imaging technology did the trick by examining the electromagnetic “fingerprint” of the target. The camera collected spectral data over a continuous range of electromagnetic bands for each pixel. The resulting data revealed the object’s true chemical composition and physical traits.

Now scientists claim that a military or government intelligence service could use such a satellite to search for any “object of interest” anywhere in the world. This could be a specific vehicle, a strategic missile launch site, camouflaged roadside bombs, or even nuclear-testing facilities hidden underground as they all have their own hyperspectral “fingerprint”.

Over the last decade, Yuan Yan, a professor of optical science at Beihang University in Beijing, has co-authored many research papers with Xiang on the theme of a hyperspectral imaging sensor for use in a satellite.

She confirmed to the South China Morning Post that Xiang was the man standing behind Xi in the aforementioned group photo.

Professor Xiang (the tall, balding man with glasses) is pictured behind the right shoulder of Chinese President Xi Jinping in this group photo with state leaders in Beijing on Friday. Xiang’s prominent position implies the importance of his research to China’s defence industry. Photo: Handout​

But Yuan declined to provide more details on Xiang’s award-winning breakthrough.

“It is classified … for good reason,” she said.

Read the rest of the article -> The hidden man fuelling China’s military ambitions: Xiang Libin honoured for work on ‘super camera’ to aid spy satellites | South China Morning Post

 

[cirr]

The hidden man fuelling China’s military ambitions: Xiang Libin honoured for work on ‘super camera’ to aid spy satellites
Latest breakthrough means China may now be able to track missile launch sites and other targets even if they are camouflaged or hidden underground

• PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 12 January, 2016, 5:15pm
• UPDATED : Tuesday, 12 January, 2016, 5:15pm
• Stephen Chen chen.binglin@scmp.com

A scientist who specialises in optics and has been developing a “super camera” for use in reconnaissance satellites has pocketed China’s top science award for his latest technological breakthrough, hinting at how formidable the nation’s military is becoming and the measures taken to keep such developments under wraps.

Hyperspectral imaging expert Xiang Libin, 49, received the prestigious gong from President Xi Jinping during the annual national science and technology awards ceremony in Beijing on Friday.

During an official group photo session with state leaders, Professor Xiang was pictured in a prominent position behind Xi, hinting at the level of importance attached to his work.

This level of official recognition suggests China may have fully acquired the technology to locate and track military targets that are usually camouflaged or hidden underground, such as missile launch sites and testing facilities for nuclear weapons.

Due to the sensitivity of the research, however, Xiang’s name did not appear on the list of award recipients; neither were his efforts trumpeted with the usual pomp and ceremony preserved for patriotic milestones by China’s state-run media.

But Xiang, a former director at the Academy of Opto-Electronics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is well known among China’s optical research community for his pioneering works on hyperspectral imaging sensors. He now runs the Shanghai Engineering Centre for Microsatellites.

While traditional cameras can capture an object’s appearance, a hyperspectral camera is able to determine what the object is.

For example, a military spy satellite equipped with hyperspectral sensors would be able to tell the difference between a genuine and “counterfeit” fighter jet if they were parked side by side at an airport. In contrast, the two would appear identical to cameras that use optical, infrared or microwave rays, now matter how sharp the images they produce.

The hyperspectral imaging technology did the trick by examining the electromagnetic “fingerprint” of the target. The camera collected spectral data over a continuous range of electromagnetic bands for each pixel. The resulting data revealed the object’s true chemical composition and physical traits.

Now scientists claim that a military or government intelligence service could use such a satellite to search for any “object of interest” anywhere in the world. This could be a specific vehicle, a strategic missile launch site, camouflaged roadside bombs, or even nuclear-testing facilities hidden underground as they all have their own hyperspectral “fingerprint”.

Over the last decade, Yuan Yan, a professor of optical science at Beihang University in Beijing, has co-authored many research papers with Xiang on the theme of a hyperspectral imaging sensor for use in a satellite.

She confirmed to the South China Morning Post that Xiang was the man standing behind Xi in the aforementioned group photo.

But Yuan declined to provide more details on Xiang’s award-winning breakthrough.

“It is classified … for good reason,” she said.

Read the rest of the article -> The hidden man fuelling China’s military ambitions: Xiang Libin honoured for work on ‘super camera’ to aid spy satellites | South China Morning Post

XiangLi Bin，not Xiang Libin。

Compound surname - XiangLi

 

[cirr]

GAOFEN 4, THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL GEO SPY SATELLITE, CONTINUES CHINA'S GREAT LEAP FORWARD INTO SPACE

AN ETERNAL EYE ON THE CHINA SEAS

By Jeffrey Lin and P.W. Singer Posted January 8, 2016

=GT at China Defense Forum

Journey's Start

The Gaofen 4 was launched on December 28, 2015 from Xichang in central China, on a CZ-3B/Long March 3 rocket, to a geosynchronous orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth.

On December 28, 2015, a Long March 3B/G2 rocket launched from Xichang and lofted into space the 4.6 ton Gaofen-4 imaging satellite.

Nasaspaceflight.com

Gaofen 4 Orbit

The GEO orbit of Gaofen 4 means that it can maintain continuous coverage of Chinese territory and surrounding areas. It's also the most powerful GEO satellite, good enough to track aircraft carriers in near real time from space.

Billed as a disaster relief satellite, the Gaofen 4 was placed in Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO). GEO satellites constantly stay above a patch of Earth, thus providing constant 24 hour surveillance of a geographic area. By contrast, low earth orbit (LEO) satellites such as the U.S. KH-11 spy satellites are closer to the Earth, so their speed exceeds that of the Earth's rotation (meaning that they cannot maintain continuous surveillance over specific locations). In the Gaofen 4's case, its range of view is a 7,000km by 7,000km box of 49 million square kilometers of Asian land and water in and around China.

CCTV 13

Gaofen 4

The 4.6 ton Gaofen 4 is the most powerful GEO spy satellite, with a imaging resolution of under 50 meters in color, and 400 meters for thermal imaging.

The Gaofen 4 is the world's most powerful GEO spy satellite. It has a color image resolution of slightly less than 50 meters (which is enough to track aircraft carriers by their wake at sea) and a thermal imaging resolution of 400m (good for spotting forest fires). It may also have a lower resolution video streaming capacity. Because of its round-the-clock coverage of Chinese territory and near aboard, Gaofen 4 can provide instant coverage of earthquake or typhoon hit areas to support humanitarian relief. It will also allow China to monitor strategic foreign sites such as WMD facilities and naval bases inside its observation box.

ChinaSpaceflight.com

The High Ground

As a high orbiting GEO satellite, the Gaofen 4 would be very difficult to attack with anti-satellite weapons.

Jilin Provincial Government

Jilin Constellation

When the Jilin satellite constellation is completed in 2030, it will have 138 small satellites that provide a snapshot of any place on Earth every ten minutes.

The satellite is part of the dual use China High-Resolution Earth Observation System (CHEOS), which already has five other satellites (Gaofen 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8). This fits within a larger program of radar, imaging, hyperspectral and atmosphere monitoring satellites that will support Chinese civilian missions like agriculture, construction, disaster relief and climate change monitoring. Of course, the Chinese Aerospace Force (a new branch of the PLA following its December 2015 reorganization) could easily make use of such satellites during Chinese military operations. Also of interest is the Jilin LEO imaging satellites (sponsored by the Jilin Provincial government); the first four Jilin satellites launched in October 2015 and already have 80cm imaging resolution. By 2030, the Jilin constellation will have 138 imaging, high-resolution small satellites that provide all weather coverage of any point on Earth, at 10 minute intervals.

xyz via China Defense Forum

GEO Spy Satellite

This scientific article by Beijing Institute of Space Mechanics and Electricity's Zhang Yue, Wang Chao, Su Yuan and Jiao Jianchao, describes temperature control on a 20+ meter diameter mirror made of optical membrane foil (a smaller satellite can unfold the optical membrane foil to create a larger lens to enable higher resolution). DARPA is also looking at similar concepts to meet American IMINT needs.

With a lifespan of 8 years, the Gaofen 4 will likely be superseded by future GEO observation satellites with higher resolution imaging capabilities. One intriguing possibility is revealed in a study from a Chinese engineering journal. Enterprising scientists propose that a future GEO spy satellite could deploy a foldable telescope lens of over 20 meters diameter, which could be powerful enough to provide sub 1-meter resolution (similar to Ball Aerospace and DARPA's Membrane Optics program). Such a futuristic GEO spy satellite wouldn't just be able to find interesting targets like aircraft carriers and missile launcher trucks, it could beam back real time video streams of enemy forces underway.

Gaofen 4, The World's Most Powerful GEO Spy Satellite, Continues China's Great Leap Forward Into Space | Popular Science

 

[qwerrty]

The hidden man fuelling China’s military ambitions: Xiang Libin honoured for work on ‘super camera’ to aid spy satellites
Latest breakthrough means China may now be able to track missile launch sites and other targets even if they are camouflaged or hidden underground

• PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 12 January, 2016, 5:15pm
• UPDATED : Tuesday, 12 January, 2016, 5:15pm
• Stephen Chen chen.binglin@scmp.com

A scientist who specialises in optics and has been developing a “super camera” for use in reconnaissance satellites has pocketed China’s top science award for his latest technological breakthrough, hinting at how formidable the nation’s military is becoming and the measures taken to keep such developments under wraps.

Hyperspectral imaging expert Xiang Libin, 49, received the prestigious gong from President Xi Jinping during the annual national science and technology awards ceremony in Beijing on Friday.

During an official group photo session with state leaders, Professor Xiang was pictured in a prominent position behind Xi, hinting at the level of importance attached to his work.

This level of official recognition suggests China may have fully acquired the technology to locate and track military targets that are usually camouflaged or hidden underground, such as missile launch sites and testing facilities for nuclear weapons.

This image shows the technical layout of the China Commercial Remote-sensing Satellite System (CCRSS), which will be launched this year. Its hyperspectral sensors can allegedly outperform those of the Artemis system on the US military satellite TecSat-3, which was launched in 2010. Source: Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences​

Due to the sensitivity of the research, however, Xiang’s name did not appear on the list of award recipients; neither were his efforts trumpeted with the usual pomp and ceremony preserved for patriotic milestones by China’s state-run media.

But Xiang, a former director at the Academy of Opto-Electronics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is well known among China’s optical research community for his pioneering works on hyperspectral imaging sensors. He now runs the Shanghai Engineering Centre for Microsatellites.

While traditional cameras can capture an object’s appearance, a hyperspectral camera is able to determine what the object is.

For example, a military spy satellite equipped with hyperspectral sensors would be able to tell the difference between a genuine and “counterfeit” fighter jet if they were parked side by side at an airport. In contrast, the two would appear identical to cameras that use optical, infrared or microwave rays, now matter how sharp the images they produce.

An image taken over Australia using a hyperspectral camera aboard China’s Tiangong-1 space lab reveals the distribution of minerals and agricultural vegetation in the area, in this 2011 file photo. Photo: Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences​

The hyperspectral imaging technology did the trick by examining the electromagnetic “fingerprint” of the target. The camera collected spectral data over a continuous range of electromagnetic bands for each pixel. The resulting data revealed the object’s true chemical composition and physical traits.

Now scientists claim that a military or government intelligence service could use such a satellite to search for any “object of interest” anywhere in the world. This could be a specific vehicle, a strategic missile launch site, camouflaged roadside bombs, or even nuclear-testing facilities hidden underground as they all have their own hyperspectral “fingerprint”.

Over the last decade, Yuan Yan, a professor of optical science at Beihang University in Beijing, has co-authored many research papers with Xiang on the theme of a hyperspectral imaging sensor for use in a satellite.

She confirmed to the South China Morning Post that Xiang was the man standing behind Xi in the aforementioned group photo.

Professor Xiang (the tall, balding man with glasses) is pictured behind the right shoulder of Chinese President Xi Jinping in this group photo with state leaders in Beijing on Friday. Xiang’s prominent position implies the importance of his research to China’s defence industry. Photo: Handout​

But Yuan declined to provide more details on Xiang’s award-winning breakthrough.

“It is classified … for good reason,” she said.

Read the rest of the article -> The hidden man fuelling China’s military ambitions: Xiang Libin honoured for work on ‘super camera’ to aid spy satellites | South China Morning Post

 

[cirr]

Launch due in H2 2016。

 

[JSCh]

China’s quantum space pioneer: We need to explore the unknown
Pan Jian-Wei is masterminding a project to test quantum entanglement in space.

• Celeste Biever
• 13 January 2016

Pan Jian-Wei is leading a satellite project that will probe quantum entanglement.

Physicist Pan Jian-Wei is the architect of the world’s first attempt to set up a quantum communications link between Earth and space — an experiment that is set to begin with the launch of a satellite in June.

The satellite will test whether the quantum property of entanglement extends over record-breaking distances of more than 1,000 kilometres, by beaming individual entangled photons between space and various ground stations on Earth. It will also test whether it is possible, using entangled photons, to teleport information securely between Earth and space.

On 8 January, Pan, who works at the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, won a major national Chinese science prize (worth 200,000 yuan, or US$30,000) for his contributions to quantum science. He spoke to Nature about why his experiments are necessary and about the changing nature of Chinese space-science missions.

Read the full article -> China’s quantum space pioneer: We need to explore the unknown : Nature News & Comment

 

[bobsm]

China to launch crewed Shenzhou-11 space mission in 2016
ANDREW JONES
2016/01/08
A Long March 2F rocket, with the tell-tale launch escape system on top, launching the crewed Shenzhou-10 from Jiuquan in June 2013. (Photo: CNS)

China has confirmed it will launch the crewed Shenzhou-11 space mission in 2016 to dock in orbit with the country’s second space laboratory.

According to state news agency Xinhua, China will first launch the country’s new Tiangong-2 space lab in the first half of the year, before sending three taikonauts into orbit on board Shenzhou-11.

The Shenzhou-11 mission will be launched by a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan launch centre in the Gobi desert.

Once in orbit, the Shenzhou craft will dock with Tiangong-2, with the taikonauts expected to carry out a range of science experiments.

Shenzhou-11 will be the country’s sixth human spaceflight mission and marks the next step in China’s plans to establish a space station in Low Earth Orbit.

The ambitious program will see the core module of the Chinese space station launched in 2018. It is scheduled to be completed by 2023.

It could shortly after become the world’s only space station. Partners to the International Space Station (ISS) have so far agreed to keep it operating until 2024, though this may be extended to 2028.

China has been barred from the largely US-led ISS due to American concerns over national security, contributing to China's decision to push ahead with its own station.

China's human space program
China is a latecomer to human spaceflight, having officially approved the so-called Shenzhou program in 1992, but it has made giant strides in the extremely demanding field.

After unmanned test flights, the country’s first attempt at human spaceflight took place in October 2003 with Shenzhou-5, which saw taikonaut Yang Liwei become China’s first person in space.

This made China only the third country to independently put an astronaut in space.

Since then China has launched four more crewed missions. Notably Liu Yang, below, became China’s first female in space in June 2012 onboard the Shenzhou-9 mission.

China’s latest crewed mission in 2013 saw China’s second female taikonaut Wang Yaping give a lecture from space.

Both Shenzhou-9 and -10 completed manual dockings with the Tiangong-1 space lab, launched in late 2011.

The identity of the crew for Shenzhou-11 has not been disclosed.

Possibilities from China’s Yuhangyuan (“astronaut”) program include Liu Wang, Zhang Xiaoguang as well as Liu Boming,Deng Qingming and Chun Panzhan, who were rumoured to be the back-up crew for Shenzhou-10.

One of China’s two female taikonauts could again be part of the crew or even command the mission. However, it is considered unlikely that China will risk sending pioneer Liu Yang back into space.

Accelerating space program
Aside from Shenzhou-11 and Tiangong-2, this year will be a crucial and busy year for China’s space program.

It will debut the largest and most complex rocket yet, the Long March 5, which will expand the country’s launch capacity by 2.5 times.

One variant of the heavy-lift Long March 5 will be capable of lifting 25 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit, making it comparable to the US’ Delta-IV Heavy rocket.

The cryogenic rocket will be fuelled by kerosene and liquid oxygen, and will be used to put space station modules in orbit. It will also be used for a lunar sample return mission in 2017 (Chang'e-5) and future interplanetary missions.

The first launch of the Long March 7, another of China's next-generation kerolox rockets, will take place in mid-2016. It is primarily designed for launching a supply and refuelling craft (Tianzhou) for the future space station.

Long March 5 and 7 will launch from the new, purpose-builtWenchang launch centre on the island province of Hainan.

Other space missions will include Beidou navigation and positioning satellites, Gaofen Earth observation satellites and a communications satellite for Belarus.

In the realms of space science, China will follow its Wukongdark matter probe launched in December with three further scientific satellites to perform quantum science experiments, research space life science, and observe black holes, neutron stars and other phenomena.


China to launch crewed Shenzhou-11 space mission in 2016 | gbtimes.com

 

[Beast]

Launch due in H2 2016。

I heard American CIA are trying to hinder the launch. Use powerful microwave to affect the launch. They are trying all cost to stop this super camera from operation.

 

[Shotgunner51]

Electric vehicles in deep space: China hails its new ion thruster for rockets as the world’s best | South China Morning Post

State media says new-generation propulsion device will improve the mobility and lifespan of China’s space assets, adds that Hall-effect thruster has already been delivered to Chinese customers in the industry

PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 13 January, 2016, 1:07pm
UPDATED : Wednesday, 13 January, 2016, 1:10pm

Stephen Chen

This image shows the exhaust produced by a 6 kW Hall thruster at the Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Unlike rockets that rely on chemical propulsion, the ion thrusters use electricity to create an electromagnetic field to produce thrust. As the ionised particles leave the aircraft, they generate a force in the reverse direction. Photo: Nasa

China has finished building the world’s most powerful ion thruster and will soon use it to improve the mobility and lifespan of its space assets, according to a state media report this week.

Researchers at the 502 research institute, which operates under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. in Beijing, have delivered a new-generation Hall-effect thruster unit to Chinese customers in the space industry, the report by the Science and Technology Daily stated.

The machine will outperform all of the ion thrusters used on satellites or spacecraft that are currently in use, it added. The daily is run by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Unlike most rocket engines which burn chemicals, ion thrusters use electricity collected by solar panels for fuel. These are then used to create an electromagnetic field to produce thrust.

A prototype of China’s new-generation ion thruster, which will be used to improve the mobility and lifespan of its high altitude satellites. Photo: People’s Daily

In the Hall thruster - a popular kind of ion thruster - this electromagnetic field transforms propellant materials such as xenon into fast-moving ions, or particles with either a positive or negative charge.

As the ionised particles escape from the aircraft, they generate a force moving in the other direction.

This addresses one of the main challenges of electric space propulsion: namely, how to charge a fluid so that its atoms can be expelled in one direction in order to send the spacecraft the opposite way.

One of the attractions of using this kind of thruster is that it does not need the kind of high temperatures required by forms of chemical propulsion. This kind of electric propulsion system is also lighter in weight, meaning that future space trips could be more feasible.

But the chief benefit of an ion thruster can be measured in terms of its fuel usage: these can be more than 10 times as fuel efficient as other rocket engines.

Over 240 ion thrusters (similar to the one pictured) have been flown in space since the former Soviet Union began experimenting with them in the early 1970s, but the Chinese researchers said their version will outperform them all.

This kind of thruster has been around for decades, however. In the interim, scientists and engineers have worked to tweak them in search of marked improvements.

Since the former Soviet Union first put to use back in 1971, over 240 have been sent into space. They are typically found on communications satellites in high-altitude orbits for long-term service. The most powerful ones in operation today can accelerate to 30 kilometres per second at their maximum thrust.

But Mao Wei, chief designer of China’s Hall thruster, told the daily that the latest version will beat the current performance record of this kind of thruster by as much as 30 per cent.

Gao Jun, another researcher involved in the project, said other countries were busy developing similar ion thrusters but that none had completed ground testing yet.

As such, China should become “the first [country] to test the new technology on a high-altitude satellite,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

He did not provide a specific launch date.

 

[JSCh]

China to Launch Lunar Probe in 2018
Published on Jan 14, 2016

China plans to launch a lunar probe on the far side of the moon in 2018, China's State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense announced Thursday.

The mission will be carried out by Chang'e-4, a backup probe for Chang'e-3.

China will launch a relay satellite in June 2018, and a lander and a rover at the end of 2018, according to the administration.

"It will be the first time in the world to land a probe on the far side of the moon and carry out a series of on-site detection activities," said Liu Jizhong, director of the lunar exploration program and space engineering center.

The far side of the moon, or "dark side of the moon" as it is more commonly called, is never visible to Earth because of gravitational forces.

"There are many ancient rocks on the dark side of the moon, which will help us to understand the moon's evolution," said Liu.

Chang'e-4 is very similar to Chang'e-3 in structure but can handle more payload. It will be used to study the geological conditions of the dark side of the moon.

Chang'e-3 landed on the moon in 2013, making China the third country after the Soviet Union and the United States to soft land a spacecraft on lunar soil.

China plans to launch its Chang'e-5 lunar probe around 2017 to finish the last chapter in China's three-step (orbiting, landing and return) moon exploration program.

More on: http://www.cctvplus.tv/NewJsp/news.js...

 

[cnleio]

China ion thruster engine for spacecraft

据俄罗斯卫星网1月13日报道，香港《南华早报》周三发表文章称，中国研制出世界上最强大的离子喷气发动机。

报纸援引中国《科技日报》的消息称，中国航天科技集团公司第五研究院502所专家向客户展示了新一代离子发动机。

1971年苏联发明的离子喷气发动机已用于航天领域数十年。目前全世界的科学家都在研制该款发动机的改进型。

报纸写道，中国新一代离子发动机的全线性能高于卫星和飞船目前使用的同类产品。此款离子发动机的加速度可达30公里/秒。但研制人员称，可将这一指标提高至少30%。

离子喷气发动机的工作原理与化学燃料发动机有很大差别。离子发动机可在较低温环境下运行，重量更轻，燃料耗费量是其它型号火箭发动机的十分之一。

据该报消息，中国将成为世上首个在高环地轨道卫星上测试最新技术的国家，但卫星的具体发射日期尚不知晓。

相关报道：

中国卫星离子推进系统交付：即将全球首飞

科技日报北京1月10日电 （记者 付毅飞）记者10日从中国航天科技集团公司五院获悉，该院502所研制的某卫星磁聚焦霍尔电推进系统，近日顺利完成交付，其性能指标满足总体要求，将实现电推进系统在高轨卫星上的首次飞行验证。

该系统采用新一代霍尔电推进技术，代表着国际上目前的主流发展方向，可广泛应用于我国新一代通信、全电推进等卫星平台。其研制成功实现了此类系统在高轨卫星上的集成应用，提出了覆盖产品、分系统、整星的完整电推进安全性技术。

与我国第一代霍尔电推进系统相比，新一代磁聚焦霍尔电推进技术在比冲、效率、羽流发散角等方面具有显著优势。相比国外同类产品，502所磁聚焦霍尔推力器主任设计师毛威表示，此套电推力器在比冲、效率等方面性能指标可提升20%以上。

目前，国际上新一代磁聚焦型霍尔电推进仅完成地面验证，尚未完成在轨飞行。502所磁聚焦霍尔电推进系统主任设计师高俊表示：“此套磁聚焦霍尔电推进系统的研制将打破这一现状，实现电推进系统首次在高轨卫星上进行飞行验证。”

 

[Blue Marlin]

China heats up space race by hailing its new ion thruster for rockets as the world’s best
Beijing says new-generation propulsion device will improve the mobility and lifespan of its space assets

• 

This image shows the exhaust produced by a 6 kW Hall thruster at the Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Unlike rockets that rely on chemical propulsion, the ion thrusters use electricity to create an electromagnetic field to produce thrust. As the ionised particles leave the aircraft, they generate a force in the reverse direction. Photo: Nasa
China has finished building the world’s most powerful ion thruster and will soon use it to improve the mobility and lifespan of its space assets, according to a state media report this week.

Researchers at the 502 research institute, which operates under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. in Beijing, have delivered a next-generation Hall-effect thruster unit to Chinese customers in the space industry, the report by the Science and Technology Daily stated.

The machine will outperform all of the ion thrusters used on satellites or spacecraft that are currently in use, it added. The daily is run by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Unlike most rocket engines which burn chemicals, ion thrusters use electricity collected by solar panels for fuel. These are then used to create an electromagnetic field to produce thrust.

A prototype of China’s new-generation ion thruster, which will be used to improve the mobility and lifespan of its high altitude satellites. Photo: People’s Daily

In the Hall thruster - a popular kind of ion thruster - this electromagnetic field transforms propellant materials such as xenon into fast-moving ions, or particles with either a positive or negative charge.

As the ionised particles escape from the aircraft, they generate a force moving in the other direction.

This addresses one of the main challenges of electric space propulsion: namely, how to charge a fluid so that its atoms can be expelled in one direction in order to send the spacecraft the opposite way.

One of the attractions of using this kind of thruster is that it does not need the kind of high temperatures required by forms of chemical propulsion. This kind of electric propulsion system is also lighter in weight, meaning that future space trips could be more feasible.

But the chief benefit of an ion thruster can be measured in terms of its fuel usage: these can be more than 10 times as fuel efficient as other rocket engines.

Over 240 ion thrusters (similar to the one pictured) have been flown in space since the former Soviet Union began experimenting with them in the early 1970s, but the Chinese researchers said their version will outperform them all. Credit: Nasa

This kind of thruster has been around for decades, however. In the interim, scientists and engineers have worked to tweak them in search of marked improvements.

Since the former Soviet Union first put to use back in 1971, over 240 have been sent into space. They are typically found on communications satellites in high-altitude orbits for long-term service. The most powerful ones in operation today can accelerate to 30 kilometres per second at their maximum thrust.

But Mao Wei, chief designer of China’s Hall thruster, told the daily that the latest version will beat the current performance record of this kind of thruster by as much as 30 per cent.

Gao Jun, another researcher involved in the project, said other countries were busy developing similar ion thrusters but that none had completed ground testing yet.

As such, China should become “the first [country] to test the new technology on a high-altitude satellite,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

He did not provide a specific launch date.

 

[onebyone]

China opens 2016 campaign with Long March 3B launch of Belintersat-1
January 15, 2016 by Rui C. Barbosa

The Chinese have conducted their first orbital launch of 2016 with the lofting of a new communications satellite for Belarus. Belintersat-1 was launched at 16:57 UTC on Friday via a Long March 3B/G2 rocket. The launch was conducted from the Xichang’s Satellite Launch Center’s LC3 pad.

Chinese Launch:

Belintersat-1 is based on the Chinese DFH-4 bus, with the communications payload being supplied by Thales Alenia Space.

The satellite is equipped with 20 C-band transponders (36 MHz), 18 Ku-band transponders (36MHz) and 4 enhanced Ku-band transponders (54 MHz). The satellite will be operational at the 51.5 degrees East longitude on the geostationary orbit. Operational lifetime is expected to be 15 years.

Some of the transponders on board Belintersat-1 have been sold to China Satcom, being marketed under the designation ZX-15 Zhongxing-15 (or ChinaSat-15).

The creation of the National System of Satellite Communication and Broadcast of the Republic of Belarus is the largest project in the field of telecommunications, implemented by the Republic of Belarus.

The project is considered of high innovative, economic, social and political importance, providing a full range of advanced satellite services in Europe, Africa and Asia, as well as to ensure global coverage in the Eastern Hemisphere.

For the commercial and government institutions in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, the Belintersat project will be providing a number of widely demanded services that will include: satellite Internet; mobile satellite communication; solutions for mobile operators; corporate networks provisioning; and live TV broadcasting.

The Presidential Decree that led to the project identified a series of main objectives to the project, ranging from the creation of a communication satellite through to fostering modern communication technology to the remote areas at affordable prices.

See Also

• Chinese Forum Section
• 65 Launch Vehicle Manuals (L2)
• Click here to Join L2

The history of the project begun with a closed tender won by the China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC). Initially signed on September 2011, the autumn of 2012 saw the conclusion of the contract with the CGWIC for the supply of the National System of Satellite Communication and Broadcast of the Republic of Belarus. The Export-Import Bank of China was consequently resorted to for the raising of funding.

According to the signed contract, the new satellite would be manufactured on the basis of the DFH Dongfanghong series of platforms designed and developed by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and would be launched by an LM-3B launch vehicle provided by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre (XSLC). China Satellite Launch & Tracking Control General (CLTC) would undertake the launch and TT&C operation.

On December 30, 2015, the Nigerian Communication Satellite (NigComSat) Limited, a company under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, announced in Abuja that had won a bid to provide in-orbit test (IOT) and carrier spectrum monitoring (CSM) services for Belintersat-1 satellite.

With this, NigComSat will be able to provide more broadband services, enterprise solutions, secured communications and etc., over Nigeria and other 35 African countries, including Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and others. Additional communication services will also be offered to the security agencies.

DFH-4 is the third generation communications satellite bus in China with high power, strong payload capacity and extended service life. It consists of a propulsion module, service modules and solar arrays. Its dimensions are 2.360m×2.100m×3.600m, with a liftoff mass of 5,200 kg. Solar Array Power is 10.5 kW (EOL) and payload power is 8 kW. The platform can be equipped with C, Ku, Ka and L transponders.

DFH-4 uses a 3-axis stabilization mode and its station keeping precision is west/east ±0.05° and north/south ±0.05°. The Antenna Pointing Precision is ＜0.1°. Service lifetime in orbit is 15 years.

Launch vehicle and launch site:

To meet the demand of international satellite launch market, especially for high power and heavy communications satellites, the development of Long March-3B (Chang Zheng-3B) launch vehicle was started in 1986 on the basis of the fight proven technology of Long March launch vehicles.

Developed from the Chang Zheng-3A, the Chang Zheng-3B is at the moment the most powerful launch vehicle on the Chinese space launch fleet.

The CZ-3B features enlarged launch propellant tanks, improved computer systems, a larger 4.2 meter diameter payload fairing and the addition of four strap-on boosters in the core stage that provide additional help during the first phase of the launch.

The rocket is capable of launching a 11,200 kg satellite to a low Earth orbit or a 5,100 kg cargo to a geosynchronous transfer orbit.

The CZ-3B/G2 (Enhanced Version) launch vehicle was developed from the CZ-3B with a lengthened first core stage and strap-on boosters, increasing the GTO capacity up to 5,500kg.

On May 14, 2007, the first flight of CZ-3B/G2 was performed successfully, accurately sending the NigcomSat-1 into pre-determined orbit. With the GTO launch capability of 5,500kg, CZ-3B/G2 is dedicated for launching heavy GEO communications satellite.

The rocket structure also combines all sub-systems together and is composed of four strap-on boosters, a first stage, a second stage, a third stage and payload fairing.

The first two stages as well as the four strap-on boosters use hypergolic (N2O4/UDMH) fuel while the third stage uses cryogenic (LOX/LH2) fuel. The total length of the CZ-3B is 54.838 meters, with a diameter of 3.35 meters on the core stage and 3.00 meters on the third stage.

On the first stage, the CZ-3B uses a YF-21C engine with a 2,961.6 kN thrust and a specific impulse of 2,556.5 Ns/kg. The first stage diameter is 3.35 m and the stage length is 23.272 m.

Each strap-on booster is equipped with a YF-25 engine with a 740.4 kN thrust and a specific impulse of 2,556.2 Ns/kg. The strap-on booster diameter is 2.25 m and the strap-on booster length is 15.326 m.

The second stage is equipped with a YF-24E (main engine – 742 kN / 2,922.57 Ns/kg; four vernier engines – 47.1 kN / 2,910.5 Ns/kg each). The second stage diameter is 3.35 m and the stage length is 12.920 m.

The third stage is equipped with a YF-75 engine developing 167.17 kN and with a specific impulse of 4,295 Ns/kg. The fairing diameter of the CZ-3B is 4.00 meters and has a length of 9.56 meters.

The CZ-3B can also use the Yuanzheng-1 (“Expedition-1″) upper stage that uses a small thrust 6.5 kN engine burning UDMH/N2O4 with the specific impulse at 3,092 m/s. The upper stage is able to conduct two burns, having a 6.5 hour lifetime and is capable of achieving a variety of orbits. This upper stage was not used on this launch.

Typical flight sequence for the CZ-3B/G2 sees the launch pitching over 10 seconds after liftoff from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. Boosters shutdown 2 minutes and 7 seconds after liftoff, separation from the first stage one second latter. First stage shutdown takes place at 1 minutes 25 seconds into the flight.

The separation between the first and second stage takes place at 1 minute 26 seconds, following fairing separation at T+3 minutes 35 seconds. Stage 2 main engine shutdown occurs 326 seconds into the flight, following by the shutdown of the vernier engines 15 seconds later.

The separation between the second and the third stage and the ignition of the third stage takes place one second after the shutdown of the vernier engines of the second stage. The first burn of the third stage will last for 4 minutes and 44 seconds.

After the end of the first burn of the third stage follows a coast phase that ends at T+20 minutes and 58 seconds with the third stage initiating its second burn. This will have a 179 seconds duration. After the end of the second burn of the third stage, the launcher initiates a 20 second velocity adjustment maneuver. Spacecraft separation usually takes place at T+25 minutes 38 seconds after launch.

The Xichang Satellite Launch Centre is situated in the Sichuan Province, south-western China and is the country’s launch site for geosynchronous orbital launches.

Equipped with two launch pads (LC2 and LC3), the centre has a dedicated railway and highway lead directly to the launch site.

The Command and Control Centre is located seven kilometers south-west of the launch pad, providing flight and safety control during launch rehearsal and launch.

The CZ-3B launch pad is located at 28.25 deg. N – 102.02 deg. E and at an elevation of 1,825 meters.

Other facilities on the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre are the Launch Control Centre, propellant fuelling systems, communications systems for launch command, telephone and data communications for users, and support equipment for meteorological monitoring and forecasting.

The first launch from Xichang took place at 12:25UTC on January 29, 1984, when the Chang Zheng-3 (Y-1) was launched the Shiyan Weixing (14670 1984-008A) communications satellite into orbit.

China opens 2016 campaign with Long March 3B launch of Belintersat-1 | NASASpaceFlight.com

Chinese launch schedule
China launches in 2016 (times in UTC)

01 - January 15 (1657) - CZ-3B/G2 - XSLC, LC3 - BelinterSat-1 / Zhongxing-15 (Chinasat-15)

China launch schedule

2016

February - CZ-3B/YZ-1 - XSLC, LC2 - Beidou-3-G1S (Beidou-21)
April 30 - CZ-4B - TSLC, LC9 - Aleph-1(ÑuSat-1 and ÑuSat-2)
April - CZ-2D - JSLC, LC43/603 - SJ-10 Shijian-10
April - CZ-7 - WSLC, LC201 - ??
First half - CZ-2F/T2 - JSLC, LC43/921 - TG-2 Tiangong-2; Banxing-2
July - CZ-2D - JSLC, LC43/603 - TanSat (CarbonSat)
July - CZ-2D - JSLC, LC43/603 - QSS (Quantum Science Satellite)**
September - CZ-5 - WSLC, LC101 - ??
Setember / October - ?? - ?? - LJ-1 Luojia-1
December - CZ-2D - JSLC, LC43/603 - GJ-1 GaoJing-1 (1), GJ-1 Gaojing-1 (2)
December - ?? - ?? - Ministar-1
End - KZ-11 - JSLC (?) - ?? (or Beginning of 2017)
Second half - CZ-2F/G - JSLC, LC43/921 - SZ-11 Shenzhou-11
?? - CZ-2D - JSLC, LC43/603 - GF-3 Gaofen-3
?? - CZ-2D - JSLC, LC43/603 - GF-5 Gaofen-5
?? - CZ-2D - JSLC, LC43/603 - GF-6 Gaofen-6
?? - CZ-2D - JSLC, LC43/603 - JL-2 Jilin-2
?? - CZ-2D - JSLC, LC43/603 - JL-3 Jilin-3
?? - CZ-7 - WSLC, LC201 - TZ-1 Tianzhou
?? - CZ-4B - TSLC, LC9 - FY-3D Fengyun-3D
?? - CZ-4B - TSLC, LC9 - ZY-3 Ziyuan-3 (2)
?? - CZ-3B/G2 - XSLC - TL-1 Tianlian-1 (4)
?? - CZ-3B - XSLC - FY-4A Fengyun-4A
?? - CZ-2? - ?? - CAS-2A1; CAS-2A2
?? - ?? - ?? - Aoxiang-1 (CubeSat-2U)
?? - CZ-4B - ?? - Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope 'HXMT'
?? - ?? - ?? - YG-30 Yaogan Weixing-30
?? - ?? - ?? - YG-31 Yaogan Weixing-31
?? - ?? - ?? - YG-32 Yaogan Weixing-32

*Was CSES-1 Earthquake electromagnetism monitor satellite
**Was QUESS (QUantum Experiments at Space Scale)

 

[JSCh]

China's launch of new carrier rockets settled
(chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2016-01-18 11:29

​

Long March-5 (left) and Long March-7 (right). [Photo from Sina Weibo]​

China's new carrier rockets, Long March-5 and Long March-7, will make their maiden space flights in June and about the end of September or early October, respectively, chinanews.com reported on Sunday.

Long March-5 is currently being tested at a launch site in South China's Hainan Province, according to the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASC).

"The new carrier rockets are using non-toxic, pollution-free fuels," said Li Tongyu, head of the academy's aerospace department.

The country's strongest carrier rocket, Long March-5 has a payload capacity of 25 tons to low Earth orbit, or 14 tons to geostationary transfer orbit.

It is scheduled to carry the Chang'e-5 lunar probe around 2017 to finish the last chapter in China's three-step (orbiting, landing and return) moon exploration program.

Long March-7, a medium-sized rocket using liquid propellants, will carry up to 13.5 tons to low Earth orbit or 5.5 tons to sun-synchronous orbit at a height of 700 km. It will carry cargo craft for the planned space station.

"The two carrier rockets' maiden flights will significantly boost our country's ability to enter space and help realize leapfrog development in our space transportation system," said the CASC.

Both rockets were developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under the CASC.