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

[JSCh]

Acercando Naciones » Chinese company installed in a space observatory Neuquén


CLTC Chinese company confirmed Tuesday that the station for deep space observation building in the province of Neuquén, with an investment of 300 million dollars, will be operational in 2016.

In addition, year to begin construction of the antennas, as indicated by the Asian company Federal Planning Minister Julio De Vido, who is in Beijing on an official visit.

The Chinese observation station deep space, located in Neuquén, aims to “carry out monitoring, control and data download under the Chinese program of missions to explore the moon and space,” said Federal Planning .

In a statement, the Ministry said the station “is the third in a network and the first outside Chinese territory, with an antenna 35 meters in diameter and associated facilities to its observation, making it the most modern of the three “.

The technical counterpart of Argentina, the National Commission on Space Activities (CONAE), you can access “at least 10 percent of the time available for the development of their research projects with advanced technology”, according to official information.

 

[JSCh]

[1502.04287] An Unprecedented Constraint on Water Content in the Sunlit Lunar Exosphere Seen by Lunar-Based Ultraviolet Telescope of Chang'e-3 Mission

 

[JSCh]

新一代运载火箭长征七号进入首飞前最后冲刺阶段
2015年03月02日 20:33　来源：新华网

　　全国政协委员、航天科技集团中国运载火箭技术研究院党委书记梁小虹2日接受新华社记者采访时表示，新一代中型运载火箭长征七号计划今年年底完成遥一火箭总装，目前已进入到首飞前最后“冲刺”阶段。

　　据悉，长征七号火箭刚刚顺利完成了海南发射场合练任务，经受住了最后“冲刺”前的“大考”，近日即将凯旋。此次合练是中国新一代中型运载火箭的 首次亮相，是长征七号火箭首次通过海运，在非内陆发射场执行任务，首次经受海运及发射场自然环境条件的考核，首次与有效载荷的接口匹配，首次与全模块垂直 总装、新型活动发射平台的匹配。长七运载火箭在此次合练过程中顺利通过了低温推进剂从加注、停放到泄出的全过程考验。

　　梁小虹介绍说，中国运载火箭技术研究院坚持创新驱动发展，长征七号火箭掌握了一系列具有自主知识产权的核心技术，是中国首枚“数字化”火箭，从 设计到生产，均采用全三维数字平台，这就好比从“连环画”过渡到了“3D电影”时代，标志着中国运载火箭迈入了全生命周期数字化的大门。同时，长征七号火 箭和长征五号火箭一样，是中国新开发的无毒无污染“绿色”火箭，他透露，现役的长征系列运载火箭将逐步被无毒无污染推进剂的“绿色”火箭所替代。

　　截至目前，长征七号运载火箭已完成以动力系统试车、助推分离试验、结构静力试验等为代表的268项大型地面试验，各项研制工作开展顺利。(记者刘欢)

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Summary:

Long March/LM/CZ-7 has passed the launch test/rehearsal. And is on the last leg of the sprint towards its first launch/flight. The complete assembly of the maiden-flight rocket is planned to be completed fall of this year.

CZ-7 on the move during the launch test/rehearsal

Test of the launch sound suppression system.

 

[JSCh]

China at technical preparation stage for Mars, asteroid exploration
(Xinhua) Updated: 2015-03-03 20:16

BEIJING - China has been researching the technical feasibility of exploring Mars and asteroids, a top space scientist and national political advisor revealed on Tuesday.

Ye Peijian, from the China Academy of Space Technology and chief scientist with the country's lunar probe mission, said Chinese space researchers had tackled some of the technical difficulties associated with the exploration of Mars and asteroids.

However, he added, the projects are only at the technical preparation stage, which suggests that it will be some time before an official project is announced.

Ye is an vocal advocate for a China Mars mission. If the project was given the green light, he said, the probe should orbit, land, and explore the surface of Mars all in one mission.

Ye said that as a developing country, China should narrow its space exploration focus to certain planets.

The country should also explore asteroids as many preserve information dating back to the Big Bang, not to mention that some pose a risk to the human race, he said.

"I hope [these plans] win the support of the people of China, and things kick off as soon as possible," said the scientist, who is in Beijing for the annual session of China's top political advisory body.

An earlier report showed that a feasibility study on China's first Mars mission had been completed. In November last year, a model of a Mars rover prototype was displayed at the Airshow China 2014.

 

[JSCh]

China to launch first "space shuttle bus" this year
Source:Xinhua Published: 2014-3-3 23:03:11

China is expected to launch an upper stage aircraft this year that can be used as a "space shuttle bus" to propel payload in space, a senior official in charge of rocket research said Monday.

The Yuanzheng-1 (Expedition-1) upper stage aircraft, attached with a carrier rocket, can carry aircraft using its own power system after reaching an initial orbit, said Liang Xiaohong, Party secretary of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

Yuanzheng-1, which uses liquid propellant, can fulfill several missions while in space and operate as long as 6.5 hours in orbit, said Liang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body.

It has the same function as a carrier rocket and can bring multiple aircraft to different locations in space, said Liang.

Yuanzheng-1 will play an important role in future moon and Mars exploration as well as orbital transfer and space debris clearing, he said.

China has developed multiple upper stage aircraft with solid propellants since 1980s. Those aircraft had 10 flights, all of which were successful.

 

[JSCh]

【型号】“太空摆渡车”赴西昌 助力北斗全球组网
"Space shuttle bus" go to Xichang, help build Beidou Global Network
2015-03-06 中国航天科技集团

日前，中国航天科技集团公司一院211厂完成了远征一号上面级和长征三号丙运载火箭的装车出厂工作（如图）。
Few days ago, LM-3C and Yuanzheng-1 (Expedition-1) roll off the factory.

“远征一号”即将在西昌卫星发射中心进行首飞。在火箭将其送入预定轨道后，独立地将要发射的卫星直接送入预定轨道。

后续，长三丙火箭和远征一号上面级将执行发射北斗全球导航卫星的试验任务，助力北斗全球组网。

远征一号上面级是针对北斗二代导航卫星发射任务而研制的，是在基础级火箭上增加的相对独立的一级，被称为“太空摆渡车”。

Translation:
Yuanzheng-1/Expedition-1 is about to be launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center for its first flight. After the launch rocket reach earth orbit, the payload/satellite will be delivered by Yuanzheng-1 independently and directly into designated orbit.

LM-3C rocket and Yuanzheng-1 upper stage are task with launching Beidou global navigation satellites, to help build the Beidou global satellite network.

Yuanzheng-1 upper stage is designed specifically for the second generation Beidou navigation satellite. It is a relatively independent rocket stage from the carrier rocket itself, also termed as "space shuttle buses."

 

[cirr]

Tests on a new type of ramjet engine successfully concluded：

中国航天科技公司新型冲压发动机试验获得成功_新闻_腾讯网

 

[TaiShang]

China to Launch Tianzhou-1 Cargo Ship in 2016 to Rendezvous with Space Lab
2015-03-07 12:22:13 Xinhua Web Editor: Fu

A model of China's cargo ship Tianzhou-1 [File Photo: zh.southcn.com]

China will send a cargo ship into the space in 2016 to dock with a future space module scheduled to be launched earlier the same year, a leading Chinese space scientist said Friday.

The Tianzhou-1, which literally means "heavenly vessel", will carry propellants, living necessities for astronauts, research facilities and repair equipment to China's second orbiting space lab Tiangong-2, said Zhou Jianping, chief engineer of China's manned space program.

Cargo transportation system is a key technology China must master and make breakthroughs to build its own space station, said Zhou who is also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body.

China's multi-billion-dollar space program, a source of surging national pride in the country, aims to put a permanent manned space station into service around 2022.

The country already launched its first space lab, Tiangong-1, in September 2011 and has conducted two dockings with the module in the following two years. In June 2013, three Chinese astronauts delivered a physics lesson onboard Tiangong-1.

According to Zhou, Tianzhou-1 will be blasted off on top of a next-generation Long March-7 rocket, possibly from a new launch site in the southern Hainan Province.

Research on the Long March-5 carrier rocket - to be used to lift the Tiangong-2 lab into space - Tiangong-2's payload, and selection of astronauts for the mission are currently "progressing in an orderly manner," Zhou said.

 

[JSCh]

First Chinese solid-fuel rocket to be launched before 2016
Staff Reporter 2015-03-06 15:31 (GMT+8)

Liang Xiaohong explains China's space projects for 2015 during the annual meetings of the National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference held in Beijing. (Photo/CNS)

The CZ-11, China's first solid-fuel rocket is scheduled to be launched for the first time before the end of this year, said as Liang Xiaohong, party secretary of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency on Mar. 3.

Liang explained that a solid-fuel rocket is much easier to operate than a liquid-fuel rocket. While it takes months to prepare for the launch of a liquid-fuel rocket, only hours are needed to launch a solid-fuel one. Also, Liang stressed that the launch of a solid-fuel rocket is more cost-efficient."It can remain in storage for long periods and reliably launch on short notice," said Liang. He believes that the development of the CZ-11 will meet emergency launching demands in emergency situations.

In addition to the launch of the CZ-11, Liang said that the CZ-5, China's next-generation heavy lift launch system will be revealed to the public for the first time at Hainan island's Wenchang Satellite Launch Center. Designed to match the capabilities of American EELV-sized vehicles such as the Delta IV, Atlas V, and Falcon 9, the CZ-5 is currently China's largest rocket system. Its first flight is scheduled to take place this year as well.

Also, an upper stage aircraft called the Yuanzheng-1 is set to be launched as well. Referred to as a "space shuttle bus," the Yuanzheng-1 can stay in orbit up to 6.5 hours, said Liang. Powered by a liquid propellant, the aircraft is being developed for future moon and Mars exploration as well as orbital transfer and space debris clearing. China began the development of these upper stage aircraft with solid propellants beginning in the 1980s. All 10 test flights were successful.
*****
From wantchinatimes, ROC(Taiwan) media, unlikely to be true. CZ-7 maybe(needed for launching Tianzhou-1 cargo ship in 2016, therefore is priority), unlikely for CZ-5. But definitely in 2016-2017 if there is no big surprise.

 

[cirr]

Funds have also been made available for the CZ-9 launch vehicle with a rocket diameter of 9m。

 

[cirr]

CZ-8，a new generation sun synchronous orbit（SSO）rocket， is also in the works。

So we have CZ-5、CZ-6、CZ-7、CZ-8、CZ-9 and CZ-11 at various stages of development。

 

[onebyone]

 

[JSCh]

China's test spacecraft simulates orbital docking

English.news.cn 2015-03-08 15:11:35

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- China has run tests close to the moon simulating an unmanned docking procedure needed in the country's next lunar mission.


The service module of the unmanned lunar orbiter currently in space to trial such techniques entered a target lunar orbit after breaking maneuvers, and flew to a suitable position for orbital docking between Tuesday and Saturday, said the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) on Sunday.

Liu Jizhong, deputy chief commander of the SASTIND's lunar probe project, said that the service module has proven the reliability of key technology needed for the docking of two spacecraft in the Chang'e-5 mission.

The Chang'e-5 probe, expected to launch in 2017, will be tasked with landing on the moon, collecting samples and returning to Earth.

The current lunar orbiter was launched on Oct. 24, 2014. A capsule designed to separate and return to Earth did so as planned in November, while the service module continues its lunar flight to carry out preset scientific tasks.

The service module is operating smoothly and will carry out further tests on capturing lunar images, and may conduct tests assessing lunar gravity depending how the mission progresses.

Liu told Xinhua that the SASTIND expects to test launching Chang'e-5 with a Long March-5 carrier rocket in south China's Hainan Province this year.

"In the tests of the service module, we have simulated three key procedures needed for Chang'e-5: re-entry [to the moon's orbit] at high speed, adjustment of lunar orbit and docking in lunar orbit, laying a solid foundation for China's three-step lunar program -- orbiting, landing and returning," said Liu.
*****
The test launching is just a test/rehearsal, not actual launching.

From report in Chinese,
刘继忠：当前，探月工程三期嫦娥五号任务正处于初样研制关键阶段，今年将完成嫦娥五号、长征五号的海南合练工作，预计于2017年前后完成研制并择机发 射。工程全线正全力以赴，为如期实现探月工程第三步目标努力工作。同时，积极贯彻国家创新驱动发展战略，提升抓总能力和战略支撑能力，积极推进探月工程后 续规划和深空探测的论证工作，努力为提升我国深空探测和航天技术水平，增强我国国防科技实力做出新的贡献。

 

[cirr]

Long March 6 launch to put new engine to the test

By ZHAO LEI (China Daily) Updated: 2015-03-10 02:41

China will soon conduct the first flight of the Long March 6 launch vehicle using the country's new-generation rocket engine, according to a senior scientist.

"A launch of the Long March 6 is planned in the middle of the year and it will use the newly developed 120-ton-thrust engine as its main propulsion," said Tan Yonghua, president of the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology and a national lawmaker.

"The Long March 7 and our most powerful rocket, the Long March 5, will make their first flights next year and they will also use the new engine," he said on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress.

The academy, China's leading developer of the liquid-fueled rocket engine, forms part of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the major contractor for the country's space activities.

The Long March 6 is a high-speed response launch vehicle capable of placing a payload of about 1 metric ton into a sun-synchronous orbit at a height of 700 km.

The new engine, which has been developed by the academy since 2000, will use liquid oxygen and kerosene as its propellants, meaning it is much more eco-friendly than current engines, Tan said.

With the new engine, the Long March 5 will have a payload capacity of 25 metric tons for low Earth orbits, or 14 tons for geostationary transfer orbits. The latter type of orbit is fixed with respect to a position on Earth.

The Long March 7 will be capable of sending payloads of 13.5 tons into low Earth orbits and of 5.5 tons into sun-synchronous orbits, Tan said.

He added that the new engine has a thrust that is 60 percent greater than current ones and can carry a payload 2.5 times larger than its predecessors.

An astronautical researcher close to the nation's space program said China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp developed the Long March 6 in an attempt to gain more foreign contracts for launching lightweight satellites.

"Many satellites weighing less than 1 ton are soon expected to enter service, so the rocket doesn't need to have a heavy payload capacity," the researcher said on condition of anonymity.

"Therefore, if we continued to use our current rockets to launch them, it would be a huge waste. The Long March 6 will fill the gap in our rocket family."

Tan said that despite China having made huge strides in rocket development, it still lags behind the United States and Russia.

"We need to catch up with them in terms of materials, manufacturing techniques and heavy-lift engines," he said.

Long March 6 launch to put new engine to the test - China - Chinadaily.com.cn

 

[JSCh]

【独家】长征五号火箭首次向世人展示真实全貌
2015-03-11 中国航天科技集团

随着长征五号运载火箭整流罩的缓缓下落，该火箭最近在天津圆满完成了所有部段的进塔工作。中国新一代大型运载火箭首次向世人展示其全貌。目前，该型火箭全面进入全箭模态试验阶段。

作为我国在研运载能力最大、尺寸最大的火箭，长征五号全箭模态试验在试验资源、试验周期、试验难度等方面均打破历史纪录。负责全箭模态试验的中国航天科技集团公司一院702所攻克了空间组合激振方法、一体化激振平台设计等十多项关键技术，保证了型号试验时间节点。

上 图为长征五号运载火箭芯二级氢箱运抵中国航天科技集团公司六院101所低温区贮箱台，准备进行液氢工况内压合格试验、液氢轴弯内联合使用载荷合格试验以及 整箱内压破坏试验等研制任务。试验安全风险高、技术状态多、准备周期长。该所将重点就试验风险识别处置、技术状态管控、计划动态监控协调等方面开展工作， 确保任务顺利完成。

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First picture is Long March/LM/CZ-5 rocket enter full rocket simulation test stage.
Second picture is CZ-5 core second stage liquid hydrogen tank arrived for verification test.