"Yuanwang 2 in Waitemata Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand on October 27, 2005. The ship was resupplying after being at sea to support the Shenzhou 6 spaceflight."
ANJA A THIRD EYE: Yuanwang Space Tracking Ships
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Yuanwang 5 has a full displacement of 25,000 tonnes and is equipped with a whole range of space tracking and communications systems, including an S-band and C-band tracking and control system; and a C-band pulse radar. The ship is capable of tracking space launch vehicles, satellites, manned spacecraft, and other types of spacecraft; as well as real-time voice/image communication and data exchange with the land-based control centre.
Yuanwang 5 features a fibre optics-based shipboard network for data sharing and exchange between different sub-systems onboard. The living conditions for the crew have also been significantly improved compared to previous Yuanwang space tracking ships. According to the Chinese media report,
Yuanwang 6 differs from Yuanwang 5 in that it has a large mission control hall occupying two decks. The ship is expected to be commissioned in 2008.
Mission Equipment
The ships are fitted with C- and S-band monopulse tracking radar, Cinetheodolite laser ranging and tracking system, velocimetry system, and onboard computers to track and control the spacecraft. They use a combination of inertial, satellite, and stellar for accurate navigation and positioning. Communications include HF, ULF, UHF, and SATCOM, in the form of secured telephone, radio, fax and data link. The ships are also equipped with a range of weather forecasting equipments including weather radar, sonde, weather balloon, and meteorological satellite image receiving terminal."
China made 8 breakthroughs in space telemetry, tracking, control - People's Daily Online
"China made 8 breakthroughs in space telemetry, tracking, and control
17:10, September 14, 2010
In the course of 50 years of development, China's space telemetry, tracking and control technology has evolved from scratch; formed an unique, multi-functional and air-ground space telemetry, tracking and control system; accomplished all space launch, telemetry, tracking and control tasks and has achieved eight key breakthroughs, according to the ceremony for the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Spacecraft Telemetry, Tracking and Control Committee under Chinese Society of Astronautics as well as the 25th Space Telemetry, Tracking and Control Academic Annual Meeting held in Beijing on Sept. 13th.
The first breakthrough is the success in independent research and development of large optical and radio measurement instruments.
The second is the further leap forward in systematic planning, design and construction of missile and space telemetry, tracking and control networks that have focused on the three tasks of long-range missile whole-course flight tests, submarine-to-ground missile flight tests and geostationary communications satellite launch tests. The networks cover almost all types of missiles and satellites and have become part of China's comprehensive telemetry, tracking and control facilities.
Third, the scope of China's Space Tracking, Telemetry and Command (TT&C) network has expanded from land to oceans, which is marked by the establishment of the Yuanwang Fleet consisting of six surveying vessels.
Fourth, China independently developed several crucial technologies and built the communications network for manned space flights, which is a major breakthrough in the country's aerospace research.
Fifth, based on the establishment and utilization of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System and the Space-based TT&C System, the scope of China's tracking, telemetry and control network has extended from the Earth to outer space.
Sixth, the successful completion of the Chang'e-1 mission, which is part of China's lunar exploration program, represents a major breakthrough in the country's tracking, telemetry and control capabilities in deep space.
Seventh, China helped the International Maritime Satellite Organization build a satellite monitoring station in Beijing. This was the first time that China's space tracking, telemetry and control technologies were applied in the international market and it has promoted China's cooperation with foreign countries and international organizations in satellite monitoring.
Eighth, China successfully exported a ground-control station to Nigeria, which was China's first export of an entire ground-control station. It has laid a good foundation for China's space tracking, telemetry and control technologies to occupy a prominent position on the international market.
By Zhao Chenyan, People's Daily Online"
