Author Topic: LIVE: Shenzhou 9 (SZ-9), Long March 2F/G (CZ-2F/G) - Jiuquan - June 16, 2012  (Read 695853 times)

Offline limen4

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #80 on: 03/15/2012 05:14 pm »
The first souvenir envelopes have already been designed by Shanghai Academy of Space Technology. No launch month is given on the envelopes.
« Last Edit: 03/16/2012 05:50 am by limen4 »

Offline tonyq

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #81 on: 03/26/2012 07:11 pm »
Contradictory information regarding the SZ-9 launch date:-

Chinese language report says that SZ-9 will be taken to Jiuquan next month:-

http://business.sohu.com/20120326/n338913067.shtml

SZ-8 and TG-1 were both delivered around 8 weeks before launch, so a repeat would take us into June.

However, the new orbital parameters of TG-1, which was boosted to a higher orbit on 23rd March, currently suggests a much later launch in August:-

http://www.zarya.info/Diaries/China/Shenzhou/Shenzhou09.php#ndot2

Presumably, the TG-1 rate of decay can be accelerated, if appropriate.
« Last Edit: 03/26/2012 07:20 pm by tonyq »

Offline Zero-G

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #82 on: 03/26/2012 11:22 pm »
Contradictory information regarding the SZ-9 launch date:-

Chinese language report says that SZ-9 will be taken to Jiuquan next month:-

http://business.sohu.com/20120326/n338913067.shtml

SZ-8 and TG-1 were both delivered around 8 weeks before launch, so a repeat would take us into June.

However, the new orbital parameters of TG-1, which was boosted to a higher orbit on 23rd March, currently suggests a much later launch in August:-

http://www.zarya.info/Diaries/China/Shenzhou/Shenzhou09.php#ndot2

Presumably, the TG-1 rate of decay can be accelerated, if appropriate.


I don't think it's contradictory:
Maybe they are just keeping all their options open. They had stated earlier, that the SZ-9 launch is planned between June and August. So, by delivering SZ-9 to Jiuquan next month, they can make sure that it is going to be ready in June, if everything else is, while the latest boost of TG-1 gives them the time to delay until August if needed, without having to reboost it again.
"I still don't understand who I am: the first human or the last dog in space." - Yuri Gagarin

Offline Phillip Clark

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #83 on: 03/27/2012 03:41 am »
My own calculations suggest that following the most recent Tiangong 1 manoeuvre, the station will be at the "right altitude" - in the 31 circuits repeating orbit - for the Shenzhou 9 launch during the final third of July.
I've always been crazy but it's kept me from going insane - WJ.

Offline apace

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #84 on: 03/27/2012 08:07 am »
My own calculations suggest that following the most recent Tiangong 1 manoeuvre, the station will be at the "right altitude" - in the 31 circuits repeating orbit - for the Shenzhou 9 launch during the final third of July.

Has Shenzhou not enough margin to reach higher altitudes also?

Offline tonyq

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #85 on: 03/27/2012 08:21 am »
I don't think it's contradictory:
Maybe they are just keeping all their options open. They had stated earlier, that the SZ-9 launch is planned between June and August. So, by delivering SZ-9 to Jiuquan next month, they can make sure that it is going to be ready in June, if everything else is, while the latest boost of TG-1 gives them the time to delay until August if needed, without having to reboost it again.

I agree with the logic of what you say. When they announced the planned June to August launch window it seemed likely that June was their target at that time, (otherwise, why mention it at all) and the July to August period was for contingencies. Moving the hardware to the launch site shortly suggests that they are still getting everything in position for a June launch. However, I'm not sure how possible it would be to significantly increase the orbital decay rate of TG-1 to get it back down to the 'right altitude' 4 to 6 weeks earlier than the current rate will achieve?
« Last Edit: 03/27/2012 08:24 am by tonyq »

Offline tonyq

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #86 on: 03/27/2012 08:29 am »
My own calculations suggest that following the most recent Tiangong 1 manoeuvre, the station will be at the "right altitude" - in the 31 circuits repeating orbit - for the Shenzhou 9 launch during the final third of July.

Has Shenzhou not enough margin to reach higher altitudes also?

I don't know what SZ cabability is, but the previous SZ missions have  operated at c330km x c340km orbital parameters, so it would seem unlikely that this will be varied significantly on SZ-9 

http://www.zarya.info/Diaries/China/Shenzhou/Shenzhou.php

Offline Phillip Clark

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #87 on: 03/27/2012 12:14 pm »
My own calculations suggest that following the most recent Tiangong 1 manoeuvre, the station will be at the "right altitude" - in the 31 circuits repeating orbit - for the Shenzhou 9 launch during the final third of July.
Has Shenzhou not enough margin to reach higher altitudes also?

As has just been commented, all Shenzhou flights starting with #2 have used the ~330-340 km 31-circuits repeating orbit.

Shenzhou might well be able to fly higher, but for space station missions it is an advantage to have the station in something close to a repeating orbit, so that it you have a launch delay then there is another opportunity in 2-3 days time.
I've always been crazy but it's kept me from going insane - WJ.

Offline apace

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #88 on: 03/27/2012 12:37 pm »
As has just been commented, all Shenzhou flights starting with #2 have used the ~330-340 km 31-circuits repeating orbit.

Shenzhou might well be able to fly higher, but for space station missions it is an advantage to have the station in something close to a repeating orbit, so that it you have a launch delay then there is another opportunity in 2-3 days time.

Thanx for the explanations. Will make the procedures also easier and comparable if you use always the same parameters I think. Shy question about ISS: Do we have there also such a fixed orbit for visiting vehicles? In my memory not as for example ATV is used to boost the ISS.

Offline limen4

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #89 on: 04/07/2012 09:06 pm »

Offline tonyq

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #90 on: 04/07/2012 10:42 pm »
Oh no it's not !!!

Although this image has been used quite extensively in Chinese media, it is actually my very good friend, South Korean Soyeon Yi, training at GCTC in 2007!!

Pretty sad that the Chinese media have so little knowledge of their own manned space programme that they make such a daft error.  :(
« Last Edit: 04/07/2012 11:14 pm by tonyq »

Offline limen4

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #91 on: 04/08/2012 01:17 pm »
Oh no it's not !!!

Although this image has been used quite extensively in Chinese media, it is actually my very good friend, South Korean Soyeon Yi, training at GCTC in 2007!!

Pretty sad that the Chinese media have so little knowledge of their own manned space programme that they make such a daft error.  :(

Now I see it also. The not chinese like instructors in the background should have made me suspicious. Thank you for correction tonyq!
« Last Edit: 04/08/2012 01:22 pm by limen4 »

Offline tonyq

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #92 on: 04/09/2012 10:43 am »
CCTV has announced that Shenzhou-9 has been delivered to JSLC

http://news.cntv.cn/china/20120409/116924.shtml

In the case of SZ-8, delivery to Jiuquan took place 8/9 weeks before the eventual launch. TG-1 was delivered at end June 2011 and looked likely to launch in late August until deferred due the the launch failure earlier that month.

If these dates do give us any guidance, then it seems the Chinese are working towards a SZ-9 launch around first/second week in June.
« Last Edit: 04/09/2012 10:59 am by tonyq »

Offline vill

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #93 on: 04/09/2012 12:15 pm »

In the case of SZ-8, delivery to Jiuquan took place 8/9 weeks before the eventual launch. TG-1 was delivered at end June 2011 and looked likely to launch in late August until deferred due the the launch failure earlier that month.

If these dates do give us any guidance, then it seems the Chinese are working towards a SZ-9 launch around first/second week in June.

In case everything goes well and the launch happens in first weeks of June, I think SZ-10 could well be launched this year. In ideal case 4 manned space launches are prepared for near time and I do not see in such a development technical problems not to launch it in late autumn.  :)

« Last Edit: 04/09/2012 12:20 pm by vill »

Offline tonyq

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #94 on: 04/09/2012 12:23 pm »
Video of the SZ-9 actually arriving at JSLC:-

http://news.cntv.cn/china/20120409/117792.shtml

Online Satori

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #95 on: 04/14/2012 06:55 pm »
Via 9ifly space forum, Shenzhou-9 at Jiuquan.

Offline Phillip Clark

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #96 on: 04/14/2012 07:37 pm »
It looks as if the forward (orbital) module has solar panels attached which is a surprize.   The Chinese have never depicted a Shenzhou docking with anything with solar panels on its forward module.
I've always been crazy but it's kept me from going insane - WJ.

Offline vill

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #97 on: 04/14/2012 07:48 pm »
It looks as if the forward (orbital) module has solar panels attached which is a surprize.   The Chinese have never depicted a Shenzhou docking with anything with solar panels on its forward module.

I think Shenzhou will not fly with orbital module solar panels more. Or it was not planned. It was said that SZ-8 will have last, more significant modifications if I remember correctly.

Offline Phillip Clark

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #98 on: 04/14/2012 07:56 pm »
It looks as if the forward (orbital) module has solar panels attached which is a surprize.   The Chinese have never depicted a Shenzhou docking with anything with solar panels on its forward module.
I think Shenzhou will not fly with orbital module solar panels more. Or it was not planned. It was said that SZ-8 will have last, more significant modifications if I remember correctly.

I agree with you totally - yet the photo above appears to show folded solar panels on the cylindrical forward module.   It's not the descent module, clearly, since there's the transfer tunnel from the descent module at the  bottom.
I've always been crazy but it's kept me from going insane - WJ.

Offline brihath

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Re: SZ-9 Shenzhou 9, CZ-2F/G, Jiuquan, June 2012 launch
« Reply #99 on: 04/14/2012 08:17 pm »
It looks as if the forward (orbital) module has solar panels attached which is a surprize.   The Chinese have never depicted a Shenzhou docking with anything with solar panels on its forward module.
I think Shenzhou will not fly with orbital module solar panels more. Or it was not planned. It was said that SZ-8 will have last, more significant modifications if I remember correctly.

I agree with you totally - yet the photo above appears to show folded solar panels on the cylindrical forward module.   It's not the descent module, clearly, since there's the transfer tunnel from the descent module at the  bottom.

It seems logical to have solar panels on the Orbital Module if the intent is to leave it docked to Tiangong as a building block to expand the station.  It would be helpful to find out what equipment is inside the OM.  There may be higher power demands because of that.

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