Launch success has been officially confirmed with T-0 at 15:24:04 UTC.
A first object has been cataloged by USSTRATCOM:2016-072A/41869 in 202 x 41777 km x 17.4°
Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 11/22/2016 02:09 pmVIP badge that claims this launch as the 100th out of Xichang. I assume that they counted the infamous LM-2E "abort" with Optus-B1 in March 1992 to get that. More likely, cancelled Fengyun-2 launch in April 1994.
VIP badge that claims this launch as the 100th out of Xichang. I assume that they counted the infamous LM-2E "abort" with Optus-B1 in March 1992 to get that.
This is March 1992 Optus B1 not included in the forum, so only 99 Times
Is that an exact launch time of 15:23:03.769UTC?
Quote from: Satori on 11/23/2016 09:40 amIs that an exact launch time of 15:23:03.769UTC?The date is 2012-07-25, so it is the third Tianlian-1 launch.
Quote from: linxiaoyi on 11/23/2016 02:59 amThis is March 1992 Optus B1 not included in the forum, so only 99 TimesIs it your assumption or information from people who counted launches in Xichang?My assumption was based on launch codes. Both - launch attempt in March 1992 and then actual launch of Optus B1 - had practically identical launch code. Fengyun-2 launch attempt had separate launch code, which had not been used in future.I wonder why did they count March 1992 as the launch? Due to engines ignition? Strange decision. There were so many cases in Russian space history when R-7 family rocket's engines have ignited and cut-offed before liftoff. But we do not count these cases as the launch.
The current locations of the four Tianlian satellites are:-Tianlian-1 1 79.4 deg ETianlian-1 2 176.2 deg ETianlian-1 3 10.1 deg ETianlian-1 4 76.1 deg EMaybe #4 is a replacement for #1?
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 12/06/2016 03:55 pmThe current locations of the four Tianlian satellites are:-Tianlian-1 1 79.4 deg ETianlian-1 2 176.2 deg ETianlian-1 3 10.1 deg ETianlian-1 4 76.1 deg EMaybe #4 is a replacement for #1?I have slightly different positions:TL-1 1 nominal: 80.0°E actual: 80.1°ETL-1 2 nominal: 176.8°E actual: 176.7°ETL-1 3 nominal: 10.6°E actual: 10.6°ETL-1 4 nominal: 77.0°E actual: 76.9°E
Given the inherent errors in the TLE data, our figures are a good match.