A new thread for the TG-2 Tiangong-2 launch.After the end of operations with the TG-1 Tiangong-1 space module, China plans to launch the TG-2 Tiangong-2 space laboratory.Actual indications is that the launch will take place at the end of 2013 or in 2014. As plotugno pointed out, the latest issue of the Chinese Journal of Space Science (n.5 vol 32, 2012), http://www.cjss.ac.cn/EN/volumn/current.shtml , has an interesting series of free access survey articles on the status of Chinese space science.In one of these articles "China’s Space Astronomy and Solar Physics in 2011-2012" by Zhang Shuangnan; Yan Yihua and gan Weiqun, we can read that "POLAR is a Chinese-Europe joint experiment on board China's manned spacelab. (...) It is expected that POLAR will be launched into orbit in 2014 with the TG-2 spaceship as part of the spacelab."So, TG-2 will be launched in 2014.
Quote from: Satori on 11/01/2012 05:07 pmA new thread for the TG-2 Tiangong-2 launch.After the end of operations with the TG-1 Tiangong-1 space module, China plans to launch the TG-2 Tiangong-2 space laboratory.Actual indications is that the launch will take place at the end of 2013 or in 2014. As plotugno pointed out, the latest issue of the Chinese Journal of Space Science (n.5 vol 32, 2012), http://www.cjss.ac.cn/EN/volumn/current.shtml , has an interesting series of free access survey articles on the status of Chinese space science.In one of these articles "China’s Space Astronomy and Solar Physics in 2011-2012" by Zhang Shuangnan; Yan Yihua and gan Weiqun, we can read that "POLAR is a Chinese-Europe joint experiment on board China's manned spacelab. (...) It is expected that POLAR will be launched into orbit in 2014 with the TG-2 spaceship as part of the spacelab."So, TG-2 will be launched in 2014.Are you sure that this will be launched by a CZ-7? AFAIK Wenchang may only just started its first launch operation by that year, and that's assuming no slips on the way. I would bet 5 dollars that a CZ-2F will be used for the launch....
Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 11/01/2012 05:23 pmQuote from: Satori on 11/01/2012 05:07 pmA new thread for the TG-2 Tiangong-2 launch.After the end of operations with the TG-1 Tiangong-1 space module, China plans to launch the TG-2 Tiangong-2 space laboratory.Actual indications is that the launch will take place at the end of 2013 or in 2014. As plotugno pointed out, the latest issue of the Chinese Journal of Space Science (n.5 vol 32, 2012), http://www.cjss.ac.cn/EN/volumn/current.shtml , has an interesting series of free access survey articles on the status of Chinese space science.In one of these articles "China’s Space Astronomy and Solar Physics in 2011-2012" by Zhang Shuangnan; Yan Yihua and gan Weiqun, we can read that "POLAR is a Chinese-Europe joint experiment on board China's manned spacelab. (...) It is expected that POLAR will be launched into orbit in 2014 with the TG-2 spaceship as part of the spacelab."So, TG-2 will be launched in 2014.Are you sure that this will be launched by a CZ-7? AFAIK Wenchang may only just started its first launch operation by that year, and that's assuming no slips on the way. I would bet 5 dollars that a CZ-2F will be used for the launch.... The CZ-7 is the «new» designation for the CZ-2F/H. Maybe China can upgrade the 921 launch pad in the months between the SZ-10 launch and the launch of TG-2 (I think this can be one year apart). Or you are right, and they will use a CZ-2F/G.
Isn't the CZ-7 a RP-1/LOX version of the CZ-2F? Might not need that many changes.
I don't remember where I have read about TG-2 being launched by a CZ-7... or probably I'm confusing the launch vehicles. So, changing to CZ-2F/G...
Quote from: baldusi on 11/01/2012 06:09 pmIsn't the CZ-7 a RP-1/LOX version of the CZ-2F? Might not need that many changes.RP-1/LOX for the boosters, 1st and 2nd stage; LOX/LH2 for the 3rd stage. The rocket will be used in two versions (two stage vehicle and three stage vehicle).
Chines news reported that TG-2 will be launched in two years, i.e. late 2015.http://www.hdmnw.com/news/china/460484.html
Quote from: beidou on 06/05/2013 11:01 amChines news reported that TG-2 will be launched in two years, i.e. late 2015.http://www.hdmnw.com/news/china/460484.htmlSo this could be one of the first operational launches of a CZ-5-derived launch vehicle.
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 06/05/2013 12:27 pmQuote from: beidou on 06/05/2013 11:01 amChines news reported that TG-2 will be launched in two years, i.e. late 2015.http://www.hdmnw.com/news/china/460484.htmlSo this could be one of the first operational launches of a CZ-5-derived launch vehicle.It is unlikely to use such an unproven/unflown launcher for TG-2 and since to my knowledge and present understanding TG-2's launcher has already been ordered to date with its launcher mentioned in the same contract order for launchers of TG-1 and SZ-09, 01, and 11. That is what I understand at this point and some is still a bit vague.
Quote from: russianhalo117 on 06/05/2013 05:44 pmQuote from: Phillip Clark on 06/05/2013 12:27 pmQuote from: beidou on 06/05/2013 11:01 amChines news reported that TG-2 will be launched in two years, i.e. late 2015.http://www.hdmnw.com/news/china/460484.htmlSo this could be one of the first operational launches of a CZ-5-derived launch vehicle.It is unlikely to use such an unproven/unflown launcher for TG-2 and since to my knowledge and present understanding TG-2's launcher has already been ordered to date with its launcher mentioned in the same contract order for launchers of TG-1 and SZ-09, 01, and 11. That is what I understand at this point and some is still a bit vague.If the originally-planned TG 2 has been cancelled and replaced by a more massive module in the 15-20 tonnes range then the CZ-2F launcher will not be able to carry it. Hence a CZ-5 derivative is required - whether it's a CZ-5 itself or the smaller CZ-7.