Author Topic: LIVE: VRSS-1 'Francisco de Miranda' - CZ-2D Jiuquan - September 29, 2012 (0412UTC)  (Read 50119 times)

Online Satori

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« Last Edit: 09/16/2012 11:55 am by input~2 »

Offline Phillip Clark

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Re: VRSS-1 'Miranda' - CZ-2D Jiuquan launch - October 2012
« Reply #1 on: 02/15/2012 05:56 am »
Another satellite name being re-used for a totally different mission!

Miranda was the name given to the British X-4 satellite which was supposed to ride into orbit atop our domestic Black Arrow launcher.   But Black Arrow was cancelled (cancellation was before it successfully launched X-3/Prospero) and X-4/Miranda was launched atop a US Scout in 1974.

The R-4 Black Arrow intended for the Miranda launch now resides at the London Science Museum.
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Offline baldusi

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Re: VRSS-1 'Miranda' - CZ-2D Jiuquan launch - October 2012
« Reply #2 on: 02/15/2012 10:06 pm »
It's actually named Francisco de Miranda somebody of historical significance for Venezuela. Miranda is a relatively common surname in Spanish speaking countries. It's also a common female name. And masculine names as surnames are also common. So Miranda usually generates quite a bit of confusion.  ::)

Offline Galactic Penguin SST

Launch preparations has begun at JSLC, so it might have a chance of reaching orbit before the National holidays (i.e. in late September).(source)

Here is an earlier report about the thermal testing of VRSS-1: http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n133097/c278796/content.html

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Offline input~2

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Offline jcm

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Launch set for September 28-29 according to Venezuelan Minister
http://www.telesurtv.net/articulos/2012/08/31/venezuela-lanzara-satelite-miranda-a-finales-de-septiembre-4406.html

"The function of this satellite is to ensure the national security and defense.  (With?) a joint team of Chinese and Venezuelan scientists  the satellite Miranda will be able to monitor the emergence and development of earthquakes, as well as the impact these have on the environment,  carry out weather studies and detect illegal mining."

Not sure how much of this is spin or whether the implication is that there are other more direct defense applications (reconnaissance) intended.

The Chinese article above says the satellite is built by DFH Satellite Co. It would be interesting to find out what bus it being used - perhaps Yaogan 2 type? (the article refers to the satellite as Venezuela Yaogan Weixing, which is of course just a direct translation of VRSS).
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Offline jcm

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Re: VRSS-1 'Miranda' - CZ-2D Jiuquan launch - October 2012
« Reply #6 on: 08/31/2012 05:54 pm »
It's actually named Francisco de Miranda somebody of historical significance for Venezuela. Miranda is a relatively common surname in Spanish speaking countries. It's also a common female name. And masculine names as surnames are also common. So Miranda usually generates quite a bit of confusion.  ::)

And to be specific, Miranda is known as 'El Precursor', Bolivar's precursor, so makes sense as a followon to the Bolivar satellite  (Thanks wikipedia!
For the record, Sebastian Francisco   de Miranda Rodriguez 'El Precusor' (1750-1816))
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Offline input~2

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It would be interesting to find out what bus it being used .
A couple of views of Miranda to help identify the bus :)

Offline Skyrocket

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Offline Galactic Penguin SST

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Online Satori

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Is there any link to the actual news about this delay?

Until the moment I haven't seen any indication of a delay in this launch. In fact this link http://www.noticias24.com/venezuela/noticia/125792/arreaza-pronto-podremos-ensamblar-e-incorporar-piezas-de-nuestro-pais-a-las-canaimitas/ published on September 12 says that the launch will take place on September 28 at 11.40pm (I suppose this VLT, so September 29 at 0410UTC).

Offline input~2

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Is there any link to the actual news about this delay?

Until the moment I haven't seen any indication of a delay in this launch. In fact this link http://www.noticias24.com/venezuela/noticia/125792/arreaza-pronto-podremos-ensamblar-e-incorporar-piezas-de-nuestro-pais-a-las-canaimitas/ published on September 12 says that the launch will take place on September 28 at 11.40pm (I suppose this VLT, so September 29 at 0410UTC).
Same indication (ie no delay) from the involved ministry website:
http://www.mcti.gob.ve/Noticias/15603

Offline input~2

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Launch planned for September 28, 11:42 pm VLT
ie September 29, 0412UTC
(source)

Offline Galactic Penguin SST

Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery. Current Priority: Chasing the Chinese Spaceflight Wonder Egg & A Certain Chinese Mars Rover

Offline Galactic Penguin SST

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Offline input~2

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"Todo está en orden para el lanzamiento del satélite Miranda.. el próximo viernes 28 de septiembre a las 11:42 de la noche".
(source)

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According to Confirman próximo lanzamiento de segundo satélite venezolano (in Spanish), launch will take place next Friday and the satellite was already placed on top of the CZ-2D launcher at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

Launch will be transmitted live on Venezuelan TV.

Other news (also in Spanish):

Anuncian que a las 11:42 pm del viernes el satélite Miranda iniciará su ascenso al espacio.

Satélite Miranda será lanzado al espacio el viernes.

Venezuela lanzará su segundo satélite el viernes desde China.
« Last Edit: 09/24/2012 04:14 pm by Satori »

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According to the latest reports, weather forecasts looks good for launch on September 29.

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We can assume that this image is from the launch preparations.

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