China launchers Q&A

[Stan Black]

Need help with regards to reading the thread in the sticky https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30673.0

There is a list of orbital launches there. Figured out most of the fields (please correct me if wrong) except the two fields coloured red. What does those two fields represent? I guess the second one is the launch timing, but what is the format...can't figure it out.

<sequence> <(99-99)> - <launch vehicle> <(factory serial no.)> - <launch date> <(9999:99.999)> - <launch site>, <launch pad> - <payload>

Btw, the (factory serial no.) is something i just made up. Another thread describe this as a factory number/serial number. What would be the correct descriptor for this number?

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2015

205 (07-63) - CZ-3C/YZ-1 (Y11/Y1) - March 30 (1352:30.598) - XSLC, LC2 - Beidou-3 I1 (BDS I1-S)
206 (05-46) - CZ-4C (Y30) - June 26 (0622:043.731) - TSLC, LC9 - GF-8
207 (07-64) - CZ-3B/YZ-1 (Y26/Y2) - July 25 (1229:04.411) - XSLC, LC2 - Beidou-3 M1-S (Beidou-18); Beidou-3 M2-S (Beidou-19)
208 (07-66) - CZ-3B/G2 (Y32) - September 12 (1542:04.418) - XSLC, LC2 - Tongxin Jishu Shiyan Weixing-1
209 - CZ-2D (Y21) - September 14 (0442) - JSLC, LC43/603 - Gaofen-9

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36645.msg1320775#msg1320775

[russianhalo117]

Need help with regards to reading the thread in the sticky https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30673.0

There is a list of orbital launches there. Figured out most of the fields (please correct me if wrong) except the two fields coloured red. What does those two fields represent? I guess the second one is the launch timing, but what is the format...can't figure it out.

<sequence> <(99-99)> - <launch vehicle> <(factory serial no.)> - <launch date> <(9999:99.999)> - <launch site>, <launch pad> - <payload>

Btw, the (factory serial no.) is something i just made up. Another thread describe this as a factory number/serial number. What would be the correct descriptor for this number?

.
.
2015

205 (07-63) - CZ-3C/YZ-1 (Y11/Y1) - March 30 (1352:30.598) - XSLC, LC2 - Beidou-3 I1 (BDS I1-S)
206 (05-46) - CZ-4C (Y30) - June 26 (0622:043.731) - TSLC, LC9 - GF-8
207 (07-64) - CZ-3B/YZ-1 (Y26/Y2) - July 25 (1229:04.411) - XSLC, LC2 - Beidou-3 M1-S (Beidou-18); Beidou-3 M2-S (Beidou-19)
208 (07-66) - CZ-3B/G2 (Y32) - September 12 (1542:04.418) - XSLC, LC2 - Tongxin Jishu Shiyan Weixing-1
209 - CZ-2D (Y21) - September 14 (0442) - JSLC, LC43/603 - Gaofen-9

First field you question: The entry format for Chinese Launch authorization code as issued by the Launch Control Centre
Second field you question: The entry format for the full launch time minus the Day. International precise short time format is:
Julian Day or JDay (000 to 366) then Hour (00 to 23) then Minute (00 to 59) then Second (00 to 59) then Millisecond (000 to 999) Then ZULU Time (UTC) or LOCAL Time.
That is DDD:HH:MM:SS.MS ZULU or JD: 000:00:00:00.000 ZULU (alternate precise short format is 000:0000:00.000 ZULU).

[Moon Rabbit]

Thank you.

[Liss]

My browser alarms me that the 9ifly.cn forum is now regarded as a Reported Attack Page. Is there a real threat?

[Skyrocket]

My browser alarms me that the 9ifly.cn forum is now regarded as a Reported Attack Page. Is there a real threat?

Likely yes. I have checked the site with Sucuri, which confirms, that it has been compromised and could be harmful:
https://sitecheck.sucuri.net/results/9ifly.cn/

[Stan Black]

Someone has posted a Chinese paper that resolves all configuration discrepancies between the different rockets of the CZ-3A series.  :)

Basically:

CZ-3A - just the one sub-variant
CZ-3B:
standard version - the original CZ-3B as flown in 1996, with standard length first stage and boosters, uses the 4.0 m diameter 4000F fairing
CZ-3B/G1 - standard version CZ-3B with the 3.7 m diameter 3700Z dual-payload fairing, only used for the dual COMPASS MEO launches in 2012
CZ-3B/G2 - the original enhanced CZ-3B, with lengthened first stage and boosters, uses the 4.0 m diameter 4000F fairing, first flown in 2007
CZ-3B/G3 - enhanced CZ-3B with the 4.2 diameter 4200F fairing
CZ-3B/G2 and G3 corresponds to what we call the "CZ-3B/E".

CZ-3C - currently just the one sub-variant, with standard length first stage and boosters, uses the 4.0 m diameter 4000F fairing (contradictory to what I said earlier, the CZ-3C as flown today do not use the lengthened first stage and boosters , but see below)

The problems with the different stage configurations (e.g. the pad at Xichang requires mating/de-mating of electric cables and gas ducts on the umbilical arms every time between launches of a CZ-3B/E and a CZ-3C) means that there's a need to standardize the launcher configurations. The "standard length" boosters will be phased out in the near future, leaving these mainstay sub-variants:

CZ-3B/G2 (GTO capability 5.5 tonnes)
CZ-3B/G3 (GTO capability 5.4 tonnes)
CZ-3C/G2 ("CZ-3C/E", or CZ-3B/G2 minus two boosters)  (GTO capability 3.9 tonnes)

plus these special variants:

CZ-3B/G3Z - enhanced CZ-3B with the 4.2 m diameter 4200Z fairing and extra RCS tanks and thrusters on the 3rd stage, probably for extra-long coast missions. May debut on the Chang'e 3 launch later this year. GTO capability 5.2 tonnes.
CZ-3C/G3Z - CZ-3B/G2 minus two boosters. GTO capability 3.7 tonnes.
CZ-3B/YZ-1 - enhanced CZ-3B with the 4.2 m diameter 4200Z fairing and the planned GEO direct insertion upper stage (probably the one using RP-1/H2O2 fuel as exhibited in various aerospace exhibits over the past several years), will be used for future COMPASS system launches
CZ-3C/YZ-1 - CZ-3B/YZ-1 minus two boosters, will be used for future COMPASS system launches

Maybe someone can help to check which launch uses the sub-variants as described above?  ;)

The CZ3B/YZ1 is also a CZ3B/G3Z/YZ1? 长征三号乙改三Z型/远征一号?