Chinasat-1A (ZX-1A) XSLC CZ-3B launch September 18, 2011

[input~2]

This is a new Chinese military communications satellite, the first one to use the DFH-4 platform.
The launcher is already being assembled at XSLC/ LC-2.

[Satori]

Any idea if this is going to be a FengHuo or a ShenTong communications satellite?

[Phillip Clark]

Any idea if this is going to be a FengHuo or a ShenTong communications satellite?

So far they have both used the DFH-3A platform.   Is there a need for them to change?

[input~2]

Any idea if this is going to be a FengHuo or a ShenTong communications satellite?

Well,  there already was a new Shentong last November (ZX-20A), and the last  Fenghuo (ZX-22A) is already 6 years old, so why not a new enhanced  Fenghuo?                     

[input~2]

Launch could take place from 15 to 18 September (LT)                      

[Satori]

According to our friends 9ifly Chinese space forum, launch will take place on September 18th.

[Satori]

Nice photos and videos of the CZ-3B launcher at http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_511f71d30100udz9.html

[input~2]

Launch could take place around 1600UTC

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The NOTAM for the fairing dropping zone for this launch has been issued:

ZGZU   GUANGZHOU ACC

A1377/11 (Issued for ZSHA ZGZU) - A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY
N260808E1142921-N261444E1140013-N255857E1135553-N255223E1142456
BACK TO
START. VERTICAL LIMITS: SFC-UNL.ALL ACFT ARE PROHIBITED TO FLY
INTO THE AREA. SFC - UNL, 18 SEP 16:27 2011 UNTIL 18 SEP 17:03 2011. CREATED:
16 SEP 05:43 2011

Launch time: September 18th, ~16:25 UTC

Source

[input~2]

Apparently no NOTAM for the boosters drop zone will be issued for this launch

AFAICT, it would have looked like this:
A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY N272159E1083650-N273125E1074313-N271528E1073946-N270603E1083315 BACK TO START. VERTICAL LIMITS: SFC-UNL.ALL ACFT ARE PROHIBITED TO FLY INTO THE AREA. SFC - UNL, 18 SEP 16:27 2011 UNTIL 18 SEP 16:53 2011.

[input~2]

Launch time: September 18th, ~16:25 UTC

I would say 1635UTC

[input~2]

Any idea if this is going to be a FengHuo or a ShenTong communications satellite?

Well,  there already was a new Shentong last November (ZX-20A), and the last  Fenghuo (ZX-22A) is already 6 years old, so why not a new enhanced  Fenghuo?                     

It has now been referred to as Fenghuo-2nd generation, or second generation tactical communications satellite, on at least one Chinese forum.

Below a view of the fairing for ZX-1A as compared with the one for Chinasat-10

[Satori]

Less than 24 hours from the launch there is no official launch news announcement. Delay? Military secrecy?

[Liss]

NOTAMed area is still active so I'd think the launch is on schedule and will be announced tomorrow.

[input~2]

The launch could be broadcast live on Liangshan TV (as I already reported in the Paksat-1R thread) however a file to be downloaded to setup the viewer seems suspicious according to virustotal so.. I'll pass it by!