LIVE: Shenzhou 9 (SZ-9), Long March 2F/G (CZ-2F/G) - Jiuquan - June 16, 2012

[Satori]

If the SZ-9 Shenzhou-9 launch will take place on June 16, then we should expect that the CZ-2F Chang Zheng-2F (Y9) should be transported to the launch pad around next Saturday, June 9.

[cd-slam]

I had checked back in the Shenzhou 7 thread and found that the vehicle was rolled to the pad on September 20 and launched on September 25. So it may be a few days yet.

The crew for that mission was announced at a press conference on the day before the launch. This level of secrecy in China may be normal, but it is annoying.

[tonyq]

I had checked back in the Shenzhou 7 thread and found that the vehicle was rolled to the pad on September 20 and launched on September 25. So it may be a few days yet.

The crew for that mission was announced at a press conference on the day before the launch. This level of secrecy in China may be normal, but it is annoying.

Not 100% correct.
The crew were named in official media at T-9 days, and full biographies etc were published.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=5137.105

A recent poster a 9ifly is suggesting that roll out to the pad will be tomorrow (9th) too, but with launch on 15th?

[tonyq]

Chinese media coverage now confirms that SZ-9 is ready to be moved to the launchpad on Saturday 9th June.

http://news.xinmin.cn/domestic/gnkb/2012/06/09/15079255.html

Based on previous SZ's and TG-1, this suggests a launch in 5-7 days.

[Satori]

Chinese media coverage now confirms that SZ-9 is ready to be moved to the launchpad on Saturday 9th June.

http://news.xinmin.cn/domestic/gnkb/2012/06/09/15079255.html

Based on previous SZ's and TG-1, this suggests a launch in 5-7 days.

Great news! Thanks Tony!

[Galactic Penguin SST]

It's 'rollin...... 

[Galactic Penguin SST]

News report on the rocket roll-out: http://news.cntv.cn/china/20120609/105025.shtml

Apparently SZ-9 arrived at JSLC on April 9 and the rocket arrived on May 9.

[HappyMartian]

Some more publicity:

China Plans Its First Manned Space Docking   By KEVIN DREW   June 9, 2012
At: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/science/space/china-plans-its-first-manned-space-docking.html
"HONG KONG — China’s space agency said on Saturday that it will launch astronauts later in June to perform the country’s first manned space docking, the latest step in the country’s ambitious plan for space exploration."

[pberrett]

Is there some way we can be notified in advance of when the launch will be? I'd rather not miss this launch.

Regards Peter

[pberrett]

By the way I can confirm that the rocket has now rolled out to the pad. The only launch concern left however is birds.


cheers Peter

[Satori]

Is there some way we can be notified in advance of when the launch will be? I'd rather not miss this launch.

Regards Peter

Well, stay tuned on nasaspaceflight.com!!

[pberrett]

I hope you don't mind me posting this. This news article has just been released regarding the launch.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/china-embarks-on-its-own-space-race/story-fn6ck55c-1226390057428

[Phillip Clark]

I hope you don't mind me posting this. This news article has just been released regarding the launch.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/china-embarks-on-its-own-space-race/story-fn6ck55c-1226390057428

A question is whom the Chinese are in a race with?   India?   Japan?   After all, a one-horse race isn't a race at all.

[JSz]

A question is whom the Chinese are in a race with?   India?   Japan?   After all, a one-horse race isn't a race at all.

With Russia?

[jnc]

A question is whom the Chinese are in a race with?   India? Japan? After all, a one-horse race isn't a race at all.

Everybody. Anybody. Nobody.

I get the impression that their program is in large part because they see certain desirable goals, and are working on reaching those goals, irrespective of whatever anyone else does. They think very long term.

I don't know how much it's a nationalistic pride thing (which is where the 'race' aspects typically come into play). The Chinese are going through a pretty big nationalistic pride thing these days, and that might be a factor in their program, but I don't have a good sense for how big a factor that is for their decision-makers.

Noel