This is what I believe the correct pairings of stages for the current versions of Chinese launchers (as of 2012). Note that I'm using the notation first used on the Ariane family to describe the amount of propellant on each stage when fully fueled. The items in bold are those that are uncertain. Any comments?1st stage of CZ-2C/CZ-3A/CZ-3B(original)/CZ-3C = L1721st stage of CZ-3B/E / CZ-2F = L1861st stage of CZ-2D / CZ-4B / CZ-4C = L1832nd stage of CZ-3A = L302nd stage of CZ-4B / CZ-4C = L352nd stage of CZ-3B / CZ-3B/E / CZ-3C = L452nd stage of CZ-2C / CZ-2D = L552nd stage of CZ-2F = L863rd stage of CZ-3A / CZ-3B / CZ-3B/E / CZ-3C = H183rd stage of CZ-4B / CZ-4C = L12Booster stage of CZ-3B/E / CZ-2F (pre-TG-1) / CZ-3C (with propellant offload?)= L40Booster stage of CZ-3B (original) = L38Booster stage of CZ-2F (2011 version) = L4?
significant progress made on CZ-5 project within the first week of Chinese Lunar Calendar Year of Dragon......Although low quality screen shots from CNTV again......
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-variantCZ-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 fairingCZ-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 2012CZ-3B/G2 - the original enhanced CZ-3B, with lengthened first stage and boosters, uses the 4.0 m diameter 4000F fairing, first flown in 2007CZ-3B/G3 - enhanced CZ-3B with the 4.2 diameter 4200F fairingCZ-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 launchesCZ-3C/YZ-1 - CZ-3B/YZ-1 minus two boosters, will be used for future COMPASS system launchesMaybe someone can help to check which launch uses the sub-variants as described above?
Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 10/07/2013 04:19 amSomeone 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-variantCZ-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 fairingCZ-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 2012CZ-3B/G2 - the original enhanced CZ-3B, with lengthened first stage and boosters, uses the 4.0 m diameter 4000F fairing, first flown in 2007CZ-3B/G3 - enhanced CZ-3B with the 4.2 diameter 4200F fairingCZ-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 launchesCZ-3C/YZ-1 - CZ-3B/YZ-1 minus two boosters, will be used for future COMPASS system launchesMaybe someone can help to check which launch uses the sub-variants as described above? We should create a pinned topic that lists all of China's launchers (Past, Present, and Future) with their associated launch pads so that way people do not have to keep asking in a new topic every time everyone forgets that one exists.
With the second LM-11 launch possibly coming in this month, I wanted to look up some more information about the LV. The result was pitiful. Could the limited publicity have anything to do with the LV possibly having technology and part commonalities with the DF-41 ballistic missile which is still under active development?
http://build.whir.net/htkg/index_23.aspx shows the new KZ-11 rocket (there's even a putative link to a usermanual but it's a dead link...)The rocket is 2.2m diameter, the same as the DF-3/CZ-1 and as the CZ-7 strapons. But those are CALT products I believe, and I expected the KZ-11 to be a CASIC product (as opposed to CALT's CZ-11) since the marketer Expace is a CASIC subsidiary.Anyone got an idea what the KZ-11 is based on?
Quote from: jcm on 12/18/2016 07:22 amhttp://build.whir.net/htkg/index_23.aspx shows the new KZ-11 rocket (there's even a putative link to a usermanual but it's a dead link...)The rocket is 2.2m diameter, the same as the DF-3/CZ-1 and as the CZ-7 strapons. But those are CALT products I believe, and I expected the KZ-11 to be a CASIC product (as opposed to CALT's CZ-11) since the marketer Expace is a CASIC subsidiary.Anyone got an idea what the KZ-11 is based on?......and I believe KZ-11 is all solid as well so nothing to do with the rockets above.
Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 12/18/2016 12:39 pmQuote from: jcm on 12/18/2016 07:22 amhttp://build.whir.net/htkg/index_23.aspx shows the new KZ-11 rocket (there's even a putative link to a usermanual but it's a dead link...)The rocket is 2.2m diameter, the same as the DF-3/CZ-1 and as the CZ-7 strapons. But those are CALT products I believe, and I expected the KZ-11 to be a CASIC product (as opposed to CALT's CZ-11) since the marketer Expace is a CASIC subsidiary.Anyone got an idea what the KZ-11 is based on?......and I believe KZ-11 is all solid as well so nothing to do with the rockets above. Ah, good point. So to rephrase the question, it seems unlikely that a 2.2m-diameter all-solid launch vehicle ISN'Tbased on a military missile. But I'm not aware of a comparable diameter Chinese solid missile except DF-31/DF-41which I understand is a CALT/ARMT product.
This article has information about various Chinese launchers, including new CZ-9 (see page 4)http://jdse.bit.edu.cn/sktcxbcn/ch/reader/create_pdf.aspx?file_no=20160403&flag=1&journal_id=sktcxbcn&year_id=2016The second author (Long Lehao) was the chief designer of CZ-5, so information here is very credible.