DongFangHong-2's 1984 launch

[Shlug]

In 1984 the DFH-2 satellite (commonly known as DongFangHong-2) was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 3 rocket. This event signalled the beginning of launches from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
I haven't seen much discussion of this pretty important event in China's space history on the NASASpaceFlight forums, so i decided to make a separate topic about it.

[limen4]

Thank you for starting this thread. It was indead an important moment but also the end of a long and very rocky road. Even at the end of the 1960s development and launch of a communication satellite was part of the Chinese space program. In 1972 Nixon made his famous visit to China. Especially for this occasion, US engineers installed mobile ground stations which transmitted the visit to the USA via Intelsat. Mao was so enthusiastic that the program for launching a domestic communications satellite was given top priority but it took over 10 years until launch place, satellite and launcher have been ready. Would be nice to collect here all the puzzles.

[Blackhorse]

I'm a bit puzzled by the fact the chinese built three different spaceports for the first generation Long March boosters - LM-2, LM-3, LM-4.
 
I mean, Jiuquan and Taiyuan are less than 350 miles apart.

https://www.distance.to/Ejin,Alxa,Inner-Mongolian-Autonomous-Ch%E2%80%99%C3%BC,CHN/Kelan,Xinzhou-shi,Shanxi,CHN

As for Xichang, it was created for Shuguang, yet Shenzhous have no problem flying out of Jiuquan. Their baseline boosters - CZ-2A and CZ-2F - being both of DF-5 legacy : so not that different.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Spaceports_in_China

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiuquan_Satellite_Launch_Center

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiyuan_Satellite_Launch_Center

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xichang_Satellite_Launch_Center

[limen4]

It's important to note that historical developments took place between the construction of each of the three test centers. Neither Jiuquan nor Taiyuan were designed for geostationary launches. And yes, Xichang was originally planned for Shuguang, but geostationary satellites were already being planned in China in the early 1970s, and at that time, there was no alternative to Xichang.

I've attached a photo showing one of the first DFH-2 satellites during its final integration at the XSLC. Note the assembly taking place outdoors, far from cleanroom conditions.

[limen4]

Before launch of the first CZ-3 in 1984 a launch exercise was carried out in 1983. An engineering model of the DFH-2 satellite and a dummy CZ-3 were used. The dummy CZ-3 was never used for a real launch and is now on exposition at XSLC.

[limen4]

An interesting detail. In order tu guarantee a successful complesion of the DFH-2 mission in 1984 three CZ-3 rockets (Y801201H, Y801303H and a unkown Y number) and three DFH-2 sats (called 0A, 0B and 0C) were transported to XSLC at the same time. 0A was launched in January and 0B in April 1984. The remaining 0C was launched in February 1986. There is an image available showing two of the three CZ-3 in the XSLC integration hall.

[Alter Sachse]

An interesting detail. In order tu guarantee a successful complesion of the DFH-2 mission in 1984 three CZ-3 rockets (Y801201H, Y801303H and a unkown Y number) and three DFH-2 sats (called 0A, 0B and 0C) were transported to XSLC at the same time. 0A was launched in January and 0B in April 1984. The remaining 0C was launched in February 1986. There is an image available showing two of the three CZ-3 in the XSLC integration hall.

on the photo 801201H and Y801303 !
First CZ-3 rockets:
Y801301
Y801302
Y801303

I don't think there was a Y801303H.

[limen4]

on the photo Y801201H and Y801303 !
First CZ-3 rockets:
Y801301
Y801302
Y801303

Do you have any sources for proof? Y801201H was visible in film sequences showing launch preparations in 1984.

I don't think there was a Y801303H.

Thank you. It was my typo.

[Alter Sachse]

on the photo Y801201H and Y801303 !
First CZ-3 rockets:
Y801301
Y801302
Y801303

Do you have any sources for proof? Y801201H was visible in film sequences showing launch preparations in 1984.

I don't think there was a Y801303H.

Thank you. It was my typo.

yes,801201H is fact.

[Alter Sachse]

Here are the numbers:

[limen4]

Thank you! Since 801201H is not visible in the tables, it follows that it must be the dummy CZ-3 used for launch excecise in 1983. Of course, It would make sense. Nevertheless what makes me nervous is the fact, that the Wikipedia entry do not refer to the sources they have used, except a CGWIC statistic from 2010, which is not reachable. I have also checked all information in https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=15166.0, but without success. Let's wait and see. From time to time some new images and films are published by Chinese media. Maybe sometime they will give an answer.
Meanwhile I refer to this video about the early years at XSLC and the launch preparations for the DFH-2 sats. But beware. Some footage is mixed in a non chronological way with footage after 2000. 

[Shlug]

DFH-2 undergoing testing prior to launch

[limen4]

DFH-2 undergoing testing prior to launch

According to the antenna it is a DFH-2A used for STTW-2 to 5 between 1988 and 1991.

[Shlug]

Also some more pictures of the satellite exercise prior to actual launch. 1st one is actually notable since it shows the stage with the mock-up satellite being installed onto the rocket.