Still no news about ZX-6C?
Does anyone knows what happened to this satellite?
Note that it seems that while there is indeed a launch from Xichang on June 20 - the nature of the payload is now in doubt. Per two different insiders:1. CAST makes the payloads for at least the next few launches out of Xichang.2. The next launch from there isn't a 3rd generation BDS satellite launch nor a CZ-3B launch.The obvious assumption is that the next might be launching BDS 2-I7 on a CZ-3A (CALT reported on May 31 that they are shipping a CZ-3A & CZ-3B in early June) - except that the launch process cycle would then seems to be too tight (<=19 days when the usual process is at least 24). So who knows, there might be something not yet known flying on June 20...... Another report: Contradictory to earlier reports, ChinaSat 6C isn't launching till next year.EDIT: Local tour operators claim that this is a BDS launch from pad 3. Maybe the launch is for BDS-2 G8 (?) on a CZ-3C?
Any indication yet which launch complex will be used?If LC2, is ZX-6C perhaps using the CZ-3B that was erected before Lunar New Year for a hypothesized BD-3 G2Q mission?(See Chinese launch schedule thread starting here)If LC3, perhaps the CZ-3B imaged in late January is still stacked on LC2?
[Two NOTAMs]
According to http://www.spaceflightfans.cn/event/long-march-3b-rocket-launch-zhongxing-6c-communication-satellite-or-chinasat-6c-communication-satellite?instance_id=2337 the launch could be at March, 10 around 01.00 LT. This should be March, 9 17.00 UTC.
China launches new communication satellite XICHANG, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China Sunday sent a new communication satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.The "ChinaSat 6C" satellite was launched at 0:28 a.m. Beijing Time by a Long March-3B carrier rocket. It will provide high-quality radio and TV transmission services.The satellite has been sent to the geostationary orbit, and can cover China, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific island countries.The satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, and will be operated by the China Satellite Communications Co., Ltd.The launch marks the 300th mission of the Long March carrier rocket series developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
T0 = 00:28:04.541 BJT 2019-03-10 ( 16:28:04.541 UTC 2019-03-09 )http://www.spaceflightfans.cn/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Long-March-3B-Rocket-Launch-ChinaSat-6C-Satellite-12.jpg