LKW-1 - CZ-2D - JSLC, LC43/603 - December 3, 2017 (04:11 UTC)

[SmallKing]

CCTV just reported launch crews in JSLC were preparing for the next launch of CZ-2D. Could it be Jilin-2?

EDIT: original source http://weibo.com/6005843218/FrnoE5ImN?type=comment#_rnd1508562211550

[Satori]

Looks like the launch could take place in the next days (?)

[SmallKing]

Looks like the launch could take place in the next days (?)

This CZ-2D arrived at JSLC on Oct. 16, so the launch date is definitely in November

[Moon Rabbit]

There are two CZ-2Ds being preparing for launch in JSLC

These rockets arrived at JSLC on Oct. 16
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/9Ho0gVfPyDC9y0DUPtK2ww

They do this each time rockets arrive at the railway station?

[SmallKing]

There are two CZ-2Ds being preparing for launch in JSLC

These rockets arrived at JSLC on Oct. 16
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/9Ho0gVfPyDC9y0DUPtK2ww

They do this each time rockets arrive at the railway station?

It should be

[chewi]

Maybe for this launch?

Andrew Jones‏ @AJ_FI · 35 minutes ago

Next duo of Chinese Gaojing (Superview) commercial EO satellites to launch in December, a year after the first couple.

ChinaSpaceflight‏ @cnspaceflight
【高景一号03/04星】四维世景公司的乔亦实。两颗卫星将于今年12月底发射。

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Maybe for this launch?

Andrew Jones‏ @AJ_FI · 35 minutes ago

Next duo of Chinese Gaojing (Superview) commercial EO satellites to launch in December, a year after the first couple.

ChinaSpaceflight‏ @cnspaceflight
【高景一号03/04星】四维世景公司的乔亦实。两颗卫星将于今年12月底发射。

One of the CZ-2D at Jiuquan might be for the GJ-1 pair,
but with a launch date of late December I am sure that another one will fly before it (and remember the last two flew from Taiyuan!), so no.

[SmallKing]

Confirmed it's a black bird manufactured by CAST
http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=90035&mobile=no

[zubenelgenubi]

Confirmed it's a black bird manufactured by CAST
http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=90035&mobile=no

Examining the launch history, the only Yaogan/Jianbing payloads launched on a CZ-2D from Jiuquan are the JB-6 optical reconnaissance/remote sensing satellites: YG-2, 4, 7, 11, 24, and 30.

Gunter's Space Page http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/yaogan-2.htm lists these as manufactured by CAST.

[Satori]

Launch will take place around 0842UTC according to 9ifly Chinese space forum.

[zubenelgenubi]

Launch will take place around 0842UTC according to 9ifly Chinese space forum.

Here's a chain of deduction...

Given the above information, and if YG-31 is the newest spacecraft in the JB-6 program:
Then this launch into SSO would launch at the same time UTC, to the minute, as YG-7, the 3rd member of the JB-6 program.  (Also, a near match in launch dates--YG-7, December 9; YG-31, December 2)

And, therefore, would not YG-31 enter a similar SSO orbit with the same initial LTDN as YG-7?
http://www.zarya.info/Diaries/China/Yaogan/Yaoganprog.php

Is YG-31 meant to replace YG-7, or augment its capabilities?

[Liss]

I do not believe YG-24 and YG-30 (and GF-9 too) are members of the JB-6 series.

[Phillip Clark]

I do not believe YG-24 and YG-30 (and GF-9 too) are members of the JB-6 series.

A Jianbing-6 follow-on series.

[Satori]

I do not believe YG-24 and YG-30 (and GF-9 too) are members of the JB-6 series.

From what series do you think they are, Liss?

[Skyrocket]

I do not believe YG-24 and YG-30 (and GF-9 too) are members of the JB-6 series.

A Jianbing-6 follow-on series.

It is hard to see, if there is a difference between the JB-6 and a JB-6 follow-on series: Same launch vehicle, same fairing, same launch site and same orbit.

[Liss]

I do not believe YG-24 and YG-30 (and GF-9 too) are members of the JB-6 series.

A Jianbing-6 follow-on series.

It is hard to see, if there is a difference between the JB-6 and a JB-6 follow-on series: Same launch vehicle, same fairing, same launch site and same orbit.

I know. There were multiple arguments for the new type:
(1) Four years interval before YG-24 against three years life expectancy of JB-6;
(2) A Chinese report on cameras test on YG-24 which is logical for a new design;
(3) Chief designer/administrator name for YG-24/GF-9/YG-30 was published but not for any of JB-6;
(4) Ground resolution of 2 meters for JB-6 and sub-meter for YG-24.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Not sure if this is related to this launch, if so this won't fly until December 3:

A3661/17 - A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY:N330743E0981215-N331228E0974709-N340515E0980115-N340028E0982635 BACK TO START. VERTICAL LIMITS:GND-UNL. GND - UNL, 03 DEC 04:04 2017 UNTIL 03 DEC 04:32 2017. CREATED: 01 DEC 06:33 2017

Note that there is another notice (A3662/17) with the exact same words except for listing the effective date as 23 December! I guess this one is a fluke? 

[chewi]

Also this one for Dec 3:

A3663/17 - A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED
BY:N350925E0984346-N351301E0982430-N354201E0983231-N353712E0985821
BACK TO START. VERTICAL LIMITS:GND-UNL. GND - UNL, 03 DEC 04:03 2017 UNTIL 03
DEC 04:26 2017. CREATED: 01 DEC 06:35 2017

[SmallKing]

A 9ifly member who had good source said this sat would be the most powerful optical bird launched by Chinese, or a home made KH11
http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=90035&extra=&page=3&mobile=0

[input~2]

<sup>A3661/17 -  A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY:N330743E0981215-N331228E0974709-N340515E0980115-N340028E0982635 BACK TO START. VERTICAL LIMITS:GND-UNL. GND - UNL, 03 DEC 04:04 2017 UNTIL 03 DEC 04:32 2017. CREATED: 01 DEC 06:33 2017

A3663/17 -  A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY:N350925E0984346-N351301E0982430-N354201E0983231-N353712E0985821 BACK TO START. VERTICAL LIMITS:GND-UNL. GND - UNL, 03 DEC 04:03 2017 UNTIL 03 DEC 04:26 2017. CREATED: 01 DEC 06:35 2017</sup>

These two NOTAMed areas (in purple below) appear to be close to those for Shiyan-5 launch with CZ-2D on Nov 25, 2013 (in red below)