Shiyan-10 - CZ-3B/G2 - Xichang - September 27, 2021 (08:20 UTC)

[GELORD]

"China launch poster"

[Alter Sachse]

"China launch poster"

390. "Long March" launch

[Conexion Espacial]

Does that mean that only one object has been found after the launch? maybe the satellite did not separate?
https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1442629886703665154

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Does that mean that only one object has been found after the launch? maybe the satellite did not separate?
https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1442629886703665154[/size]

No, there are 2 objects, see a few posts above about the other.

We have first orbital elements from this LM-3B launch via 18SPCS:

2021-087A/49258: 177 x 40104 km x 51.04 deg.

That...doesn't look like anything out of the ordinary for an inclined geosynchronous transfer orbit.🤔🤔🤔

[zubenelgenubi]

Re: Successful launch, spacecraft is a partial or total loss?

Andrew Jones at SpaceNews had the same thought, reporting on the two Chinese Sept 27 launches.

If there is no significant change observed in the spacecraft orbital elements in the coming days, we'll know if it's alive or dead.

Zhongxing-18 launch thread (perhaps the same situation: geocomm satellite 🛰 never shifted from its initial GTO)

[Josh_from_Canada]

Was this launch the first in the world to target a Super Synchronous IGTO (Inclined GTO)?

edit: I'm thinking this type of orbit is used for satellites aiming for a 63° Geosynchronous orbit. The higher apogee allows fuel to be saved in changing the inclination just like other Super Synchronous GTO missions. Increasing the orbital inclination from a GTO launch has happened before with the Beidou-3 IGSO satellites. The 55° launch azimuth is the furthest non Polar/SSO that can be reached from Xichang as a 63° launch azimuth would involve dropping stages on Vietnam.

[zubenelgenubi]

I don't know (or forgot): How does one distinguish between a CZ-3B/G2 and G3?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

I don't know (or forgot): How does one distinguish between a CZ-3B/G2 and G3?

G3 has the larger payload fairing than G2 (4.2 m diameter vs 4.0 m)
G1 uses 3.75 m diameter dual launch fairings for 2nd generation BDS navigation satellite launches in 2012.
G5 is a version optimised for LEO/SSO missions.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://twitter.com/chen_rspyc/status/1442779400009830402?s=21

[tehwkd]

http://www.news.cn/2021-09/28/c_1127913943.htm

[Galactic Penguin SST]

http://www.news.cn/2021-09/28/c_1127913943.htm

So the official statement is that the LM-3B flight was normal till spacecraft separation, however "there was an abnormal situation with the satellite *during* the launch process" and the cause is under investigation.

[input~2]

Object A:
epoch 09/27 16:32Z: 177 x 40105 km x 51.04° (revolution number = 3)
epoch 09/27 21:55Z: 177 x 40105 km x 51.04° (revolution number = 3)
epoch 09/28 12:16Z: 177 x 40104 km x 51.06° (revolution number = 5)

Object B:
epoch 09/27 15:41Z: 209 x 39592 km x 51.35° (revolution number = 3)
epoch 09/27 22:00Z: 217 x 39606 km x 51.40° (revolution number = 4)
epoch 09/28 11:05Z: 216 x 39593 km x 51.40° (revolution number = 5)

"During the rocket flight, the satellite operating conditions were abnormal": could it be a problem at spacecraft separation?

[jcm]

http://www.news.cn/2021-09/28/c_1127913943.htm

So the official statement is that the LM-3B flight was normal till spacecraft separation, however "there was an abnormal situation with the satellite *during* the launch process" and the cause is under investigation.

Wondering if it could be a payload fairing issue? Internal vibration for example as on recent Ariane 5 flights, but worse...

[Conexion Espacial]

NASASpaceFlight article on the launch where it mentions the failure of the satellite after it reached orbit:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/09/shiyan-10-fails-in-orbit-after-launch/

[slobber91]

Upper stage burn or venting was apparently observed from Australia.  Somewhat unusual looking for an engine plume.

[edkyle99]

http://www.news.cn/2021-09/28/c_1127913943.htm

So the official statement is that the LM-3B flight was normal till spacecraft separation, however "there was an abnormal situation with the satellite *during* the launch process" and the cause is under investigation.

Wondering if it could be a payload fairing issue? Internal vibration for example as on recent Ariane 5 flights, but worse...

The "during" is key.  A launch vehicle's mission is to deliver its payload to a planned orbit in operational condition.  Will we ever know the satellite and/or launch vehicle failure mode?

 - Ed Kyle

[Conexion Espacial]

http://www.news.cn/2021-09/28/c_1127913943.htm

So the official statement is that the LM-3B flight was normal till spacecraft separation, however "there was an abnormal situation with the satellite *during* the launch process" and the cause is under investigation.

Wondering if it could be a payload fairing issue? Internal vibration for example as on recent Ariane 5 flights, but worse...

The "during" is key.  A launch vehicle's mission is to deliver its payload to a planned orbit in operational condition.  Will we ever know the satellite and/or launch vehicle failure mode?

 - Ed Kyle

That's right, many of us thought that the error was in the satellite after separation since the first reports said that the rocket worked normally, but if this one says that it was "during" the launch, it is possible that some error in the rocket led to a bad separation or damage to the satellite, as jcm says, maybe the fairing, the separation of the satellite or something like that.

[Alter Sachse]

It may be, the satellite was separated as scheduled, but it could not be activated. After many attempts, it was abandoned.
So it took hours before any information was given.

[input~2]

Space-Track has named Object A as "SHIYAN 10 (SY-10)" and Object B as "CZ-3B R/B". No orbit change observed for both objects as yet.

[input~2]

The issue seems to revolve around the satellite battery.