Author Topic: Beidou-2A launch  (Read 19253 times)

Online edkyle99

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Re: Beidou-2A launch
« Reply #20 on: 02/27/2007 07:34 pm »
Quote
sammie - 27/2/2007  10:21 AM

OK, maybe Im just a bit daft, but what is a plat pad? If I look at the the google-world image then I don't see any supporting infrastructure at all in the direct vicinity. Would that indicate that the ASAT was launched from a mobile TEL? Or uses it minimal infrastructure like Tsyklon launches?

Thanks in advance

A flat pad is not equipped with an underground flame deflector duct, and it is not equipped with substantial -  and sometimes not any - umbilical or service tower structures.  It is used for two launcher types.  The first type includes launches from slightly elevated launch stands, as in Taurus, Minotaur, and China's KT-1 (see the following link)

http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm?http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/kt-1.htm

The second type are launches by mobile transporter-erector-launcher systems, such as China's DF-21, upon which the KT-1 launcher appears to be based.  Since China's ASAT was said to have been a converted IRBM, and since DF-21 is an IRBM, there are reasons to suspect that the ASAT test was performed by a DF-21 based launcher.  The flat pad shown in the image is important because Xichang has long been devoted to satellite launches, including Western commercial satellite launches during the 1990s - and these launches have been performed from traditional pads by Long March rockets.  Military tests, and even the previously known KT-1 launch attempts, were previously performed from China's other launch sites.  Now we know that Xichang has a flat pad that can handle rockets like DF-21, KT-1 etc.

 - Ed Kyle

Online edkyle99

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RE: Google Unmasks XiChang!!!!
« Reply #21 on: 02/27/2007 07:52 pm »
Looking a bit more at the big construction project in the mountains, it appears to lead here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=28.207+N,101.974E&z=18&ll=28.207131,101.974652&spn=0.002156,0.005407&t=k&om=1

This could be any number of things.  Its shape suggests "possible launch pad" to me at first impression, but I don't want to fool myself into believing this just yet.  It could the be portal to a to-be-started tunnel, for example, or a site for a big tracking radar or observatory, or even the start of a big dam project, etc.  

A closer look at the rail/roadway shows that it has tight curves of only 50-70-ish meter radius.  I think that may be too "tight" for a railway, so this is looking more and more like a heavy-duty road to me.  

 - Ed Kyle

Online edkyle99

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RE: Google Unmasks XiChang!!!!
« Reply #22 on: 02/28/2007 12:46 am »

Online Satori

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RE: Google Unmasks XiChang!!!!
« Reply #23 on: 02/28/2007 12:55 am »
This is old news but I think it is interesting for the debate; from Xinhua (30 Dec 06) http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/30/content_5551214.htm

Offline mattrog

RE: Google Unmasks XiChang!!!!
« Reply #24 on: 02/28/2007 01:04 pm »
Just had a bit of a look at Google Maps During my lunch break

I think it does look like a road - Quite a big project by the looks of it. If you follow the road back it looks like it links up with the main road on to the Launch site - and if you follow this it does appear to keep going back further than that - all the way off the edge of the hires photomapped area ...

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=28.207+N,101.974E&om=1&z=15&ll=28.211239,102.041273&spn=0.026472,0.054245&t=k

I think the end of the current building works may be the end of the line. The whole road appears to be at a similar stage of construction - and there is no further obvious construction further on from the end of the current works.
The current end has a short cut that appears to allow smaller vehicles to get to the end without going all the way round. There is a smaller road that looks like it could possible go the other side of the "end" construction:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=28.199903+N,101.963189+E&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=17&ll=28.208214,101.976449&spn=0.006618,0.013561&t=k

They also appear to be clearing more space around the "end" - but i am not sure what for - Am I Theatre Tech not rocket tech !!!

I cant look at it in 3D as Google earth is still Greying out the whole area ....

Lets hope Google are reading this and can unblock the Google Earth area !!

Offline sammie

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Re: Beidou-2A launch
« Reply #25 on: 04/11/2007 09:27 am »
According to this article they seem to have regained contact with the satellite. Does someone know how they managed to get it into the proper orbit, contrary to earlier reports

Quote
Satellite 4, which went into orbit on Feb. 3, was unable to deploy its solar panels correctly after launch, said an official with the control center.
"The dreams ain't broken downhere, they're just walking with a limp"

Offline mattrog

RE: Google Unmasks XiChang!!!!
« Reply #26 on: 06/02/2007 03:01 pm »
Not sure if this warented a new post or not ..

The road to nowhere @ Xichang as discused above is now visible on Google earth

It's still not clear what its doing - but being able to see it in 3D makes some of the details a bit more clear.

It climbs 700m in about 11 miles. Its got a couple of Tunnels - One is about a mile long.

I am going to try and attach a Google KMZ File - not sure if it will work !

Anyone got any thoughts/Info

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