Rumors on 9ifly Chinese space forum that China is preparing to launch two more European satellites on 2012. Any hint about this?
Someone reported a probable launch from TSLC at noon local time on the 26th (i.e. early morning UTC). Orbital or suborbital, that is the question.... Interestingly, another source reported that there will be an orbital launch before the launch of SZ-8 (or is the launch of SZ-8 being delayed?).
Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 10/25/2011 03:03 amSomeone reported a probable launch from TSLC at noon local time on the 26th (i.e. early morning UTC). Orbital or suborbital, that is the question.... Interestingly, another source reported that there will be an orbital launch before the launch of SZ-8 (or is the launch of SZ-8 being delayed?).As it turned out, it seems that launch was a suborbital missile test.
Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 10/25/2011 03:03 amSomeone reported a probable launch from TSLC at noon local time on the 26th (i.e. early morning UTC). Orbital or suborbital, that is the question.... Interestingly, another source reported that there will be an orbital launch before the launch of SZ-8 (or is the launch of SZ-8 being delayed?).As it turned out, it seems that launch was a suborbital missile test.However, new sources indicated that an orbital launch will indeed happen from Taiyuan within the next several days, with a possible launch date of October 29. A NOTAM will probably clear up any uncertainties, now that the Chinese aren't announcing orbital launches before hand...
Still aiming for 20 launches at the end of 2011. From Xinhua, China to launch 20 rockets, 25 satellites in 2011.
Hm, it means that some of the intended launches will have multiple payloads. And maybe during one (or more) former launches this year more then one satellite was sent to orbit. A potential candidate could be the launch at Aug 15th from TSLC with HY-2A. At this webpage http://spaceship781.blog.163.com/blog/static/29293097201172265118135/two philatelic covers (issued by TSLC) are shown which tells that a second satellite called Tianhang-1 was launched simultaniously.
Quote from: limen4 on 10/31/2011 02:05 pmHm, it means that some of the intended launches will have multiple payloads. And maybe during one (or more) former launches this year more then one satellite was sent to orbit. A potential candidate could be the launch at Aug 15th from TSLC with HY-2A. At this webpage http://spaceship781.blog.163.com/blog/static/29293097201172265118135/two philatelic covers (issued by TSLC) are shown which tells that a second satellite called Tianhang-1 was launched simultaniously. Good catch, limen4!This second satellite is called "a mini satellite" on the first cover, its name “天行一号” could also be read as Tianxing-1 (sky traveller-1)No much additional reference to it though.
There is another launch being prepared at Jiuquan at the same time they are countingdown for the SZ-8 launch. Maybe this is the Shiyan Weixing-4 and Chuang Xin-3, or the YaoGan Weixing-13 launch.
