BeiDou-3 MEO1&MEO2 - CZ-3B/YZ-1 - XSLC - November 5, 2017 (11:45 UTC)

[beidou]

According to various Chinese media reports, China is going to launch as many as 18 BeiDou-3 satellites by the end of 2018 to achieve IOC. Launch of BeiDou-3 satellites will resume starting 2017, we can anticipate a very ambiguous launch plan for the following two years.

 

[beidou]

Likely this launch will be in June.

[beidou]

This launch is expected on July 15th...

[beidou]

Likely this launch will be deferred following the failure of ZX-9A.

[SmallKing]

Likely this launch will be deferred following the failure of ZX-9A.

It won't

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/xmhpqx6XsXnFwBx0P47n3w

[BabaORileyUSA]

Please pardon my confusion. 

From Gunter's, it appears that the Beidou-3M -series satellites can be launched ONE AT A TIME by the CZ-03*C*/YZ-1; if they are launched in PAIRS, they are to be launched on a CZ-03*B*/YZ-1.

Am I misunderstanding Gunter, is Gunter misunderstanding the Chinese, or do "we" not understand anything about this particular launch?!?!

[chewi]

Please pardon my confusion. 

From Gunter's, it appears that the Beidou-3M -series satellites can be launched ONE AT A TIME by the CZ-03*C*/YZ-1; if they are launched in PAIRS, they are to be launched on a CZ-03*B*/YZ-1.

Am I misunderstanding Gunter, is Gunter misunderstanding the Chinese, or do "we" not understand anything about this particular launch?!?!

The launcher is CZ-3B, according to Long Lehao
http://www.dingsheng.com/forum.php?mod=viewtree&tid=1004213

[zubenelgenubi]

I take it the launch has been delayed from July 15? (It's very early morning July 16 Beijing Time.)

[russianhalo117]

I take it the launch has been delayed from July 15? (It's very early morning July 16 Beijing Time.)

Yes it appears CZ-3 launcher family has been grounded so all launches this year should now be marked as TBD.

[SmallKing]

I take it the launch has been delayed from July 15? (It's very early morning July 16 Beijing Time.)

No further information, but someone in the Chinese forum said it would be NET late July

[SmallKing]

Considering YuanWang 3/5/6/7 have returned, BeiDou-3 will not launch in the coming weeks

[SmallKing]

A picture taken by a tourist maybe in July 19 shown no rocket in LP-3
And we already know LP-2 is empty also

http://photo.weibo.com/1955174573/wbphotos/large/mid/4131472002523803/pid/748998adgy1fhpy47gtjfj20qo0zkn8k

[russianhalo117]

A picture taken by a tourist maybe in July 19 shown no rocket in LP-3
And we already know LP-2 is empty also

http://photo.weibo.com/1955174573/wbphotos/large/mid/4131472002523803/pid/748998adgy1fhpy47gtjfj20qo0zkn8k

LC3 is still configured for CZ-2C with its adapter still on the pedestal from the stacking test at least since the last time the service gantries were partially opened a couple of months ago.

[SmallKing]

A picture taken by a tourist maybe in July 19 shown no rocket in LP-3
And we already know LP-2 is empty also

http://photo.weibo.com/1955174573/wbphotos/large/mid/4131472002523803/pid/748998adgy1fhpy47gtjfj20qo0zkn8k

LC3 is still configured for CZ-2C with its adapter still on the pedestal from the stacking test at least since the last time the service gantries were partially opened a couple of months ago.

I can not find the adapter, the pedestal configuration is almost the same as that picture taken last year

[SmallKing]

This article said the CZ-3B/YZ-1 will be launched very soon
http://news.dayoo.com/guangdong/201709/06/139996_51751033.htm

[Satori]

This article said the CZ-3B/YZ-1 will be launched very soon
http://news.dayoo.com/guangdong/201709/06/139996_51751033.htm

Good news!!!

[SmallKing]

A local travel agency reported that Xichang's plan to launch a rocket on 29th night. I'm not sure if this will be a BeiDou-3 mission
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/MT48TgNxSf8FdbivgRK9ag

Looks like Yuanwang-3 is leaving the port

[Satori]

Launch to apparently to take place on September 29.

[SmallKing]

Launch to apparently to take place on September 29.

What's your source?
During the Global Navigation Satellite System and Location Based Service Association of China (GLAC), CCTV had an interview with BDS chief designer, he said the first pair of BD-3 may be launched next month

北斗卫星导航系统副总设计师 冉承其：计划是在2020年全部建成，我们所有的核心技术，包括产品我们都已经开始研制生产，具备条件，大概下个月就会开始，我们组网的第一组卫星的发射。

http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2017/09-17/8333065.shtml

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Launch to apparently to take place on September 29.

What's your source?
During the Global Navigation Satellite System and Location Based Service Association of China (GLAC), CCTV had an interview with BDS chief designer, he said the first pair of BD-3 may be launched next month

北斗卫星导航系统副总设计师 冉承其：计划是在2020年全部建成，我们所有的核心技术，包括产品我们都已经开始研制生产，具备条件，大概下个月就会开始，我们组网的第一组卫星的发射。

http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2017/09-17/8333065.shtml

The date is from 9ifly where people are quoting local tour operators at Xichang that there will be a launch on that day, and this one is the most obvious candidate.

Of course, this launch could have slipped since then, or that it's for another payload (if so, no one really have any idea of which one!  ).....