NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
International Space Flight (ESA, Russia, China and others) => Chinese Launchers => Topic started by: beidou on 06/11/2013 04:55 pm
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Currently this is no official information on this launch yet. Based on various earlier Chinese media reports: Shenzhou 11 will be docked to Tiangong-2 space module, which is expected to be launched in 2015; so there could be a gap of several years for the next Shenzhou mission.
It's also not clear if Shenzhou 11 will be a manned mission or not and it should be dependent on the progress of Shenzhou 10 (docking to Tiangong-1).
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I am sure that the original plan was for Tiangong 1 to host three Shenzhou missions, the first being unmanned. Then Tiangong 2 (original version) and Tiangong 3 would each receive three Shenzhou craft, all manned.
With the original Tiangong 2 being deleted from the plans and the Salyut 6/7 class Tiangong 3 now being #2, I wonder if we will see the next Tiangong hosting more missions than the original three? Maybe 4-5?
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I am sure that the original plan was for Tiangong 1 to host three Shenzhou missions, the first being unmanned. Then Tiangong 2 (original version) and Tiangong 3 would each receive three Shenzhou craft, all manned.
With the original Tiangong 2 being deleted from the plans and the Salyut 6/7 class Tiangong 3 now being #2, I wonder if we will see the next Tiangong hosting more missions than the original three? Maybe 4-5?
I also believe in that. Being launched at the end of 2015, doesn't make much sense only to launch two missions.
There will be much to test with TG-2: the new cargo module, refueling in orbit, maybe EVA from the station, etc. I bet in more than 5/6 missions to TG-2.
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I am sure that the original plan was for Tiangong 1 to host three Shenzhou missions, the first being unmanned. Then Tiangong 2 (original version) and Tiangong 3 would each receive three Shenzhou craft, all manned.
With the original Tiangong 2 being deleted from the plans and the Salyut 6/7 class Tiangong 3 now being #2, I wonder if we will see the next Tiangong hosting more missions than the original three? Maybe 4-5?
I also believe in that. Being launched at the end of 2015, doesn't make much sense only to launch two missions.
There will be much to test with TG-2: the new cargo module, refueling in orbit, maybe EVA from the station, etc. I bet in more than 5/6 missions to TG-2.
Then that will be lots of launches in the time frame 2015-2018, may be two launches each year?
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"Chinese Space Station Project Overall Vision", an article written by the director of China manned space program office.
Unfortunately, it was in Chinese; it will be much helpful if any Chinese reader here could translate it into English ;)
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"Envision Chinese Space Station Project", an article written by the director of China manned space program office.
Unfortunately, it was in Chinese; it will be much helpful if any Chinese reader here could translate it into English ;)
Isn't this already posted in the modular station thread?
Anyway, just trying to highlight some interesting notes:
1. Baseline configuration of the station consists three modules: the core/node module, research module one and two. Maximum (optional) configuration will see the addition of another service module (might be a rebuilt of the core module backup), two more research modules and some additional solar panels, exposed facilities & trusses. Baseline to be completed before 2022.
2. The nodal module will act as the airlock during the initial construction of the station, later it will serve as the backup airlock. The primary airlock is located in research module I. This is basically same as MIR.
3. The unpressurised section in research module II houses an infrared survey telescope.
4. Confirmed use of electric ion thrusters to maintain the station’s orbit.
5. One small and one large robotic arm. The large one is presumably the Chinese Canadarm 2. Not sure if the small one is more Lyappa or Dextre-like.
6. Next generation of Feitian suit. Support an EVA capacity comparable to that on ISS.
7. Power supply: 100V DC, triple-junction GaAs solar array with 30+% efficiency, lithium batteries. Did not mention maximum power.
8. Cargo ship: 6500kg upmass, 6000kg download mass (for disposal). Modular design of pressurized, semi-pressurised and unpressurised sections (similar to HTV). Capable to work as a tug and transport a small module up to 5000kg and 3×4.5m.
Everything else is already known (sort of) if you follow the Chinese program closely.
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Some corrections. Just went through the article again and a Lyappa-like device is discussed seperately so I assume the small robitic arm refers to something else.
Could be a Chinese Dextre or simply a smaller version of the big arm.
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Currently this is no official information on this launch yet. Based on various earlier Chinese media reports: Shenzhou 11 will be docked to Tiangong-2 space module, which is expected to be launched in 2015; so there could be a gap of several years for the next Shenzhou mission.
It's also not clear if Shenzhou 11 will be a manned mission or not and it should be dependent on the progress of Shenzhou 10 (docking to Tiangong-1).
You is kidding right? We got to wait 2 to 2.5 years for the next manned mission? That can't be right. So we left with just the moon rover missions to keep us interested until then? Nah, I think they must have Tiangong 2 ready for launch next year followed very quickly by SZ-11 else they risk losing the momentum.
Edit: to add I mean Tiangong 2 to be the existing replica of TG-1 which some people say has been scrapped. CHina wouldn't scrap something like that in the same way they slighlty modded Chnag'e 2 which was the backup for CHang'e 1. We are going to get a slightly modded TG-2. TG-3 is coming later in 2015 but that gives us 2 years to fool around with TG-2 first. COunt on it.
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After following the Chinese space programme since the launch of Dongfanghong in 1970, I have learned that the Chinese have their own schedules which take no account of western expectations. Their programme has always progressed very slowly, and we are seeing the same in the piloted programme.
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An updated version of the Chinese article is re-attached.
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An updated version of the Chinese article is re-attached.
Is it?
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An updated version of the Chinese article is re-attached.
Is it?
See above
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After following the Chinese space programme since the launch of Dongfanghong in 1970, I have learned that the Chinese have their own schedules which take no account of western expectations. Their programme have always progresses very slowly, and we are seeing the same in the piloted programme.
The rate of progress is comparable to the US and USSR in the 60s, it's just they take fewer missions to do it, which makes it seem slower.
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Currently this is no official information on this launch yet. Based on various earlier Chinese media reports: Shenzhou 11 will be docked to Tiangong-2 space module, which is expected to be launched in 2015; so there could be a gap of several years for the next Shenzhou mission.
It's also not clear if Shenzhou 11 will be a manned mission or not and it should be dependent on the progress of Shenzhou 10 (docking to Tiangong-1).
You is kidding right? We got to wait 2 to 2.5 years for the next manned mission? That can't be right. So we left with just the moon rover missions to keep us interested until then? Nah, I think they must have Tiangong 2 ready for launch next year followed very quickly by SZ-11 else they risk losing the momentum.
Edit: to add I mean Tiangong 2 to be the existing replica of TG-1 which some people say has been scrapped. CHina wouldn't scrap something like that in the same way they slighlty modded Chnag'e 2 which was the backup for CHang'e 1. We are going to get a slightly modded TG-2. TG-3 is coming later in 2015 but that gives us 2 years to fool around with TG-2 first. COunt on it.
Do you think that the Chinese are running this programme purely for your entertainment and amusement? There was a 3 year break between SZ-6 and SZ-7, and a near 4 year break between SZ-7 and SZ-9, albeit with TG-1 and SZ-8 slotted into the gap. They run the programme at their own pace, to meet their own techical objectives and milestones. A two year hiatus now, will be par for the course.
There is still a good deal of uncertainty about exactly how the 'new' TG-2 and the accompanying missions (both manned and cargo) will pan out, but I'll confidently predict that virtually everything in your 'edit' will turn out to be completely incorrect!
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Could Shenzhou-11 already exist, or at least parts, as a back up for Shenzhou-10?
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Could Shenzhou-11 already exist, or at least parts, as a back up for Shenzhou-10?
I think so.
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Do you think that the Chinese are running this programme purely for your entertainment and amusement? There was a 3 year break between SZ-6 and SZ-7, and a near 4 year break between SZ-7 and SZ-9, albeit with TG-1 and SZ-8 slotted into the gap. They run the programme at their own pace, to meet their own techical objectives and milestones. A two year hiatus now, will be par for the course.
I agree with tonyq, Chinese are not here for our entertainment.
But, maybe they can consider to fly Shenzhou-11 as a solo mission, in order to maintain proficiency on their technicians, and also maintaining their cosmonauts training and flying on 2014.
Objectives for SZ11 could be an ambitious EVA mission (at least 2-3 hours) with two of the three cosmonauts exiting, testing Feitian suit, performing movements between modules, samples collection, use of dedicated tools...
Thoughts?
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Do you think that the Chinese are running this programme purely for your entertainment and amusement? There was a 3 year break between SZ-6 and SZ-7, and a near 4 year break between SZ-7 and SZ-9, albeit with TG-1 and SZ-8 slotted into the gap. They run the programme at their own pace, to meet their own techical objectives and milestones. A two year hiatus now, will be par for the course.
I agree with tonyq, Chinese are not here for our entertainment.
But, maybe they can consider to fly Shenzhou-11 as a solo mission, in order to maintain proficiency on their technicians, and also maintaining their cosmonauts training and flying on 2014.
Objectives for SZ11 could be an ambitious EVA mission (at least 2-3 hours) with two of the three cosmonauts exiting, testing Feitian suit, performing movements between modules, samples collection, use of dedicated tools...
Thoughts?
There was never any indication such mission could happen and Chinese specialists already said that SZ-11 will dock with TG-2.
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Are they going to demonstrate how to build a modular space station without EVA? Or will the 2015/20 phase work specifically on EVA experience? Just a thought.
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Are they going to demonstrate how to build a modular space station without EVA? Or will the 2015/20 phase work specifically on EVA experience? Just a thought.
Mir was assembled without EVA. The larges Chinese station appears to use the same approach.
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Are they going to demonstrate how to build a modular space station without EVA? Or will the 2015/20 phase work specifically on EVA experience? Just a thought.
Mir was assembled without EVA. The larges Chinese station appears to use the same approach.
The solar arrays installed on 1987 was done by EVA, among others. And they had to do EVAs for repairs.
List of Mir EVAs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mir_spacewalks)
I still think they'll have to do EVAs, even if only for repairs. But they have to develop experience and a spacesuit with the necessary mobility for space repairs. Plus the development of tools and techniques, plus training. From looking into the astronaut training times, they should be, at the very least, building the EVA simulation pools right now.
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Are they going to demonstrate how to build a modular space station without EVA? Or will the 2015/20 phase work specifically on EVA experience? Just a thought.
Mir was assembled without EVA. The larges Chinese station appears to use the same approach.
The solar arrays installed on 1987 was done by EVA, among others. And they had to do EVAs for repairs.
List of Mir EVAs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mir_spacewalks)
I still think they'll have to do EVAs, even if only for repairs. But they have to develop experience and a spacesuit with the necessary mobility for space repairs. Plus the development of tools and techniques, plus training. From looking into the astronaut training times, they should be, at the very least, building the EVA simulation pools right now.
They already have a neutral buoyancy tank for SZ-7 training, which to me seems large enough to accommodate at least one full-size 20t module.
And I'm pretty sure more sophisticated EVAs will be conducted at the new station, maybe attempted as early as TG-2. There's no rush. Remember Soviets also have a 8-year gap between soyuz 4/5 and salyut 6.
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Are they going to demonstrate how to build a modular space station without EVA? Or will the 2015/20 phase work specifically on EVA experience? Just a thought.
Mir was assembled without EVA. The larges Chinese station appears to use the same approach.
The solar arrays installed on 1987 was done by EVA, among others. And they had to do EVAs for repairs.
List of Mir EVAs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mir_spacewalks)
I still think they'll have to do EVAs, even if only for repairs. But they have to develop experience and a spacesuit with the necessary mobility for space repairs. Plus the development of tools and techniques, plus training. From looking into the astronaut training times, they should be, at the very least, building the EVA simulation pools right now.
They already have their own EVA spacesuit. It's called Feitian and looks very similar to the Russian Orlan suit. Zhai Zhigang wore a Feitian on his EVA on Shenzhou-7, while Liu Boming wore an Orlan.
As already mentioned, they also have their own hydrolab for EVA training. See here for example: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=5137.msg275684#msg275684
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Are they going to demonstrate how to build a modular space station without EVA? Or will the 2015/20 phase work specifically on EVA experience? Just a thought.
Mir was assembled without EVA. The larges Chinese station appears to use the same approach.
The solar arrays installed on 1987 was done by EVA, among others. And they had to do EVAs for repairs.
List of Mir EVAs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mir_spacewalks)
I still think they'll have to do EVAs, even if only for repairs. But they have to develop experience and a spacesuit with the necessary mobility for space repairs. Plus the development of tools and techniques, plus training. From looking into the astronaut training times, they should be, at the very least, building the EVA simulation pools right now.
Still minimal compared with ISS.
But yes, I would expect China to do more EVAs in due course.
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On a seminar given to Chinese college students, a senior adviser to Chinese Manned Space Project mentioned the launch could be in the May of 2016.
Source: http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=12879&fromuid=24484
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So I think this probably takes the launch of TG-2 to the last quarter of 2015 (?).
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So I think this probably takes the launch of TG-2 to the last quarter of 2015 (?).
And if we get one piloted mission a year then three flights would be 2016, 2017 and 2018. Then we hand over to the modular station, "The Tiangong Complex". Or maybe "ISS 2".
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The same interview also mention that the mission will have no more than 3 astronauts flying for a maximum of 7 days. The launch date is tentatively set following the launch of TG-2 and the first flight of the CZ-5, both in 2015.
Let me see if I have time soon to note the details from the interview with Huang Chunping.....
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The same interview also mention that the mission will have no more than 3 astronauts flying for a maximum of 7 days. The launch date is tentatively set following the launch of TG-2 and the first flight of the CZ-5, both in 2015.
Let me see if I have time soon to note the details from the interview with Huang Chunping.....
Seven days seems extremely short, especially since the two flights to TG 1 were about two weeks each. Maybe a short flight to prepare TG 2 and transfer goodies from the cargo module and then let the two later visits be for 1-3 months or so?
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China will also launch a manned spacecraft, the Shenzhou-11, and Tianzhou-1 cargo spaceship to dock with Tiangong-2, Yang said.
http://english.cri.cn/12394/2014/09/10/189s843637.htm
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It has been confirmed that this will fly in 2016 (http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=13914&pid=451625&fromuid=24484).
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With acknowledgement to a poster on the NK Forum, as well as the 9ifly source:-
http://bbs.9ifly.cn/thread-12879-3-1.html
It appears that Chinese sources are reporting the completion of thermal control testing of the completed SZ-11 assembly (as per Google Translation)!
I wonder if we can backtrack to the same report for earlier SZ's, as this will provide an indication of the projected launch date.
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Since Tiangong 2 is due in September 2016 at the earliest, I would put Shenzhou 11 as being the "fourth quarter".
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Since Tiangong 2 is due in September 2016 at the earliest, I would put Shenzhou 11 as being the "fourth quarter".
Phil, where has the September date for TG-2 originated. Clearly SZ-11 must follow TG-2, presumably by weeks or months, but I haven't seen such a firm date for TG-2 quoted elsewhere?
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Since Tiangong 2 is due in September 2016 at the earliest, I would put Shenzhou 11 as being the "fourth quarter".
According to http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/2016-01/08/c_134990792.htm Tiangong 2 will be launched in the first half of 2016.
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Since Tiangong 2 is due in September 2016 at the earliest, I would put Shenzhou 11 as being the "fourth quarter".
According to http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/2016-01/08/c_134990792.htm Tiangong 2 will be launched in the first half of 2016.
That might well be out-of-date now, even though it's only two weeks away.
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Since Tiangong 2 is due in September 2016 at the earliest, I would put Shenzhou 11 as being the "fourth quarter".
According to http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/2016-01/08/c_134990792.htm Tiangong 2 will be launched in the first half of 2016.
That might well be out-of-date now, even though it's only two weeks away.
There's news from CASC (http://www.spacechina.com/n25/n144/n206/n214/c1153291/content.html)today that Tiangong-2, Shenzhou-11 and Long March 7 will be launched within half a year. Seems typically vague, but it's notable that they aren't adding Long March 5 into the mix, suggesting that these will be done before CZ-5 takes off in September/October.
But I would say this will all be cleared up before or during the annual parliamentary sessions in March, at the latest.
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I think these are the first images we have from SZ-11 (?)
http://news.cntv.cn/2016/02/14/VIDEcWlzchMP8zOWmjj3yhVX160214.shtml
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Not sure if it is very revealing, but some nice footage of tests on the docking system here: http://gbtimes.com/china/tiangong-2-video-shows-docking-system-chinas-new-space-lab
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I think these are the first images we have from SZ-11 (?)
http://news.cntv.cn/2016/02/14/VIDEcWlzchMP8zOWmjj3yhVX160214.shtml
Could be! Screen captures attached. The animation pictures at the end, except for the modular space station, look like they are from earlier missions.
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Does anyone have a record of when (or indeed if), similar images of SZ-9 and SZ-10 appeared, in relation to the eventual launch dates.
History shows that the Shenzhou series missions tend to follow a fairly consistent timetable and timeline, so if we can get a reliable 'fix' it will give us a good guide to the approximate planned launch date for SZ-11.
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Shenzhou 11 in the assembly shop. Strangely, some photos seems to show RCS thrusters on OM, while other shots doesnt shows nothing.
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Shenzhou 11 in the assembly shop. Strangely, some photos seems to show RCS thrusters on OM, while other shots doesnt shows nothing.
Don't know what they are but the photos do appear to show different sides of the spacecraft. So not surprising they are visible in one and not the other.
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Shenzhou 11 in the assembly shop. Strangely, some photos seems to show RCS thrusters on OM, while other shots doesnt shows nothing.
Don't know what they are but the photos do appear to show different sides of the spacecraft. So not surprising they are visible in one and not the other.
No, the upper photo shows the capsule's RCS reentry control thruster, right in line with the golden object; The lower photo shows the opposite face of capsule, 180 degree apart. And it is obvious that the lower photo shows a quite big part of lower OM circunference with no sign of these devices.
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The photo and a SZ line drawing.
Maybe the Chinese TV juxtaposed earlier SZ footage with this new one?
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A bioreactor on Tianzhou-1 will observe the cellular culture processes onboard, revealing the mechanism of proliferation and differentiation for stem cell in the microgravity environment. A two-phase fluid experiment on Tianzhou-1 will study the process of evaporation and condensation phase transition.
There will be three payloads on Tiangong-2 for the Earth space science, including a Multi-angle Spectral Imager (MSI), a Three-Dimension Microwave Altimeter (3DMA) and a UV Limb sounder (UVL).
MSI will undertake observations of the ocean, atmosphere, land and other environmental resources related landmark information, to demonstrate the key technology of Chinese next generation of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer.
3DMA will use Ku band dual-antenna, wide swath interference imaging to observe and obtain high precision marine 3D shape and 3D terrain, which would break through and master new type elevation
tracking, aperture synthesis and high-precision interferometry phase acquisition and processing, and other advanced key technology of microwave imaging remote sensing.
UVL will perform ultraviolet spectrum limb detection of the Earth’s limb atmosphere, and obtain high spatial and temporal coverage, high vertical resolution images and data, to study the vertical structure and three dimensional distribution of global atmosphere density, ozone distribution, aerosol and other minor-components.
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A Gamma-ray Burst Polarization Detector (POLAR) is a Sino-Swiss cooperated detector for cosmic gammaray
bursts on Tiangong-2. As the first polarization detector, it would explore the high-sensitivity polarization
by GRB mechanism, revealing the structure, the origin and evolution of the universe.
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Errr.... what do those drawings have to do with Shenzhou 11?
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Shenzhou 11 will be docking with Tian Gong 2, which I believe is the module to the right. Tianzhou 1 would be the module to the left.
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Shenzhou 11 will be docking with Tian Gong 2, which I believe is the module to the right. Tianzhou 1 would be the module to the left.
errr... The missions of SZ-11, TG-2 and TZ-1 are connected. So, the pícture.
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Currently this is no official information on this launch yet. Based on various earlier Chinese media reports: Shenzhou 11 will be docked to Tiangong-2 space module, which is expected to be launched in 2015; so there could be a gap of several years for the next Shenzhou mission.
It's also not clear if Shenzhou 11 will be a manned mission or not and it should be dependent on the progress of Shenzhou 10 (docking to Tiangong-1).
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Launch is in fourth quarter this year.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-02/28/c_135137827.htm
"As part of the country's space lab program, China also plans to launch the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft, which will carry two astronauts on board, in the fourth quarter of this year to dock with Tiangong-2, according to the program's spokesperson."
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Crew training for SZ-11.
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Packing the parachute for Shenzhou-11:
(Source: https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/710706628215975939 )
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It has been reported that the Shenzhou 11 mission will last for about 30 days. Is it too early to suggest a duration of 30d 7h 9m (+2 minutes or so) ?
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The attached launch simulation photo suggests that Shenzhou 11 will be launched around 13:04 Beijing Time on October 17th this year. Using my estimated lifetime of 30d 7h 9m suggests that the landing will be November 16 at about 20:13 Beijing Time, so a night-time landing. The only other night-time landing of a piloted Chinese spacecraft was that of Shenzhou 6.
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It has been reported that the Shenzhou 11 mission will last for about 30 days. Is it too early to suggest a duration of 30d 7h 9m (+2 minutes or so) ?
Latest report says the mission will last for 33 days.
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It has been reported that the Shenzhou 11 mission will last for about 30 days. Is it too early to suggest a duration of 30d 7h 9m (+2 minutes or so) ?
Latest report says the mission will last for 33 days.
Landing opportunities come on alternate days, assuming the same orbit regime as seen throughout the Shenzhou and Tiangong programmes to date - ie, operations using the 31-circuits repeating orbit. So for a flight of ~33 days you have 32d 6h 16m or 34d 5h 19m. Being realistic I would suggest +5 minutes on these durations.
Time will tell, as it always does.
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Re the Shenzhou 11 simulated countdown photo that I posted on here a few messages ago, can anyone translate the captions on the left-hand side which show the countdown events, please? I was assuming that 13:04 was the planned launch time but maybe it's just the time reached during the simulation.
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China selects only two astronauts for new mission so they can extend time to 30 days in space (http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1974370/china-selects-only-two-astronauts-new-mission-so-they-can-extend).
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China selects only two astronauts for new mission so they can extend time to 30 days in space (http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1974370/china-selects-only-two-astronauts-new-mission-so-they-can-extend).
Maybe it is something to do with translations, but I have also seen statements which suggest that the Shenzhou 11 crew will spend ~30 days on board Tiangong 2, so this suggests a flight time close to 32 or 34 days. ("Accurate" figures given above.)
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A rehearsal of this mission disclosed that SZ-11 will be launched in the morning of Oct 17th (CST) (http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=12879&pid=472110&fromuid=24484).
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The CZ-2F that will launch Shenzhou-11 left Beijing today by train bound for Jiuquan.
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The CZ-2F that will launch Shenzhou-11 arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on August 6.
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It seems to be very likely that launch of SZ-11 will happen in November and landing in December.
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Shenzhou-11 manned spaceship reaches launch ground; scheduled for mid-October launch according to China's manned space engineering office
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-08/13/c_135593984.htm
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Shenzhou-11 arriving at Jiuquan.
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Arrival at the airport Jiǔquán
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Arrival at the airport Jiǔquán
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Andrew Jones @AJ_FI
China is preparing commemorative stamps for upcoming Shenzhou-11/Tiangong-2 missions. Crew identity obvs withheld.
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The first look at SZ-11 patch
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https://youtu.be/8kgWdPG17x8
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The Shenzhou 11th" previous 2 astronauts training screen.
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/777789324448280576
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The Shenzhou 11th" previous 2 astronauts training screen.
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/777789324448280576
Is it possible to make out which taikonauts are visible in the capsule camera?
That way, we can try to figure out what the crew is before CNSA makes the announcement on launch day.
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Is it possible to make out which taikonauts are visible in the capsule camera?
I don't think there is a way unless you find all the taikonauts that are in the CNSA. I guess that there will be at least one veteran taikonaut on this flight.
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And that one veteran taikonaut is likely the Commander.
A few candidates come to my mind: Liu Wang, Zhang Xiaoguang, Liu Boming, or Fei Junlong.
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Rui is preparing a front page feature about the SZ-11 launch, and I have contributed a lengthy analysis on the possible crewing options and scenarios. I don't want to spoil the article, but we will be predicting:-
Commander: Lui Wang, or Zhang Xiaoguan
Operator: Cai Xuzhe, Tang Hongbo, or Lu Zhang.
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Rui is preparing a front page feature about the SZ-11 launch, and I have contributed a lengthy analysis on the possible crewing options and scenarios. I don't want to spoil the article, but we will be predicting:-
Commander: Lui Wang, or Zhang Xiaoguang
Operator: Cai Xuzhe, Tang Hongbo, or Lu Zhang.
In support of your prediction, here are the possible crew selections out of the five taikonauts:
Liu Wang & Cai Xuzhe
Liu Wang & Tang Hongbo
Liu Wang & Zhang Lu
Zhang Xiaoguang & Cai Xuzhe
Zhang Xiaoguang & Tang Hongbo
Zhang Xiaoguang & Zhang Lu
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Rui is preparing a front page feature about the SZ-11 launch, and I have contributed a lengthy analysis on the possible crewing options and scenarios. I don't want to spoil the article, but we will be predicting:-
Commander: Lui Wang, or Zhang Xiaoguan
Operator: Cai Xuzhe, Tang Hongbo, or Lu Zhang.
Yes, great work by you and Rui. Here it is!
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/china-prepares-crew-shenzhou-11-tiangong-2/
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According with the new information on the article, we should expect the launch on October 11 with docking on October 13.
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This points to a 32 day presence onboard Tiangong-2, starting on October 13.
Tiangong-2 pre-launch press conf on sept 14th:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdnUr_Fr-Yc
3:23 - launched by later october
15:20 - stay in tg-2 for 30 days + 3 days of flight time
16:45 - 'late oct'
Edit: whoops, forgot to add my point: Do we really think that the Swiss, the Swiss, didn't add a remote control mechanism to shut off the experiment? That they didn't consider the possibility of delayed crew launch or delayed docking?
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This points to a 32 day presence onboard Tiangong-2, starting on October 13.
Tiangong-2 pre-launch press conf on sept 14th:
3:23 - launched by later october
15:20 - stay in tg-2 for 30 days + 3 days of flight time
16:45 - 'late oct'
Edit: whoops, forgot to add my point: Do we really think that the Swiss, the Swiss, didn't add a remote control mechanism to shut off the experiment? That they didn't consider the possibility of delayed crew launch or delayed docking?
So? The Swiss experiment is made in conjunction with its Chinese counterparts. I don't see the relevance for the article of having or not and remote control mechanism to shut off the experiment.
Until now, and with everything going according to plan, the experiment will be disconnected 28 days after Tiangong-2 launch. If any problem arises before launch, then it looks obvious that the experiment may run a little longer before being disconnect.
A similar disconnection period will take place in 2017.
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Tiangong-2 space lab enters preset orbit for docking with manned spacecraft (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-09/25/c_135712721.htm).
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The rocket was apparently rolled out to the pad today. Sounds like previous rumors of launching on October 17 local time are close..... ;)
(Chinese forum members uses TG-2's orbital data and calculated the launch time to be ~23:30 UTC on the 16th; docking would be ~19:40 UTC on the 18th).
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The rocket was apparently rolled out to the pad today. Sounds like previous rumors of launching on October 17 local time are close..... ;)
(Chinese forum members uses TG-2's orbital data and calculated the launch time to be ~23:30 UTC on the 16th; docking would be ~19:40 UTC on the 18th).
I do hope any rollout photos are shown soon if the Long March 2F/G rocket is indeed on the pad.
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/785375688744239104
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/785383268828839936
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/785375688744239104
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/785383268828839936
Strange that the state media didn't report about it at all.... (they did for TG-2)
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/785375688744239104
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/785383268828839936
Strange that the state media didn't report about it at all.... (they did for TG-2)
Or maybe they are waiting for the arrival of the crew to Jiuquan in a few days.
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Shenzhou No. 11 spacecraft (SZ-11): at 10:00 on October 10, 2016, the Long March II F Y11 rocket transfer to the launch site.
Photo by Cui.T
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If the launch will take place on the 16th or 17th, taikonauts should arrive to Jiuquan today.
-
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This lack of information is frustrating :( The taikonauts should already be at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and some usual traditions are taking place these days together with launch preparations.
Today we should have a launch simulation with the crew inside SZ-11 and the next days there will be some protocolar activities.
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Maybe as things become more routine the Chinese will consider them to be less worthy of being reported in a timely manner.
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Maybe as things become more routine the Chinese will consider them to be less worthy of being reported in a timely manner.
put your eyes on utube......the best info on many subjects has moved there.
https://youtu.be/7McgnMuWUKo
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Interview with chief designer of Tiangong-2
http://china.org.cn/china/2016-10/14/content_39487895.htm
Most interesting comment for me was:
"Zhu added that Tiangong 2 will have no other mission after it docks with Tianzhou 1 next year."
which indicates no Shenzhou-12 visit. Pity.
Looks like Shenzhou-11 will be the only manned visit to Tiangong-2.
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According to reports on the web the pre-launch press conference will be held tomorrow at 01:00 UTC, when the identity of the astronauts and the exact launch time will be announced. Coverage of the launch will start with crew departure to the pad at around 20:00 UTC.
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So they're really waiting for the very last moment to announce the names ...
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Moved to live coverage anticipating the live coverage of the pre-launch press conference will be held tomorrow at 01:00 UTC (October 16) when the identity of the astronauts and the exact launch time will be announced.
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Interview with chief designer of Tiangong-2
http://china.org.cn/china/2016-10/14/content_39487895.htm
Most interesting comment for me was:
"Zhu added that Tiangong 2 will have no other mission after it docks with Tianzhou 1 next year."
which indicates no Shenzhou-12 visit. Pity.
Looks like Shenzhou-11 will be the only manned visit to Tiangong-2.
That seems a real shame. It sounds as if aside from this manned mission and the cargo test next year that it's just going to operate as an autonomous science platform.
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Interview with chief designer of Tiangong-2
http://china.org.cn/china/2016-10/14/content_39487895.htm
Most interesting comment for me was:
"Zhu added that Tiangong 2 will have no other mission after it docks with Tianzhou 1 next year."
which indicates no Shenzhou-12 visit. Pity.
Looks like Shenzhou-11 will be the only manned visit to Tiangong-2.
That seems a real shame. It sounds as if aside from this manned mission and the cargo test next year that it's just going to operate as an autonomous science platform.
Does this maybe indicate the life support systems are not capable of more
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So... this may turn out to be the only manned mission until the big space station comes alive. If true, this could mean that we won't see a manned Chinese mission until 2018-2020 period...
But it looks like they never cared about long gaps.
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Moved to live coverage anticipating the live coverage of the pre-launch press conference will be held tomorrow at 01:00 UTC (October 16) when the identity of the astronauts and the exact launch time will be announced.
Correction: It seems that it will be held at 02:30 UTC instead.
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Moved to live coverage anticipating the live coverage of the pre-launch press conference will be held tomorrow at 01:00 UTC (October 16) when the identity of the astronauts and the exact launch time will be announced.
Correction: It seems that it will be held at 02:30 UTC instead.
A couple of questions that no NSF member may have (yet):
Will the press conference be carried (live or delayed) on the English language CCTV news?
Will the press conference be web-cast?
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Moved to live coverage anticipating the live coverage of the pre-launch press conference will be held tomorrow at 01:00 UTC (October 16) when the identity of the astronauts and the exact launch time will be announced.
Correction: It seems that it will be held at 02:30 UTC instead.
A couple of questions that no NSF member may have (yet):
Will the press conference be carried (live or delayed) on the English language CCTV news?
Will the press conference be web-cast?
found this link on that new page...look for news
http://www.cctv-america.com/livestream/
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Live in Chinese and English on CCTV-4 now
http://tv.cctv.com/live/cctvamerica/
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The briefing BEFORE the press conference has begun (02:00 UTC). During the news broadcast in the hour prior, the reporter said the names of the 2 astronauts would be announced. Then, the press conference would follow.
I missed the introductions: who are the 1 woman and 2 men on the dais?
(EDIT: The man on the left is acting as translator into English.)
(EDIT: The woman in the center is the spokesperson of the Chinese manned space program.)
They started with a statement from the woman seated in the center. I didn't hear any "new news" during the portion of her statement that I listened to. Now they are taking questions from the journalists. The earlier news coverage said around 200 journalists were in attendance. (Anyone from NSF there?)
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Jing Haipeng is back as commander.
The left seat will be filled by Chen Dong.
-
The first question that I was able to pay full attention to was asked by a Russian journalist--asking if the mission preparation was accomplished by China alone, or if they received assistance from another nation? (Question for NSF members--could this journalist been implying by his question that the Chinese CAN'T execute their own human spaceflight program without foreign help?)
The answer stressed it was a Chinese mission, but that there are connections internationally to the other space agencies of the world.
I missed the question from the lady reporter for a Chinese radio network.
A question about the astronaut/taikonaut selection process, noting there is one "old" and one "new" taikonaut. (Both terms were used by the translator.) And a question about the experiment aboard provided by Hong Kong middle school students.
Another questioner: How are the tasks distributed between the 2 taikonauts/astronauts?
Answer: there is extensive cross-training.
I just heard the explicit length of the fully successful mission: 33 days.
Both men will work for 8 hours/day, then rest at "night."
Exercise includes use of an exercise bicycle.
Communication with family available by phone and e-mail.
Live ultrasound aboard will be used to monitor cardiovascular activity.
Experiments will include plant growth. (The earlier coverage mentioned growing plants from seeds aboard TG-2, then planting those seeds for a 2nd generation life cycle in space.)
Life in space is very "colorful" and exciting.
Space diaries will be kept.
End of press conference--closing statement from the man on the right of the dais.
Another press conference will follow, about 30 minutes after the conclusion of this press conference, to allow the press to meet the 2 crewmen.
(slight EDIT)
-
Q: how do you divide the work between two astronauts ? what are the tasks and highlights ?
A: the crew just introduced. They mutually back up each, trained pilots, docking, emergency and malfunctions.
They will complete spacecraft care, and orbiting mission, outreach and demos.
Highlights : life in space, 35 days in orbit, longest mission - already a highlight.
The taikonauts will work six days a week, 8 hours a day, same regime as ground.
Many types of food supplied on the flight, Treadmill, can call families over radio and emails
The life in space will be colorful and interesting.
Second highlight: experiments
Taikonauts will carry out many orbiting experiments
Ultrasound inspection experiments, cardiopulmonary function. Replacement of space production samples and plant cultivation
Orbital repair experiments
Third highlight: outreach and demoes
- press conference over. The answers seemed very canned/scripted
-
Jing Haipeng is back as commander.
The left seat will be filled by Chen Dong.
First Chinese Astronaut to make three flights! Good for him.
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Shenzhou 11 Press conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mULqOwZHE84
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These two men were introduced
"
Jing Haipeng is back as commander.
The left seat will be filled by Chen Dong." as Galactic Penguin said
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There was an extensive story (in Chinese only) about Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong, including interviews with both astronauts. There were interesting video clips from various portions of the training process, and from the Shenzhou-7 and 9 missions.
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- press conference over. The answers seemed very canned/scripted
In the portion that I saw, there was only 1 question not from a Chinese journalist.
I think you're right. The answers were very well prepared, as if being read from a script. I suppose to have well-prepared answers, you'd have to know what questions will be asked. Which implies that the questions were approved ahead of time.
No "Burning Man" questions today at JSLC! ;D
-
Amazing that Jing Haipeng is gonna make a third spaceflight.
Liu Boming or Zhang Xiaoguang could've taken the Commander slot, but I'm fine with Haipeng.
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(http://lk.astronautilus.pl/temp/pfa/sz11crew.jpg)
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"Meet the crew" press conference has begun. The 2 astronauts are behind a Plexiglas wall.
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There seems to be some confusion on the length of the mission. CCTV just reported it was 30 days. Elsewhere 33 and 35 days. Great news for Jing Haipeng, he will hold the Chinese duration record for some years. Not bad for a 49 year old.
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There seems to be some confusion on the length of the mission. CCTV just reported it was 30 days. Elsewhere 33 and 35 days.
See here (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/16/c_135757498.htm):
The spacecraft will dock with orbiting space lab Tiangong-2 within two days, and the astronauts will stay in the space lab for 30 days, she said.
After that the Shenzhou-11 spaceship will separate with Tiangong-2 and return to Earth within one day, Wu said.
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Liu Boming or Zhang Xiaoguan could've taken the Commander slot, but I'm fine with Haipeng.
I'm sure the Chinese will be mightily relieved that you approve of their selection!
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Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong
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Although this is not a live update, here's a video I made that depicts what will happen over the course of the 10-minute ascent of Shenzhou 11.
This video is mainly aimed toward those who are not familiar with the Chinese manned space program.
Credit goes to CCTV for these video clips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OoWUdJnGFQ
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China to launch Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft on Oct. 17
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/nation/China-to-launch-Shenzhou11-manned-spacecraft-on-Oct-17/shdaily.shtml
Wu Ping, deputy director of China's manned space engineering office, addresses a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 16, 2016. The Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft will be launched at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 17, 2016 Beijing Time (2330 GMT Oct. 16). The spaceship will take two male astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong into space. The spacecraft will dock with orbiting space lab Tiangong-2 within two days and the astronauts will stay in the space lab for 30 days before returning to Earth. The 50-year-old Jing will be commander of the mission. It will be the first spaceflight of 38-year-old Chen and Jing Haipeng's third.
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Rui's article!
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/10/chinese-duo-launch-shenzhou-11/
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Astronauts of China's Shenzhou-11 mission meet press (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/16/c_135757936.htm).
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China Focus: The sky-high dreams of Shenzhou-11 astronaut Chen Dong (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/16/c_135758408.htm).
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Astronauts to be Xinhua's special correspondents in space (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/16/c_135757918.htm).
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I hope someone has hi res portraits / photos.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsyeLmMGL6w
Astronauts of China's Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft, Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong, met the press on Sunday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China, ahead of the spacecraft launch scheduled at 07:30 on Monday.
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After the Shenzhou-7 and 9 missions, China's Jing Haipeng has been named as one of the two astronauts to fly the Shenzhou-11 spaceship, making Jing the only astronaut in the country to be in space for three times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFVL9BpXm28
In past years, China's astronauts have ventured into space with various aerospace missions. Today, the country is counting on the younger generation to conduct future missions. Ex-fighter pilot Chen Dong has been selected for the upcoming mission on Shenzhou-11 and Tiangong-2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVBXFD4LJgI
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Shenzhou 11 Press conference
This YouTube video has already been removed.
From the CCTV YouTube account:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUI6U6YH6lc
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Shenzhou 11 Press conference
This YouTube video has already been removed.
From the CCTV YouTube account:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUI6U6YH6lc
Am I understanding wrongly, (11:46) or the chinese astronauts are going to use Penguin suits for countermeasuring microgravity effects on muscles?
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Shenzhou-11 patch:
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Shenzhou-11 crew
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The crew should now be suiting up for this evening's launch. The Launch and Entry suits they wear are derivatives of the Russian Sokol suits and are said to be lighter in mass.
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Chen Dong was involved in the CAVES Program with Ye Guangfu
From the China Taikinauts thread:
https://twitter.com/ESA_CAVES/status/541648706484064256
Here a photo with Ye Guangfu and Chen Dong.
Maybe someone at ESA has some more.
And a capture of the SZ-11 patch from Chen Dong's shoulder on a CCTV image
http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html
It's seems clear (to me) that Chinese Space Authorities design the patch, with no taikonaut input, and doesn't matter who should fly the mission.
Someone knows the translation of the chinese characters in the patch?
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And a capture of the SZ-11 patch from Chen Dong's shoulder on a CCTV image
http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html
It's seems clear (to me) that Chinese Space Authorities design the patch, with no taikonaut input, and doesn't matter who should fly the mission.
Someone knows the translation of the chinese characters in the patch?
TG-2/SZ-11 manned flight mission.
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CCTV report on Shenzhou-11 live now
https://youtu.be/wuzZYzSoEEU
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The Center
Status Fueling complete
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permission...
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Permission granted:
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major sendoff
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Amazing crowds.
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Crew transfer van continuing on its way to the launch pad led by a police escort.
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Repeating this link from a couple pages back for anyone looking for a live video stream of this event. Live coverage is continuing at this time.
Live in Chinese and English on CCTV-4 now
http://tv.cctv.com/live/cctvamerica/
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CCTV is on channel 30.3 over-the-air television in the DC area 8), part of the Mhz-family channels. Enjoy!
This parade to the pad is wild...
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CCTV report on Shenzhou-11 live now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuzZYzSoEEU
Anyone got a better youtube stream (not the Chinese one Chris linked). This is laggy as hell.
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L-2 hours, 30 minutes.
The crew transfer van will soon arrive on the pad surface. After that, Haipeng and Dong will enter the elevator that will take them to the crew service platform for eventual capsule ingress.
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The Shenzhou 11 crew members have now arrived at the SLS-1 pad.
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at launch site
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Haipeng and Dong now exiting the crew transfer van.
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After a short word with military personnel, Haipeng and Dong have entered the Fixed Umbilical Tower elevator.
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in the lift
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this stream seems to be working better so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nv-hAR5o-I
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At the present time, no weather or technical issues are being reported. Launch is still scheduled for 23:30 UTC (7:30 AM China Standard Time).
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It looks like the crew transfer van and police escort have left the pad.
-
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Haipeng and Dong have arrived at the crew service platform, about to ingress Shenzhou 11.
Haipeng, as Commander, will enter first. Dong, as Flight Engineer, will be the last to enter.
-
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Once the taikonauts are fully strapped into their seats, they'll make communications checks with the Mission Control Center in Dongfeng.
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Preparing to enter SZ-11.
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Chen Dong entering SZ-11
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in they go...
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Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong now climbing into the capsule.
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Jing Haipeng entering SZ-11.
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Filling out some checklists before getting strapped in.
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Jing Haipeng waiting in the orbital module while Chen Dong to prepare SZ-11 for launch.
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The countdown is currently at L-2 hours, 10 minutes and counting.
Chen Dong was actually the first to enter the capsule. Jing Haipeng will follow behind him.
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confused....see 3 seats ....looks like supples into on of them
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Jing Haipeng now in the descent module.
Should've removed the third seat beforehand since this is a two-person crew.
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Both taikonauts inside the return module.
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Closeout crew continuing to assist Haipeng and Dong during the ingress process.
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Technicians have already cleaned the white room in preparation for launch. Both taikonauts are inside SZ-11.
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Not much to report at this time.
Ingress and closeout going smoothly.
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confused....see 3 seats ....looks like supples into on of them
Yes, but it looks like it is only the seat shell, without lining.
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Crew access hatch to the return module is now closed.
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Shenzhou 11 has a 3rd seat!
-
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Descent module hatch has been closed.
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I thought that it was interesting that reference was made earlier to the Chinese doing bed-rest experiments of 1-2 years in preparation of long-duration space missions.
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Jing Haipeng preparing the button pointer, one being similar to what they use on the Soyuz.
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Crew now strapping themselves into their seats.
Consists of four chest belts and two knee pads per crew member.
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Taikonauts getting into position on their seats.
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T-2h for launch...
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Less than two hours to launch.
Countdown continuing with no problems thus far.
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Crew now getting their gloves out of their ankle pockets and will soon secure them to their suit arms.
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Gloves on...
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The only thing left for the crew members is their helmet visors, which they will close at T-4 minutes.
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Standing by for the fairing hatch to be closed.
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Some sort of countdown is going on in the background. For what?
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Looks like a functional seat
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Doing pressure tests on the pressurized space suits.
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The crew closed their visors early to perform pressure tests on their Launch and Entry suits.
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Suit pressure tests satisfactory. Crew opening their visors again.
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CCTV showing flashback to crew conversation with military personnel behind a Plexiglas wall.
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Haipeng and Dong have arrived at the crew service platform, about to ingress Shenzhou 11.
Haipeng, as Commander, will enter first. Dong, as Flight Engineer, will be the last to enter.
The commander (both in Shenzhou and Soyuz) always enters last because his seat it's in the center position, just under the DM hatch..
For the same reason, is the first being extracted on landing.
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Showing flashback to crew entering crew transfer van.
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Shouldn't be the pilot on the left couch (left as per the commander's perspective) ?
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At the present time, the Long March 2F/G rocket is fully fueled with dinitrogen tetroxide as an oxidizer and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine as the main fuel.
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Shouldn't be the pilot on the left couch (left as per the commander's perspective) ?
Only on Soyuz. It's reversed on Shenzhou.
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CCTV showing flashback to when the Shenzhou 11 crew were training for this upcoming mission.
Includes interviews with Haipeng and Dong.
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We're at L-92 minutes and continuing to edge closer towards an eventual T0 at 23:30 UTC.
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Getting video from the Shenzhou 11 capsule again.
Crew completing final prelaunch checklists.
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Another interview and training flashback.
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CCTV officially taking a commercial break.
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Overall, this will mark the 13th launch of a Long March 2F rocket, but only the 4th for the 2F/G variant.
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At the time of launch, it will be two minutes before sunrise, which makes this a day launch.
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Closeout crew still completing their checklists before closing the fairing hatch.
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Talking about new suits.
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Talking about the space food.
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Food container. From 2013?
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Cutaway.
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Will listen to Chinese national anthems and music.
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View inside the Dongfeng Mission Control Center.
The way they launch rockets along with other Chinese Satellite Launch Centers is similar to the Delta II and the early launch vehicles beforehand:
The Launch Conductor pushes a red button to ignite the engines.
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Shenzhou-11 patch artwork:
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Talking about the reasons for exploring space.
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L-70 minutes. The Shenzhou 11 crew members are strapped into their seats in anticipation of this evening's launch and the closeout crew is beginning to wrap up their procedures in the White Room.
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I forgot to mention:
The quad-videoboard shows two cameras in the White Room, one camera in the Orbital Module, and one camera in the Descent Module.
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Showing previous missions.
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Talking about CZ-2F launch vehicle.
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It looks like the Orbital Module hatch is closed.
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CZ-2F one of the safest vehicles in China.
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Some work at the fairing.
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The other expert.
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There's a camera looking at the Launch Abort System's tower and the upper service platforms.
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View of the LES.
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L-60 minutes and counting.
Now inside the final hour before the only manned launch to the Tiangong 2 space station.
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One hour for launch!
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The events before crew ingress are being played again.
We can see the quad-videoboard as well.
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Final cleaning of the white room...
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Fairing door still not closed.
-
1 hr. to go
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The fairing hatch should be closed momentarily.
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Closing the hatch.
-
Hatch is closed.
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Fairing hatch is now closed.
The closeout crew now beginning to clear the launch area.
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Crew performing safety checks.
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Safety checks now being performed by Haipeng and Dong.
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55 minutes for launch...
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Another view inside the Dongfeng Mission Control Center. This time, it's a news reporter providing information.
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T-55 minutes. Talking about the 3-step plan.
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The third step is the modular space station.
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Talking about SLS!
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Again, weather and technology are not violating any of the Launch Criteria.
Everything remains GO.
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Talking about Ariane 6.
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Talking about CZ-5.
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Standing by for the lower service platforms to retract in less than 5 minutes.
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Talking about CZ-8 with 100 t capability. Will have technology by 2019.
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Is bigger better?
Yes! Needed for exploration. Talking about SLS with 130 t payload. Crucial for interplanetary missions.
-
Checking base of vehicle.
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L-45 minutes. The two lower service platforms now retracting. The upper two platforms will retract in about 18 minutes.
-
45 minutes to launch...
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CZ-2F has 9 t to orbit. CZ-7 has 13 t and CZ-5 20 t to LEO.
-
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T-45 minutes.
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Haipeng and Dong continuing to prep the Shenzhou capsule for launch. There are tons of small tasks to perform before the "Ignition" button is pushed.
-
Current cost is $20,000/kg. Ariane 6 aims at $6,200/kg.
-
A short mention of SpaceX and commercialisation of space.
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40 minutes for launch...
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Mentioned Blue Arrow. I think he meant Blue Origin.
-
Talking about Shuttle retirement and Commercial Crew program.
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Interorbital Systems!
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With proper funding could be ready before others.
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L-37 minutes. The lower service platforms are fully retracted.
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Talking about SpaceX ITS and their current problems.
-
35 minutes for launch...
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T-35 minutes.
-
Lower sections of the service tower are now retracted.
-
With half the service platforms retracted, we can see the Ground Support Equipment swing arms, which supply the Long March rocket with ground electricity and launch propellant.
These swing arms should retract at the T-45 second point.
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Showing China's first satellite launch.
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CZ-1 designer.
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Mentioned Blue Arrow. I think he meant Blue Origin.
No, it's a name of LandSpace Tech's (http://www.landspacetech.com/) Chinese commercial rocket, otherwise known as LS-1.
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L-30 minutes.
Entering the final half-hour before the planned T0 at 23:30 UTC.
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T-30 minutes. Showing CCTV promo.
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Crew reporting for duty.
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L-27 minutes. The two upper service platforms are beginning to retract as our countdown continues.
-
Reporters around China.
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Weather is good. 6 C, no clouds, a little windy.
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L-25 minutes.
About 10 minutes before the Terminal Count begins as part of the "Auto Sequence Start" procedure.
-
TG-2 in 393 km orbit waiting for SZ-11. Same height for future Space Station.
-
T-25 minutes.
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It should be a beautiful launch given the lighting conditions at T0.
-
TG-2 experiments.
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L-23 minutes. The upper service platforms have fully retracted and the Long March 2F/G rocket is completely exposed.
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Growing plants in space.
-
Will grow bromine? lettuce. 30 day life cycle. Will be used for food this time.
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L-20 minutes. Not much to report at this time as all mission aspects remain favorable.
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Talking about gassification of coal.
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T-20 minutes. Used aerospace technology for plant.
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There will be three 2nd stage onboard cameras during the launch.
One looking at the first stage and boosters, one looking at the 2nd stage engine and verniers, and one looking at the Shenzhou spacecraft inside the fairing.
-
Will grow bromine? lettuce. 30 day life cycle. Will be used for food this time.
Romaine lettuce
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Talking about growing lettuce on TG-2. Mention of growing potatoes in The Martian.
-
T-15 minutes. We have a go for auto sequence start.
The Launch Abort System has been armed for flight; it can be used to pull Shenzhou 11 from the Long March 2F/G rocket within the first two minutes of flight should an emergency occur.
-
Crew waiting for liftoff.
-
T-15 minutes.
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T-13 minutes. Haipeng and Dong wrapping up their prelaunch checklists.
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Now reporting T-15 minutes.
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T-11 minutes. Again, this will mark the first Chinese manned spaceflight in over three years.
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Vehicle on the pad.
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I think the clock has been reset to T-15 minutes.
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Ten minutes for launch...
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T-9 minutes. At liftoff, the Long March 2F/G will produce 1,331,588 pounds of thrust.
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T-10 mins.
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T-10 minutes.
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Is there a countdown recycle going on? Not sure if Steven's right.
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Launch time 07:30:28 Beijing time.
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Launch at 23:30:28 UTC.
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T-6 minutes. Final comm check being performed between Mission Control and Shenzhou 11.
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T-7 minutes.
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5 minutes for launch... All is ready for the sixth Chinese manned space mission.
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T-6 minutes.
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T-4 minutes and counting.
All crew members, close and lock your visors, initiate O2 flow, and on behalf of the NASA Spaceflight Forum and all of the nation of China, we wish you good luck and Godspeed.
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T-5 minutes.
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T-0 is set for 23:30:28 UTC.
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T-3 minutes.
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Now its T-5 minutes. Wish they would show a countdown clock.
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Visors on the helmets closed.
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T-2 minutes. The first and second stages now being pressurized for launch.
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T-4 minutes.
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T-90 seconds. Standing by for GSE swing arm retraction.
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Chinese big wigs are watching.
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T-60 seconds and counting.
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T-3 minutes.
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T-45 seconds. The GSE swing arms now retracting away from the Long March 2F/G. The three iconic beeps now being sounded in the Mission Control Center.
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60 seconds...
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T-30 seconds. Still counting at this time.
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T-2 minutes.
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T-20 seconds. Launch vehicle is secure at flight pressures. 15 seconds.
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T-1 minute.
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T-45 seconds. The GSE swing arms now retracting away from the Long March 2F/G. The three iconic beeps now being sounded in the Mission Control Center.
What do they do with umbilicals in case of a scrub?
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10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, we have go for engine start, we have ignition, and we have liftoff of the Long March 2F/G rocket with Shenzhou 11, beginning China's sixth manned spaceflight while continuing the experiments for long-term living in space.
T+12 seconds. Long March has cleared the tower. Good thrust on all four boosters and the first stage.
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Liftoff!
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T+25 seconds. Pitch, roll, and yaw maneuvers have started to put Long March on a east-southeast azimuth of 102.45 degrees.
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T+40 seconds. Radar tracking is nominal thus far.
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T+1 minute. Mach 1. Long March passing 343.5 meters per second.
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Liftoff time 23:30:31.409 UTC.
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LAUNCH!!
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T+1 minute.
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T+1 minute, 14 seconds. Max-Q. Launch vehicle has experienced maximum aerodynamic pressure in the lower atmosphere.
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T+1 minute, 39 seconds. Getting an amazing picture from an onboard camera mounted on the second stage looking at the boosters and first stage. There are two other cameras looking at the second stage engine and the Shenzhou 11 spacecraft respectively.
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launch
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T+2 minutes. We have Launch Abort System jettison.
Coming up on booster shutdown and separation. The four strap-ons will burn until 153.9 seconds; they'll be separated four seconds after shutdown. The first stage will burn until 160.8 seconds; just before shutdown, the second stage engine and verniers will ignite and separate the first stage using a "hot-fire" method.
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T+2 minutes.
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T+2 minutes, 34 seconds. Booster separation confirmed. And we have MECO on schedule.
First stage separation confirmed. Second stage ignition. This burn will last for 5 minutes; that's for the main second stage engine. The verniers will burn for another minute and 55 seconds after SECO to ensure proper orbit insertion.
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Staging.
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T+3 minutes. Second stage engine and verniers continue to burn well. Coming up on fairing separation.
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Booster separation.
T+3 minutes.
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sep
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T+3 minutes, 30 seconds. Fairing separation confirmed. The Shenzhou 11 crew members can now see the limb of the Earth.
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T+4 minutes. Fairing separation.
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T+4 minutes, 20 seconds. Second stage tanks stable.
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T+5 minutes.
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Commentators don't know this isn't the first stage ;)
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T+5 minutes, 20 seconds. Telemetry still strong at this point. Radar tracking is also healthy.
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T+6 minutes.
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T+6 minutes, 19 seconds. About three minutes of powered flight remaining.
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T+7 minutes. Looks like the crew is enjoying the ride.
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T+7 minutes.
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T+7 minute, 40 seconds. SECO confirmed. The verniers are still burning.
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T+8 minutes.
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T+8 minutes, 30 seconds. One minute of powered flight left. 8 seconds after Vernier Engine Cutoff, Shenzhou 11 will separate from the second stage.
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solar panel
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T+9 minutes.
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T+9 minutes, 12 seconds. Standing by for VECO in about 20 seconds.
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T+9 minutes, 36 seconds. VECO confirmed.
And we have spacecraft separation. Both breakwires indicate a nominal sep. Next major event will be solar panel deployment in about 3 minutes.
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Spacecraft separation!
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S/C Sep!
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In orbit.
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T+10 minutes, 40 seconds. Shenzhou 11 crew members are now in zero gravity.
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Fantastic exterior view.
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T+11 minutes, 30 seconds. Second stage camera shows that a valve on the stage opened, putting the stage in a tumble.
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Solar panels deployed!
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T+12 minutes, 18 seconds. Solar panel deployment has started. These panels have a total surface area of 24.48 square meters and provide 1000 watts of power to Shenzhou 11.
This offically marks the end of a nominal ascent to Low Earth Orbit. Congrats to the China National Space Administration on an awesome launch. We hope to see the crew back on the ground in about 33 days.
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Solar arrays deployed!
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Arrays!
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The solemn ground crew.
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Crew doing fine.
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14 minutes Mission Elapsed Time. On-orbit operations officially beginning.
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Launch campaign highlights video playing.
Congratulations on the successful launch to all our peaceful Chinese friends and engineeers!
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As the mission passes T+15 minutes, I will end my play-by-coverage here.
Showing launch replays at this time.
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Showing the gantry retracting that we didn't get to see before.
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Launch replays.
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Congratulations on a beautiful launch.
God speed...
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Thanks for the coverage,specially Steven Pietrobon y ZachS05.
And greetings to he Shenzhou 11 backup crew! ;)
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Congratulations
anyone know the docking schedule?
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Congratulations to all concerned and a safe journey to the station.
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Speeches. Reporting a successful launch!
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Spectacular launch! The people of China can be justifiably proud.
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Reading congratulatory message.
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Thank you all for the excellent coverage. It was even better (and earlier) than the live stream I was watching concurrently.
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Great work Steven, Rui and Zach...and all! Rui's article updated:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/10/chinese-duo-launch-shenzhou-11/
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Closing speech.
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A very successful mission.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jhx4J2j_kw
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Congratulations
anyone know the docking schedule?
Docking in two days, October 18.
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Talking about Chang'e 5, 4 and L2 mission. More Lunar missions are being planned. Central government has approved Mars mission.
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John Zarralla from CCTV US office talking about launch.
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Virtually no coverage in the US of launch.
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Pre-launch coverage.
-
Virtually no coverage in the US of launch.
We're a little preoccupied with the meltdown of our political system.
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The three space faring nations heading in different directions.
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NASA rarely uses the Moon and Mars in the same sentence.
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Russia eyeing a 2030 Lunar landing.
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US Congress forbids China from ISS cooperation so they have been going alone, very nicely.
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Talking about Chinese Lunar mission.
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Talked a little about SpaceX and their Mars ambitions and current problems.
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Bolden talking about US/China space collaboration in 2014.
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The three CCTV America studio journalists/commentators are speaking to Professor John Horack, Neil Armstrong Chairman in Aerospace Policy, Ohio State University.
Edited
-
Does anyone have the initial orbital parameters?
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Franklin Chang-Diaz talking about using NBL.
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Launch time: 23:30:31.409UTC
Launch images...
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Not sure what is going on here!
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Congratulations to the Chinese for the successful Shenzhou launch!
The launch replays were a nice touch, looks like they learned a few things from NASA TV.
Question: why 2 astronauts and not 3?
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World's largest radio telescope. 500 m in diameter.
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Question: why 2 astronauts and not 3?
Limiting the crew to two allowed for the extended 30-day mission on Tiangong-2.
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Back to Beijing.
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Would be happy to see Chinese astronaut standing on the surface of the Moon.
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Congratulations to the People's Liberation Army on another truly great success. Next stop, the Moon? Questions: Why is Europe prioritising the Moon over Mars colonies? Why is Paul Spudis screaming from the bleachers for NASA to do the same? Europe is awake. But is the West awake?
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Screenshot of flightradar showing a very visible no fly zone.
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Not sure what is going on here!
My semi-educated guess: emergency medical technician training.
It looks like the one is preparing to apply a bandage to the other's exposed arm?
And, the mannequin on the floor looks like a "resusci-Annie" for CPR training.
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Thanks all very much for the coverage. On vaca in NZ, glad I could tune in to NSF!
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Some closing shots from the broadcast. The Taikonauts saluted just before liftoff!
Congratulations to China for the successful launch!
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Congratulations to China for the successful launch!
Congrats as well ! I hope they keep the channels open and keep everyone informed about whats going on with the spacecraft and the mission over the next coming weeks
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Congratulations to the People's Liberation Army on another truly great success. Next stop, the Moon? Questions: Why is Europe prioritising the Moon over Mars colonies? Why is Paul Spudis screaming from the bleachers for NASA to do the same? Europe is awake. But is the West awake?
Wrong thread for this. This thread is about the launch....
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For those waiting for better photos of the launch, here they are from the Xinhua News Agency:
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Retrieval of the lower section of the fairing, from ChinaSpaceFlight's Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight (https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight)
Note the -open- grid fins on the upper right picture. I think you can see the ingress hatch in the lower right image.
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Also from the above source, start of barbecue roll was confirmed in view of the Marrakesh ground station (didn't know there was one there!).
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Nearly ten hours after launch and no TLEs yet.
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Congratulations to China on a successful human spaceflight launch! Also thanks to those who covered it here.
Virtually no coverage in the US of launch.
Simon Denyer, The Washington Post’s bureau chief in China, reported on it (published online, at least):
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/china-launches-longest-manned-space-mission-aims-to-explore-more-deeply-and-more-broadly/2016/10/16/1ce33f6a-8d45-4b45-94b6-8e817ce714f7_story.html
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Little late, but let me add my congrats to the teams involved with this successful launch. On to a successful stay on orbit/mission. Thanks to NSF for the coverage.
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Do we have a good time for the expected docking? (Per coverage requirements).
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Do we have a good time for the expected docking? (Per coverage requirements).
No idea, but for Shenzhou 8/9/10 all 3 missions dock with TG-1 about 43.5 hours after launch.
If this is repeated again then docking would be at around 19:00 UTC on the 18th.
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Nearly ten hours after launch and no TLEs yet.
NORAD 41812 apparently. https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/788088392160509952
Shenzhou 11 currently about 3700 km behind Tiangong 2 and gaining by 200 km/hr in its slightly lower orbit
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I am sure that a planned docking time of 19:40 UT was posted on this thread or the Tiangong 2 thread about a week or so ago.
Have the Chinese given any times of the orbital manoeuvres? We got the full manoeuvre details for SZ 8 and 9 but not for 10, presumably because the Chinese didn't want to repeat the same details for every mission.
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Cute comic about TG-2's upcoming marriage with SZ-11 https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/788288361253445632
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Do we have a good time for the expected docking? (Per coverage requirements).
No idea, but for Shenzhou 8/9/10 all 3 missions dock with TG-1 about 43.5 hours after launch.
If this is repeated again then docking would be at around 19:00 UTC on the 18th.
It seems that docking will occur ~19:30 UTC today (claimed to be from a CCTV report and in line with previous estimates). There are reports that CCTV will cover it live from 19:00 UTC up to hatch opening scheduled around 22:00 UTC.
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China Space Report is saying that the docking will take place at 21:00UTC.
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Hopefully the chinese commentators will explain in detail the hardware to be used in SZ-11 rendezvous and docking...
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China Space Report is saying that the docking will take place at 21:00UTC.
I have asked on Twitter - this claim is from Weibo so....
......in any case it has been confirmed that live coverage will be from 19:00 UTC onwards. ;)
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Here we go!!!
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Reviewing the launch of Tiangong-2 and Shenzhou-11...
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Chinese previous dockings...
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...and also looking back to historical dockings by USSR and USA.
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Panel commentator..
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Second commentator...
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Impossible lag on the CCTV live stream (youtube). Is there a website version in English?
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Here it is!
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In view...
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120 meters away
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Ah, this link is much better:
http://english.cctv.com/live/index.shtml
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SZ-11 is now approaching to TG-2. It will stop at a distance of 30 meters.
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Tiangong-2 in view.
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Approaching 30 meters from TG-2.
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And now at 30 meters from TG-2.
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SZ-11 is stationary in relation to TG-2.
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Nice graphics showing thruster firings to hold at 30 meters.
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TG-2 seen from SZ-11.
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Final approach initiated...
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Soft docking at 19:24UTC
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Nicely done!
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Docking retracting...
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-
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rendering
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Hard docking (?) at 19:28UTC (?)
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Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong inside SZ-11.
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"To meet the requirements of dock mission, Shanghai Observatory successfully designed laser retro-reflectors with the FOV up to 90×105 deg and the min. Reflective area over 100cm2 at the distance of more than 20km. The key roles have been played for the applications of lidar measuring system in the docking mission of TG-1 spacecraft. The future docking missions in China will still adopt the same technique with the laser retro-reflector."
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Congrats to the Chinese for the successful docking! Thanks again for the coverage NSF.
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Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong still on their couches inside SZ-11.
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"During the process of spacecrafts docking, the distance between two spacecrafts accurately measured is one of the key steps. The lidar is a method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, distance, velocity by measuring pulsed laser light reflected from the objects with characteristics of narrow beam, high resolution, small size, light weight and high accuracy. The lidar system is made up of laser transmitter, receiver and retro-reflector."
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Solar panels are again tracking the Sun.
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As far as I remember, CCTV is using this music for the Chinese manned space missions.
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Solar panels are again tracking the Sun.
Don't think so -- they are still in shadow. Obviously a repeat.
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More views!
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Rui's article:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/10/shenzhou-11-docks-tiangong-2-latest-chinese-space-station-mission/
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I have noted throughout the Chinese commentary that they talk about *five* previous orbital dockings, although Shenzhous 8, 9 and 10 each performed two dockings. I assume that they are talking about only automatic dockings - plus one manual docking.
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Looks like the pressure between the two vehicles is stabilized.
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As far as I remember, CCTV is using this music for the Chinese manned space missions.
Positive Outlook by Diavid Hoffner.
They use this music for all of the space launch with great significance.
(Lunar Exploration Project, Manned spaceflight, launch of new generation rocket etc.)
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Still looking at around 22:00 UTC for ingress?
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Excellent coverage--thanks Rui and NSF--and congrats to the SZ11 and TG2 team(s) for the success!
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At this time the two taikonauts are still in the process of changing from the launch and entry suits to the more comfortable blue working suits.
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CCTV correspondent at mission control reports the subsatellite to photograph the S11-TG2 complex will be released in four day's time.
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CCTV correspondent at mission control reports the subsatellite to photograph the S11-TG2 complex will be released in four day's time.
... and it is planned to fly in about 1 km distance of the SZ-11/TG-2 complex.
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Jing Haipeng with the blue working suit.
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External camera on SZ-11 and internal camera on TG-2.
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One of the three hatches was already open between SZ-11 and TG-2.
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The second hatch can now be open.
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One of the three hatches was already open between SZ-11 and TG-2.
This is actually the hatch between the SZ-11 command and orbital modules.
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Jing Haipeng in the orbital module of SZ-11.
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Chen Dong at the return module and Jing Haipeng on the orbital module of SZ-11.
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Both crew members on the orbital module.
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Preparing to enter in TG-2.
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Here we go!
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Chen Dong is filming Jing Haipeng opening the hatch.
-
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It appears that the orbital module is really jammed with cargo.
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SZ-11 hatch into the corridor to TG-1 is open.
-
-
-
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Looks like Jing Haipeng is covering the SZ-11 hatch with a blue protection cover.
-
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Chen Dong is back on the return module, while Jing Haipeng is on the orbital module.
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Preparing a ventilation duct between SZ-11 and TG-2.
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Looking outside...
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Orbiting above the Pacific.
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Still on SZ-11 orbital module...
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Chen Dong on the orbital module of SZ-11 (we can see Jing Haipeng legs on the left).
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Looks like Jing Haipeng is now opening the hatch to TG-1.
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Image from the inside of TG-2.
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Jing Haipeng looking to the inside of TG-2.
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Waiting to enter TG-2.
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Preparing to ingress on TG-2.
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How are they maintaining such continuous TV? They are over the South Atlantic, but still two video feeds.
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Ready to open the hatch...
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Hatch open at 22:25UTC.
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Nice wave! :)
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Jing Haipeng inside TG-2 at 22:27UTC
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Chen Dong on TG-2 at 22:33UTC.
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-
-
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After entering TG-2, Chen Dong returned to SZ-2. The two man have now to prepare TG-2 for a long, 33 day stay.
-
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This long, detailed and intelligent coverage on CCTV reminds me of the 1990s when John Holliman and Miles O'Brien used to host the Shuttle and Shuttle/Mir missions on CNN :) Until today, I never realised how much I miss those days. These days; a 2 or 3 minute soundbite is all you'll get on the mainstream news, with the inevitable almost-sneering "But wouldn't that money be better spent on Earth?" excrement :(
To Chris Bergin and the whole Nasaspaceflight.com team - well done and Ad-Astra...
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Banxing-2 will be released from Tiangong-2 on October 23.
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Can't wait to see the pictures from it!
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What satellite system are they using for such lengthy communications?
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What satellite system are they using for such lengthy communications?
Tianlian.
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Live: Chinese astronauts enter Tiangong-2 space lab from Shenzhou-11 spacecraft
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35B4d_3qCd0
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How are they maintaining such continuous TV? They are over the South Atlantic, but still two video feeds.
Plus (apart from Tianlian) possibly these for at least the Pacific.
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As far as I remember, CCTV is using this music for the Chinese manned space missions.
Positive Outlook by Diavid Hoffner.
They use this music for all of the space launch with great significance.
(Lunar Exploration Project, Manned spaceflight, launch of new generation rocket etc.)
This theme was reminding me of some other piece of music.
I finally figured it out--it reminds me of the "MST3000 Love Theme" played for the end credits of "Mystery Science Theater 3000."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Olt4BVB4zY
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Anybody see any signs of EVA suits?
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No Feitians or Orlans yet.
-
Anybody see any signs of EVA suits?
No planned EVAs, right? Are you thinking of contingency scenarios?
-
Silkworm experiments commence on Tiangong-2 (http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/1020/c90000-9130365.html).
Spotlight: Astronaut reveals life in space (http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/1019/c90000-9129826.html).
Astronaut's space diary describes work schedule as 'pretty tight' (http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/1020/c90000-9130242.html).
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From Xinhua's tweet https://twitter.com/XHNews/status/788969244859834368 , Haipeng playing with a free silkworm:
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Here's the "ergometer" that actually looks more like some rollers with a cinch-down mechanism. You can see in the video it's not really super to exercise on :o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oExZvKNeYIY
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Anybody see any signs of EVA suits?
No planned EVAs, right? Are you thinking of contingency scenarios?
Just thinking about mission options. One suit probably weighs as much as the crew's entire food supply so it may have been too high a price to pay.
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The docked Shenzhou-Tiangong combination as seen from Earth.
Source: http://spaceweathergallery.com/indiv_upload.php?upload_id=130204&PHPSESSID=e7clhu3h42muhpsa6rdac4adv1
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Astronaut's first diary from space: forget all about rice and noodle after they are heated (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/20/c_135767087.htm).
Space Journal: Entry 2 -- I haven't seen aliens, or got space sickness (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/22/c_135772707.htm).
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The BX-2 satellite attached to TG-2 was released yesterday 23:31 UTC: http://news.xinhuanet.com/2016-10/23/c_1119770212.htm (http://news.xinhuanet.com/2016-10/23/c_1119770212.htm)
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The BX-2 satellite attached to TG-2 was released yesterday 23:31 UTC: http://news.xinhuanet.com/2016-10/23/c_1119770212.htm (http://news.xinhuanet.com/2016-10/23/c_1119770212.htm)
So far only a blurry photo has been released (via a CCTV news report):
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Some more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBYlP8DjNsI
Reports are that the satellite will orbit close to the SZ-11/TG-2 complex towards the end of October and make hi-res close-up images.
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When I checked a couple of hours ago there were no TLEs for BX 2.
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When I checked a couple of hours ago there were no TLEs for BX 2.
They are online now:
41765 376km x 387km x 42.79deg 92.18min Tiangong-2
41834 376km x 386km x 42.79deg 92.18min BX-2
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Today is Jing Haipeng's 50th birthday! Happy birthday!!!!!
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An additional image from BX-2: https://chinaspaceflight.com/usr/uploads/2016/10/24/1477307907356328.jpg
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BTW, all the pictures were actually taken in infrared, hence the blurriness. ;)
Here's a GIF of the whole process as shown on CCTV: https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/790531853044191232 (https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/790531853044191232)
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The Shenzhou-11 taikonauts are featured on newly issued Chinese stamps.
See: http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-102416a-shenzhou11-tiangong2-postage-stamps.html
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Here comes the visible light photos:
(images via CCTV)
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Children send birthday wishes to astronaut Jing Haipeng in space (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/25/c_135777873.htm).
-
Banxing-2 has been nicknamed "selfie stick" by Chinese officials.
http://www.universetoday.com/131647/new-selfie-microsatellite-captures-images-chinese-space-station/
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Space Journal: Entry 3: I wear a special space suit (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/27/c_135785263.htm).
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Chinese scientists decode technology on Tiangong-2 (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/27/c_135785682.htm).
-
Update on the silk worm experiment, and POLAR.
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2016-10/27/content_39581964.htm
http://english.cctv.com/2016/10/26/ARTICKD9kIedMiVn0B9ClWwS161026.shtml
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Great new view of the TG-2/SZ-11 complex at http://p2.cri.cn/M00/89/BF/CqgNOlgXDqyAZSFjAAAAAAAAAAA689.900x900.jpg
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What does surprise me is that BX-2 provides 'visible light' images only in black&white. For future inspection duties, such a satellite wold surely need to take colour images? Also, I imagine the PR impact would have been far bigger, had we seen the spacecraft against a bright blue background...
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What does surprise me is that BX-2 provides 'visible light' images only in black&white. For future inspection duties, such a satellite wold surely need to take colour images? Also, I imagine the PR impact would have been far bigger, had we seen the spacecraft against a bright blue background...
Given that it is b&w images, a blue background would be a medium-to-dark gray essentially. That is not a great background for the station and the spacecraft. IMO they did the right thing with this b&w image and released one with a white(ish) cloudy background. Makes the complex stand out much better.
-
Space Journal: Entry 4 - I found two 'arteries' in my neck (http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1014953.shtml).
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Worldwide "curious babies" pose questions to astronauts of Shenzhou-11 (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2016-11/03/c_135803096.htm).
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Space Journal: Entry 5 -- There is plenty of food in space (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/05/c_135808325.htm).
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Info about experiments designed by Hong Kong school kids
http://english.cctv.com/2016/11/05/VIDEmxulEXO7fYT2Fm5EcaWz161105.shtml
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The taikonuats sent their best wishes to the Zhutai air show on Nov 1
http://english.cctv.com/2016/11/02/VIDE2pRbsgVawPBCNPkdW3yO161102.shtml
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A new space journal edition; this one with info about the space exercising gear.
http://english.cctv.com/2016/11/08/ARTIZ6ZmXoFWeeEsPLTtWKOE161108.shtml
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President Xi talks with astronauts in space lab (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/09/c_135817425.htm).
-
Video of president Xi JinPing's call to the taikonauts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYMRwALDAFI
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Longer video in Chinese language only, but the call between the president and taikonauts is translated via subtitles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1-Hp4NOIz0
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Update on the silkworm experiment
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2016-11/11/content_39682497.htm
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According to ChinaSpaceflight (https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html), landing of Shenzhou-11 is planned on Nov. 18th.
神舟十一号飞船将于11月18日返回地球。
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According to ChinaSpaceflight (https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html), landing of Shenzhou-11 is planned on Nov. 18th.
神舟十一号飞船将于11月18日返回地球。
For the originally-announced 33 days duration the landing should be on the 19th: undocking should be on the 18th.
So either the report has confused undocking and landing or the mission is being curtailed a day earlier than originally planned. Also a landing on the 18th doesn't make sense from considering the repeating orbit pattern.
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According to ChinaSpaceflight (https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html), landing of Shenzhou-11 is planned on Nov. 18th.
神舟十一号飞船将于11月18日返回地球。
For the originally-announced 33 days duration the landing should be on the 19th: undocking should be on the 18th.
So either the report has confused undocking and landing or the mission is being curtailed a day earlier than originally planned. Also a landing on the 18th doesn't make sense from considering the repeating orbit pattern.
I remember that a 32 days mission duration was reported way before it launched..... :P
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According to ChinaSpaceflight (https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html), landing of Shenzhou-11 is planned on Nov. 18th.
神舟十一号飞船将于11月18日返回地球。
For the originally-announced 33 days duration the landing should be on the 19th: undocking should be on the 18th.
So either the report has confused undocking and landing or the mission is being curtailed a day earlier than originally planned. Also a landing on the 18th doesn't make sense from considering the repeating orbit pattern.
I remember that a 32 days mission duration was reported way before it launched..... :P
I don't remember 32 days being mentioned by the Chinese. The first reports were 30 days, but this was the time to be spent on Tiangong 2: 33 days was said by the Chinese to account for nearly two days before docking and then a day in orbit after undocking.
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This is what Cheng Dong wrote in the 6th space journal: "Today is November 7, my 20th day aboard Tiangong-2. Many wonder how brother Jing and I exercise, and how different it feels compared with exercising on Earth. Yesterday, we mainly did cable exercise as strength training. We do it every other day. We have to move some things to the return module before we start our return journey in 15 days time..."
The link below provides some info on the food selection of the taikonauts.
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2016-11/15/content_39707807.htm
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According to ChinaSpaceflight (https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html), landing of Shenzhou-11 is planned on Nov. 18th.
神舟十一号飞船将于11月18日返回地球。
For the originally-announced 33 days duration the landing should be on the 19th: undocking should be on the 18th.
So either the report has confused undocking and landing or the mission is being curtailed a day earlier than originally planned. Also a landing on the 18th doesn't make sense from considering the repeating orbit pattern.
Let's try and nail this down. Cygnus is coming home (well, sorta ;)) around this period too!
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According to ChinaSpaceflight (https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html), landing of Shenzhou-11 is planned on Nov. 18th.
神舟十一号飞船将于11月18日返回地球。
For the originally-announced 33 days duration the landing should be on the 19th: undocking should be on the 18th.
So either the report has confused undocking and landing or the mission is being curtailed a day earlier than originally planned. Also a landing on the 18th doesn't make sense from considering the repeating orbit pattern.
Have you tried to compare that using the newest orbital parameters of TG-2? Maybe the phasing has changed since the mission started?
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https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/798807009063636992
Updated: #Shenzhou11 crew to land Friday Nov 18th between 05:33 - 06:13 universal time (00:33 - 01:13 EST / 13:33 - 14:13 Beijing time).
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https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/798807009063636992
Updated: #Shenzhou11 crew to land Friday Nov 18th between 05:33 - 06:13 universal time (00:33 - 01:13 EST / 13:33 - 14:13 Beijing time).
Air space closure notice:
A2973/16 (Issued for ZBPE ZLHW) - A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY:
N4214E10248-N4025E10310-N4147E11341-N4335E11326 BACK TO START WI
CHINA TERRITORIAL AIR SPACE. VERTICAL LIMITS:GND-UNL. GND - UNL, 18 NOV 05:33
2016 UNTIL 18 NOV 06:13 2016. CREATED: 16 NOV 02:31 2016
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Any indication whether the crew will undock tomorrow (Thursday) and spend a day in orbit aboard Shenzhou 11 or undock and do a return to Earth within a few hours like the Russians do?
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Any indication whether the crew will undock tomorrow (Thursday) and spend a day in orbit aboard Shenzhou 11 or undock and do a return to Earth within a few hours like the Russians do?
I would guess that Shenzhou 11 would undock and land like the Soyuz does.
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Any indication whether the crew will undock tomorrow (Thursday) and spend a day in orbit aboard Shenzhou 11 or undock and do a return to Earth within a few hours like the Russians do?
I would guess that Shenzhou 11 would undock and land like the Soyuz does.
Except that the three missions to Tiangong 1 undocked more that 24 hours before landing ..........
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Any indication whether the crew will undock tomorrow (Thursday) and spend a day in orbit aboard Shenzhou 11 or undock and do a return to Earth within a few hours like the Russians do?
I would guess that Shenzhou 11 would undock and land like the Soyuz does.
Except that the three missions to Tiangong 1 undocked more that 24 hours before landing ..........
If that's so, then Shenzhou 11 might undock in the very early hours of November 17.
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By the way, our host is rebooting the servers at 6am UTC ish on Friday morning. Typical, we thought we had avoided everything ;D
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41626.0
Hopefully only minutes down, but if there's live coverage of the return and it occurs during our downtime, we can screenshot and post when back up.
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Space Journal: Entry 7 -- Chinese farmers in space (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/13/c_135825974.htm).
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Space Journal: Chinese astronauts accept 1st earth-space interview (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/16/c_135835064.htm).
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If that's so, then Shenzhou 11 might undock in the very early hours of November 17.
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/799136976859516928
Shenzhou-11 separated from Tiangong-2 space lab at 04:21 UTC (12:21 Beijing time) today. #shenzhou11 landing Friday after 05:33 UTC
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Shenzhou-11 separated from Tiangong-2 space lab at 04:21 UTC (12:21 Beijing time) today. #shenzhou11 landing Friday after 05:33 UTC
In other news undocking time is 04:41.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/17/c_135837310.htm (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/17/c_135837310.htm)
https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html (https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html)
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Shenzhou-11 separated from Tiangong-2 space lab at 04:21 UTC (12:21 Beijing time) today. #shenzhou11 landing Friday after 05:33 UTC
In other news undocking time is 04:41.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/17/c_135837310.htm (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/17/c_135837310.htm)
https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html (https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html)
Im wonder what the Shenzhou crews are doing that needs them to be in independant flight for a day before recovery. You would think they would want to be back on Earth as soon as possible after undocking.
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Shenzhou-11 separated from Tiangong-2 space lab at 04:21 UTC (12:21 Beijing time) today. #shenzhou11 landing Friday after 05:33 UTC
In other news undocking time is 04:41.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/17/c_135837310.htm (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/17/c_135837310.htm)
https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html (https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html)
Im wonder what the Shenzhou crews are doing that needs them to be in independant flight for a day before recovery. You would think they would want to be back on Earth as soon as possible after undocking.
Well do not forget this is the longest human spaceflight for China to date. 1 month Shenzhou mission maybe implies testing fluids, RCSs, maneuver or others after this much time in space.
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In other news undocking time is 04:41.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/17/c_135837310.htm (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/17/c_135837310.htm)
https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html (https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/manned-spacecraft/SZ11-launch.html)
This make 29dd, 9hh and 17mm of docked time with TG-2.
And with the scheduled landing tomorrow at 05:33 UTC, this will make a total duration of 32dd, 6hh and 2mm for Shenzhou 11 flight, giving a total duration in space for Jing Haipeng of 47dd, 17hh and 55mm
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Are there plans for CCTV 10 to cover the recovery "live", does anyone know?
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Are there plans for CCTV 10 to cover the recovery "live", does anyone know?
From what I have seen landing coverage will start on the Chinese channels from 04:30 UTC onwards - dunno about the English one.
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Planned landing time seems to be 05:53 UTC.
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Just announced live coverage of the recovery starting at 05:00 GMT today on CCTV 10.
http://english.cctv.com/live/index.shtml
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Per reports, spacecraft's orbital module has been depressurized and de-orbit burn will start at 05:11 UTC.
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They are now live. I hope they land before our servers are rebooted! :o
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"They are currently travelling 7,000 km per second" ;)
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Landing site.
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Not even going to screenshot, but their "entry cartoon" was pretty shitty about the depiction of Columbia.
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Not even going to screenshot, but their "entry cartoon" was pretty shitty about the depiction of Columbia.
Very badly thought out. :(
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Module sep.
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Deorbit burn
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We're not really getting any updates from CCTV. This is mainly promo videos.
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But we get the crew capsule sep!
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Propulsion module and return capsule have separated.
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Tracking camera of entry interface!
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Looks like they are through peak heating.
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One of the choppers.
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Chutes!
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Main parachute open!
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stick with utube
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nice shield drop....missed it :o
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Almost out of range of the tracking camera. Waiting for the applause.
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SAR vehicles rushing to the landing site.
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Should be touchdown (note the site may reboot any moment). Will get screenshots and repost if so.
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Still searching for the vehicle (no comms that I can tell).
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SZ-11 is safely on the ground!!!
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SAR crews have found them.
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And we went down as predicted for the server reboot. Looks like it was only five mins and we're back! :)
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Flag's up ;D
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I need to get a bit of sleep, so anyone wants to cover any crew views, that would be great.
Short article to mark the landing:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/11/shenzhou-11-returns-chinese-duo-to-earth/
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Did something went wrong with the landing? Even with the astronauts opening the hatch by themselves they never did show the astronauts coming out (hence the silence here - there was nothing to see) - and only Jing Haipeng spoke some time ago. :-X
It seems that the module landed 100 km off course too.....
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https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/799531113874071552
#shenzhou11 post-landing press conference: Astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong in good condition after landing in Inner Mongolia
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Is the landing time of 05:47 UT confirmed please?
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Is the landing time of 05:47 UT confirmed please?
05:59 UTC per http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2016-11/18/c_129369527.htm
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As of duration of descent, here are the data for the three latest Shenzhou.
Separation time (UTC) -- Landing time (UTC) -- Duration
SZ-09: 14:16 -- 15:03 -- 47 min
SZ-10: 12:21 -- 13:07 -- 46 min
SZ-11: 05:11 -- 05:59 -- 48 min
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As of duration of descent, here are the data for the three latest Shenzhou.
Separation time (UTC) -- Landing time (UTC) -- Duration
SZ-09: 14:16 -- 15:03 -- 47 min
SZ-10: 12:21 -- 13:07 -- 46 min
SZ-11: 05:11 -- 05:59 -- 48 min
Separation of the descent and propulsion modules?
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Did something went wrong with the landing? Even with the astronauts opening the hatch by themselves they never did show the astronauts coming out (hence the silence here - there was nothing to see) - and only Jing Haipeng spoke some time ago. :-X
It seems that the module landed 100 km off course too.....
http://video.sina.com.cn/p/news/c/doc/2016-11-18/171765415309.html
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Based on map at @cnspaceflight
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Some photos of Shenzhou-11 on the ground.
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Based on info at @cnspaceflight
100 km overshoot
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Did something went wrong with the landing? Even with the astronauts opening the hatch by themselves they never did show the astronauts coming out (hence the silence here - there was nothing to see) - and only Jing Haipeng spoke some time ago. :-X
It seems that the module landed 100 km off course too.....
http://video.sina.com.cn/p/news/c/doc/2016-11-18/171765415309.html
Thanks - I guess it was that overshooting that cause the lack of live coverage. I just saw TV report snap shots showing them flown to Beijing and the crew look fine when exiting the plane.
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Extraction of astronauts from the landing capsule: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqPlOaFyTU4
Both seems to be OK.
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So far we do not have the Shenzhou 11 orbital module catalogued.
I wonder if we are having a repeat of the Shenzhou 9 recovery. Then orbital data for the newly-separated orbital module were being issued under the Tiangong 1 designator due to a cataloguing error, while no data were being issued for the real Tiangong 1.
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The exact time of the landing of the descent capsule "Shenzhou-11"
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The exact time of separation from the engine compartment of the descent capsule "Shenzhou-11"
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The exact time of the landing of the descent capsule "Shenzhou-11"
I wonder that the coordinates on your image does not correspond with actual point coordinates. So the question: is it really the landing time? I do not understand Chinese language.
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Is there an exact time for the forward (orbital) module separation please? A couple of minutes before the retro ignition, I expect.
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The exact time of separation from the engine compartment of the descent capsule "Shenzhou-11"
Separation of orbital module.
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The entry into the atmosphere
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Are there photographs/video shorts which show the times of the perigee-raising manoeuvre on October 17 and then apogee-raising and orbit circularisation on the following day, please?
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Taikonauts back in Peking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvIUwPSEowQ
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The exact time of the landing of the descent capsule "Shenzhou-11"
Just calculated the total mission duration now that the actual landing time was revealed:
32 days, 6 hours, 29 minutes, 8 seconds.
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Planting of the descent capsule "Shenzhou-11" may have been tough, not soft! Not all of the powder landing engines worked. Large overload. And perhaps it was a ballistic descent from orbit descent capsule "Shenzhou-11". The deviation of the estimated landing point of more than 100 km.
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Material and plant samples retrieved from space experiments (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/19/c_135842572.htm)
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And perhaps it was a ballistic descent from orbit descent capsule "Shenzhou-11". The deviation of the estimated landing point of more than 100 km
If there was the ballistic descent then there should be an undershoot, not an overshoot.
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And perhaps it was a ballistic descent from orbit descent capsule "Shenzhou-11". The deviation of the estimated landing point of more than 100 km
If there was the ballistic descent then there should be an undershoot, not an overshoot.
under performance on the deorbit burn or delay in burn start or manual deorbit burn are my initial theories.
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Video from the taikonauts on Tian Gong 2 to ESA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXA2jhTPiC4
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The exact time of the landing of the descent capsule "Shenzhou-11"
It seems this is the fourth estimate for landing time/position -- which may be not equal to actual position and time. Moreover, anik says there's 1.7 km distance between this 4th estimate and actual place of landing.
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Video of SZ-11 capsule arriving in Peking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyfsX_r8wN8
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Some landing pics (found by "googling" in Chinese)
source: http://pic.people.com.cn/n1/2016/1121/c1016-28883046-3.html
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Still no sign of the Shenzhou 11 orbital module being catalogued.
Has there been any indication that Tiangong 2 raised its orbit after the Shenzhou 11 undocking? If it did then (as previously indicated) we could well have a repeat of the Tiangong 1/Shenzhou 9 situation where no orbital data were available for Tiangong 1 in its higher orbit for about ten days, while the data for the Shenzhou 9 orbital module were issued under the Tiangong 1 catalogue number.
I has asked Space-Track to raise this issue ...........
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Catalogued now, object 2016-061G/41868.
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Catalogued now, object 2016-061G/41868.
Still no TLEs available for this catalogue number.
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Video of the traditional opening of the Shenzhou-11 capsule
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU01HCUtFlA
Some pics and info here:
http://www.china.org.cn/photos/2016-11/23/content_39766267.htm
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Still no sign of the Shenzhou 11 orbital module being catalogued.
Has there been any indication that Tiangong 2 raised its orbit after the Shenzhou 11 undocking? If it did then (as previously indicated) we could well have a repeat of the Tiangong 1/Shenzhou 9 situation where no orbital data were available for Tiangong 1 in its higher orbit for about ten days, while the data for the Shenzhou 9 orbital module were issued under the Tiangong 1 catalogue number.
I has asked Space-Track to raise this issue ...........
As BX-2 seems to continue maneuver relative to 41765, I believe TG-2 is indeed tracked under this number since the pre-undocking maneuver on Nov 15.
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Chinese astronauts meet the press after space mission
BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The two astronauts who manned China's Shenzhou-11 mission met the press Wednesday following almost three weeks in quarantine.
Jing Haipeng, 50, commander of the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft, and Chen Dong, 38, appeared in good spirits and shared their experiences with the press.
"Today, we fulfilled our commitment to (making the Shenzhou-11 mission a complete success)," Jing said.
Launched on Oct. 17, Shenzhou-11 docked two days later with China's first space lab, Tiangong-2, where the two astronauts lived for 30 days, the longest time a taikonaut has spent in space.
After safely returning to Earth on Nov. 18, the two astronauts were quarantined to help them readapt to life on Earth.
It was the third space mission for Jing, who also participated in the Shenzhou-7 and Shenzhou-9 missions.
"Compared with previous missions, I really enjoyed and experienced weightlessness during this mission as a result of improved technology and working environment," Jing told reporters.
The two astronauts were able to watch TV programs and enjoy delicious food during their stay in space.
"Listening to music and watching TV made us feel good when we ate," Jing said.
It was Chen's first space mission. He said that at the very beginning, he needed restraining devices for every step, but he gradually adapted to the zero gravity environment.
"I began to enjoy the zero gravity environment and learned new moves such as somersaulting and whirling in space," Chen said.
"I would give Chen a mark of 100 out of 100," Jing told the press while commenting on Chen's performance.
According to Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the astronaut system with the Astronaut Center of China, the astronauts' health checks met expectations, although they will continue to be observed for another month to ensure they are completely acclimatized.
The Shenzhou-11 mission is part of China's ambitious plan to build a permanent manned space station.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f8NTVRaIbY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jguLIYePUts
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Xi meets Shenzhou-11 astronauts (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-12/20/c_135920656.htm).
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7rRfRGtcls&feature=youtu.be
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http://pic.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0722/c1016-30162475.html
Amazing initiative: reconstruction of the CZ-2F from Shenzhou-11 from all available retrieved parts of the rocket, in the China Aerospace Museum in Beijing.
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http://pic.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0722/c1016-30162475.html
Amazing initiative: reconstruction of the CZ-2F from Shenzhou-11 from all available retrieved parts of the rocket, in the China Aerospace Museum in Beijing.
Advance apologies for appearing as a negative Nancy, but is this one of the Chinese museums that is closed to foreigners?
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To end on a positive note, that looks like it would be a really cool place to take a behind-the-scenes tour. There's more interesting "junk" on the margins of the photo.
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Only in China :)
https://twitter.com/LaunchStuff/status/1169149900250107906
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Only in China :)
https://twitter.com/LaunchStuff/status/1169149900250107906
Wonder of the waitress in the restaurant will be called Rocket Girls.
https://youtu.be/KuMcwwQX0mI
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Only in China :)
https://twitter.com/LaunchStuff/status/1169149900250107906
To borrow an anonymous quote,
The residual UDMH really adds to the flavor.
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Catalogued now, object 2016-061G/41868.
https://twitter.com/jremis/status/1312481250884550656
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https://twitter.com/jremis/status/1313557311466672131