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#20
by
William Graham
on 14 Apr, 2009 16:08
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Any idea why they're using a 3C and not a 3A? 3A has launched this class of satellite before.
Likely because the 2nd gen. GEO satellite is heavier
You're probably right. For some reason I thought there had already been a second generation GEO launch, but I've checked, and it was an MEO satellite.
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#21
by
Skyrocket
on 14 Apr, 2009 16:25
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Any idea why they're using a 3C and not a 3A? 3A has launched this class of satellite before.
Likely because the 2nd gen. GEO satellite is heavier
You're probably right. For some reason I thought there had already been a second generation GEO launch, but I've checked, and it was an MEO satellite.
Possibly, because the 4th GEO sat was sometimes reported to be a 2nd generation satellite. This one was launched by a CZ-3A, which is now a good indicator, that it was indeed a 1st generation GEO sat.
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#22
by
input~2
on 14 Apr, 2009 17:20
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Possibly, because the 4th GEO sat was sometimes reported to be a 2nd generation satellite. This one was launched by a CZ-3A, which is now a good indicator, that it was indeed a 1st generation GEO sat.
The Chinese media indicate clearly that this will be the second satellite of the new global Beidou-2 constellation, which will ultimately include 35 satellites (5 GEO and 30 MEO). The first MEO was launched in April 2007.
This one is the first GEO.
The navigation satellites launched before April 2007 belong to the regional Beidou-1 test system.
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#23
by
William Graham
on 14 Apr, 2009 17:22
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I would have expected to have heard something by now if it had launched at 16:30 GMT
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#24
by
astropl
on 14 Apr, 2009 17:31
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Liss's right~~~~
according to http://astro.zeto.czest.pl/plan.htm
14.04.2009 około 16:30 z Xichang wystartuje RN CZ-3C, która wyniesie w T+14' na orbitę przejściową do geostacjonarnej pierwszego chińskiego satelitę nawigacyjnego drugiego pokolenia Beidou G-2 (Beidou 2-1, Compass-G2).
It will be launched less than 2 h~~~
I wonder if this is new information or if it was taken from Liss's post on this Nasaspaceflight forum (Chinese launch schedule topic dated 04/12/2009 08:39 PM) ...
It's info from Liss's post, of course.
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#25
by
input~2
on 14 Apr, 2009 18:27
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#26
by
input~2
on 14 Apr, 2009 18:29
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#27
by
William Graham
on 14 Apr, 2009 18:41
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Photos appear to show Area 2
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#28
by
Liss
on 14 Apr, 2009 18:45
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#29
by
Liss
on 14 Apr, 2009 20:13
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Found by the U.S. at GTO inclined at 20.54°. Catalog number 34779.
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#30
by
input~2
on 14 Apr, 2009 22:24
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For the GTO achieved (35850km x 209km x 20.5°), the published maximum capability of CZ-3C is around 3150kg. For comparison, the published maximum GTO capability for CZ-3A is 2600kg.
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#31
by
jan_carlo_bascu
on 15 Apr, 2009 16:29
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Launch Video?
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#32
by
input~2
on 15 Apr, 2009 17:34
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#33
by
avitek
on 15 Apr, 2009 17:50
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#34
by
input~2
on 15 Apr, 2009 19:30
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Yes, the designation of the satellites could be "Compass-(first letter of type of orbit)(number in the launch sequence)"
Concerning the satellite platform, on the CAST website, the Beidou chief designer is quoted as saying earlier that the Compass satellite is "a new satellite, using many new technologies". So the platform is maybe not based on DFH-3...
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#35
by
Liss
on 15 Apr, 2009 20:46
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So the platform is maybe not based on DFH-3...
... but DFH-3A?
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#36
by
Satori
on 16 Apr, 2009 11:36
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Did anyone managed to get the exact launch time? The quality of the launch video I have is not very good.
Thanks.
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#37
by
input~2
on 16 Apr, 2009 16:27
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So the platform is maybe not based on DFH-3...
... but DFH-3A?
DFH-3A P/F has been around for some years. With its 40 to 50% more P/L capability as compared to DFH-3, it could indeed require CZ-3C for GSO launch where CZ-3A was OK for DFH-3....however I wonder if it would qualify for "new satellite".
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#38
by
summit2
on 20 Apr, 2009 21:08
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Boosters return to hearth
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#39
by
eeergo
on 20 Apr, 2009 21:39
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Great images as usual, thanks for them! Still somewhat shocking to see the only spacefaring country that publishes these kind of photos is the one that suppossedly has more censorship! I know most of the others have oceanic downrange areas, but still I think some insight/PR could be gained sending ships once in a while to see how some remains reach the ground/sea.
Peering inside a hydrazine tank doesn't seem very advisable to me, however... :/
