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Chinasat-1A (ZX-1A) XSLC CZ-3B launch September 18, 2011
by
input~2
on 07 Sep, 2011 07:27
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This is a new Chinese military communications satellite, the first one to use the DFH-4 platform.
The launcher is already being assembled at XSLC/ LC-2.
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#1
by
Satori
on 07 Sep, 2011 16:41
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Any idea if this is going to be a FengHuo or a ShenTong communications satellite?
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#2
by
Phillip Clark
on 07 Sep, 2011 18:03
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Any idea if this is going to be a FengHuo or a ShenTong communications satellite?
So far they have both used the DFH-3A platform. Is there a need for them to change?
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#3
by
input~2
on 07 Sep, 2011 18:44
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Any idea if this is going to be a FengHuo or a ShenTong communications satellite?
Well, there already was a new Shentong last November (ZX-20A), and the last Fenghuo (ZX-22A) is already 6 years old, so why not a new enhanced Fenghuo?
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#4
by
input~2
on 13 Sep, 2011 21:00
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Launch could take place from 15 to 18 September (LT)
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#5
by
Satori
on 14 Sep, 2011 08:13
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According to our friends 9ifly Chinese space forum, launch will take place on September 18th.
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#6
by
Satori
on 14 Sep, 2011 08:21
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#7
by
input~2
on 14 Sep, 2011 19:24
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Launch could take place around 1600UTC
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#8
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 16 Sep, 2011 06:25
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The NOTAM for the fairing dropping zone for this launch has been issued:
ZGZU GUANGZHOU ACC
A1377/11 (Issued for ZSHA ZGZU) - A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY
N260808E1142921-N261444E1140013-N255857E1135553-N255223E1142456
BACK TO
START. VERTICAL LIMITS: SFC-UNL.ALL ACFT ARE PROHIBITED TO FLY
INTO THE AREA. SFC - UNL, 18 SEP 16:27 2011 UNTIL 18 SEP 17:03 2011. CREATED:
16 SEP 05:43 2011
Launch time: September 18th, ~16:25 UTCSource
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#9
by
input~2
on 16 Sep, 2011 13:15
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Apparently no NOTAM for the boosters drop zone will be issued for this launch
AFAICT, it would have looked like this:
A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY N272159E1083650-N273125E1074313-N271528E1073946-N270603E1083315 BACK TO START. VERTICAL LIMITS: SFC-UNL.ALL ACFT ARE PROHIBITED TO FLY INTO THE AREA. SFC - UNL, 18 SEP 16:27 2011 UNTIL 18 SEP 16:53 2011.
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#10
by
input~2
on 16 Sep, 2011 15:59
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Launch time: September 18th, ~16:25 UTC
I would say 1635UTC
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#11
by
input~2
on 16 Sep, 2011 20:06
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Any idea if this is going to be a FengHuo or a ShenTong communications satellite?
Well, there already was a new Shentong last November (ZX-20A), and the last Fenghuo (ZX-22A) is already 6 years old, so why not a new enhanced Fenghuo?
It has now been referred to as Fenghuo-2nd generation, or second generation tactical communications satellite, on at least one Chinese forum.
Below a view of the fairing for ZX-1A as compared with the one for Chinasat-10
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#12
by
Satori
on 17 Sep, 2011 16:09
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Less than 24 hours from the launch there is no official launch news announcement. Delay? Military secrecy?
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#13
by
Liss
on 17 Sep, 2011 17:47
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NOTAMed area is still active so I'd think the launch is on schedule and will be announced tomorrow.
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#14
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 08:24
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The launch could be broadcast live on
Liangshan TV (as I already reported in the Paksat-1R thread) however a file to be downloaded to setup the viewer seems suspicious according to virustotal so.. I'll pass it by!
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#15
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 18 Sep, 2011 15:34
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The launch is proceeding nominally right now. Spectators are already arriving at the viewing area for the launch (apparently at 16:33 UTC).
This could be China's most expensive self-developed communication satellite ever launched. (one insider claimed that this satellite costs about twice as much as the civilian ones!)
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#16
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 15:36
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#17
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 15:56
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Another microblogger is mentionning 1633UTC for lift-off
Launch time is 12:33 minutes
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#18
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:05
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Picture taken at about 1557UTC
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#19
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:14
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#20
by
Satori
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:15
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It is amazing how the information is coming out taking into account that this is a military launch!
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#21
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:15
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According to the display, the official launch window is 1633-1718UTC
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#22
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:18
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It is amazing how the information is coming out taking into account that this is a military launch!
Well, we still don't know anything official about the satellite, not even its name
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#23
by
Satori
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:21
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It is amazing how the information is coming out taking into account that this is a military launch!
Well, we still don't know anything official about the satellite, not even its name
That's true, but I think its the first time (not counting with the Shenzhou launches and the Chang'e launches), that we are having Ğliveğ views from inside the launch control room. And there is many information on the microbloggers.
Let's hope its the ZhongXing-1A or I'll have to change the news article!!!
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#24
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:25
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#25
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:28
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Light rain reported on the pad
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#26
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:33
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T-0!
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#27
by
Satori
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:34
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Launch window opens. Waiting for news...
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#28
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:35
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Lift-off at 1633UTC!
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#29
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:35
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#30
by
Satori
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:35
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Lift-off at 1633UTC!
Very good!
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#31
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:36
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#32
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:37
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Exact liftoff time: 163303:621UTC
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#33
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:38
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#34
by
Chris Bergin
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:39
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Cool photos, keep them coming!
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#35
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:41
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#36
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:46
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Oops.... the secret launch timeline got leaked out....
Timeline:
Boosters Sep. : T+141s
1st stage sep. : T+159.4s
Fairing sep. : T+235.6s
2nd stage sep. : T+344.2s
3rd stage MECO-1: T+619.8s
3rd stage 2nd iginition: T+1264.5s
3rd stage MECO-2: T+1440.7s
3rd stage vernier engines shutdown: T+1460.s
Spacecraft separation: T+1540.9s
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#37
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:50
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#38
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:55
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Oops.... the secret launch timeline got leaked out....
It's slightly different from the one on the
CALT website
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#39
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 18 Sep, 2011 16:58
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The third stage performed exactly as planned. S/C separation should come right now...
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#40
by
Chris Bergin
on 18 Sep, 2011 17:01
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Wow, this is almost a live thread! Very rare for a none HSF launch from China!
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#41
by
tonyq
on 18 Sep, 2011 17:03
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Excellent coverage and graphics guys! Thanks.
Now for TG-1 we hope...........!
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#42
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 18 Sep, 2011 17:05
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The third stage performed exactly as planned. S/C separation should come right now...
S/C separation confirmed!
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#43
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 17:07
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#44
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 17:15
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A first representation of the spacecraft
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#45
by
Chris Bergin
on 18 Sep, 2011 17:15
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Successful launch
Well done to the Chinese engineers. They really couldn't of afforded a second failure in a row.
Everyone look out for a nice launch photo for Rui's article.
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#46
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 17:32
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I've got a feeling that we'll have to wait a while for the official announcement!
But let's hope I'm wrong
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#47
by
Chris Bergin
on 18 Sep, 2011 17:54
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#48
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 18:42
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#49
by
Satori
on 18 Sep, 2011 18:56
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#50
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 19:08
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#51
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 20:12
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A first object (11047A/37804) catalogued by Stratcom in
186.3 km x 35818.5 km x 27.11° 631.43 min
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#52
by
input~2
on 18 Sep, 2011 21:06
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And now Object B (11047B/37805) in
191.8 km x 35806.8 km x 26.93° 631.31 min
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#53
by
input~2
on 19 Sep, 2011 05:23
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#54
by
input~2
on 19 Sep, 2011 06:00
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#55
by
input~2
on 19 Sep, 2011 07:12
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Pictures taken during launch in the control room (see above) have now been removed from the microblogger webpage...
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#56
by
input~2
on 19 Sep, 2011 07:28
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#57
by
input~2
on 19 Sep, 2011 12:26
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#58
by
jcm
on 19 Sep, 2011 21:07
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I note that all the launch announcements seem to refer to 'Changzheng san hao yi' (CZ-3B) rather than CZ-3BE - is there any evidence now that it's a 3BE?
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#59
by
input~2
on 19 Sep, 2011 21:38
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Confirmation of the military denomination of this satellite as Fenghuo-2
(
source)
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#60
by
Satori
on 19 Sep, 2011 22:18
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I note that all the launch announcements seem to refer to 'Changzheng san hao yi' (CZ-3B) rather than CZ-3BE - is there any evidence now that it's a 3BE?
Interesting. 9ifly Chinese space forum lists a CZ-3B instead of a CZ-3B/E. But all but one previous launches of a DFH-4 have been launched by a CZ-3B/E.
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#61
by
Skyrocket
on 19 Sep, 2011 22:44
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I note that all the launch announcements seem to refer to 'Changzheng san hao yi' (CZ-3B) rather than CZ-3BE - is there any evidence now that it's a 3BE?
The image of the launch vehicle looks like a CZ-3B, not like a CZ-3B/E
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#62
by
input~2
on 20 Sep, 2011 07:10
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Debris of the first stage were recovered in particular near Tuanfeng village(N265340.50E1102412.34) in Hunan province.
(
source)
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#63
by
Satori
on 20 Sep, 2011 09:23
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I'm using the same comparison method that was used by Lissov on other thread and by the 9ifly members.
Looking at pictures of the CZ-3B used to orbit the ZX-9 satellite, of the CZ-3B/E used to orbit the PakSat-1R and the launch vehicle used for the launch of ZX-1A, this one looks like a CZ-3B/E.
Also, I think that China is now always using the CZ-3B/E instead of the CZ-3B.
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#64
by
Skyrocket
on 20 Sep, 2011 09:48
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I'm using the same comparison method that was used by Lissov on other thread and by the 9ifly members.
Looking at pictures of the CZ-3B used to orbit the ZX-9 satellite, of the CZ-3B/E used to orbit the PakSat-1R and the launch vehicle used for the launch of ZX-1A, this one looks like a CZ-3B/E.
At least the first (NIGCOMSAT 1) and second (Venesat) CZ-3B/E had larger and different shaped fins.
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#65
by
input~2
on 20 Sep, 2011 12:11
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A booster was recovered near Sanxikou hamlet (N271708.67E1081530.99), Guizhou province, within the "assumed" notified drop zone. AFAIU, it caused some damage to housings.
Another booster fell to the South over Baiduo township, no personnel injuries were reported.
(
source)
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#66
by
input~2
on 20 Sep, 2011 12:40
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Half of the fairing was recovered near Mingkeng village (N260334.20E1140654.66), Jiangxi province, within the preset drop zone.
No casualties reported.
(
source and
source2)
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#67
by
input~2
on 24 Sep, 2011 15:43
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According to a launch commemoration envelope (see below), the launch mass of Chinasat-1A was 5320kg and the design lifetime is over 11 years.
Interesting to note the military aircraft and ships below the satellite in the image on the left.
(
source)
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#68
by
input~2
on 24 Sep, 2011 16:34
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Yuanwang 3 and Yuanwang 6 space tracking ships of CSMTC made their voyages to the predetermined sea area of Pacific Ocean to undertake maritime tracking and control mission.
(
source)
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#69
by
Satori
on 24 Sep, 2011 23:50
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CZ-3B serial number is Y16.
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#70
by
input~2
on 25 Sep, 2011 07:46
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CZ-3B serial number is Y16.
Thanks Rui for having noticed the serial number on the commemoration envelope below (the first line in Chinese translates as "CZ-3B Y16 carrier rocket")
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#71
by
input~2
on 25 Sep, 2011 18:54
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The second half of the fairing was recovered near Qiuli village (N260750E1140136), Hunan province, within the preset drop zone, some 11 km from the first half.
(
source)
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#72
by
input~2
on 04 Mar, 2012 19:34
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According to USSTRATCOM, the 3rd stage reentered February 7, 2012 at 0350UTC +/- 1 minute over 5.6°N 54.8°W (Surinam coast line) ascending , inclined 26°.
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#73
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 26 Sep, 2023 05:34
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