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#20
by
GELORD
on 19 Dec, 2016 20:43
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Gaojing-1&2 (SuperView-1&2) - CZ-2D - TSLC, LC9 - December 26, 2016
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#21
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 23 Dec, 2016 13:32
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#22
by
Satori
on 23 Dec, 2016 13:59
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BY70-1 - Bayi Kepu Weixing-1
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#23
by
wsl2005
on 24 Dec, 2016 04:38
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BY70-1 - Bayi Kepu Weixing-1
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#24
by
wsl2005
on 24 Dec, 2016 07:25
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#25
by
GELORD
on 24 Dec, 2016 11:42
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Gaojing-1&2 (SuperView-1&2)
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#26
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 24 Dec, 2016 16:18
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#27
by
Satori
on 25 Dec, 2016 04:13
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#28
by
spacevogel
on 25 Dec, 2016 14:28
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#29
by
GELORD
on 25 Dec, 2016 22:31
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Gaojing-1&2 (SuperView-1&2)
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#30
by
Chris Bergin
on 26 Dec, 2016 10:41
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Do we have a rough time of day for the launch on the 28th?
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#31
by
Satori
on 26 Dec, 2016 10:55
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Do we have a rough time of day for the launch on the 28th?
Same launch time, 03:30UTC.
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#32
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 26 Dec, 2016 14:37
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Well, it looks it now obvious that in fact this launch will be from Taiyuan as the two satellites were today delivered there.
I doubt it's CZ-2D though - there's no orbit that can fly from Taiyuan that can't be flown from Jiuquan, while the opposite is not true.
If it really is (no obvious hints from SAST that they are bringing the 2D to Taiyuan), there must be some compelling reason that we don't know to do so. 
It seems that the best explanation is simply that the CZ-2D launch frequency is growing beyond the capability of using a single pad - it will log 6 launches this year and SAST claims up to 8~10 launches next year (taking away most of those used to fly with CZ-2C?). With other rockets sharing the Jiuquan pad as well it would make sense to use Taiyuan as an alternative launch site.
This article written 3 days ago explicitly wrote that the CZ-2D now shares a completely same 1st stage with that of the CZ-4 series (in terms of structure, engine and propellant volume), which means that CZ-2D launches from Taiyuan can share the existing CZ-4 1st stage drop zone too.
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#33
by
russianhalo117
on 26 Dec, 2016 16:40
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Well, it looks it now obvious that in fact this launch will be from Taiyuan as the two satellites were today delivered there.
I doubt it's CZ-2D though - there's no orbit that can fly from Taiyuan that can't be flown from Jiuquan, while the opposite is not true.
If it really is (no obvious hints from SAST that they are bringing the 2D to Taiyuan), there must be some compelling reason that we don't know to do so.
It seems that the best explanation is simply that the CZ-2D launch frequency is growing beyond the capability of using a single pad - it will log 6 launches this year and SAST claims up to 8~10 launches next year (taking away most of those used to fly with CZ-2C?). With other rockets sharing the Jiuquan pad as well it would make sense to use Taiyuan as an alternative launch site.
This article written 3 days ago explicitly wrote that the CZ-2D now shares a completely same 1st stage with that of the CZ-4 series (in terms of structure, engine and propellant volume), which means that CZ-2D launches from Taiyuan can share the existing CZ-4 1st stage drop zone too.
I would't be surprised if more standardization and consolidation of versions in the CZ-2 and CZ-4 series occurs resulting a single standardized series like what has been done with CZ-3 series.
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#34
by
ZachS09
on 26 Dec, 2016 18:00
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Why not make a Long March 4D rocket and retire the Long March 2D altogether?
The Long March 4D would be a combination of the Long March 2D and the Long March 4 family since both have some sort of commonality. It's more of a fanmade idea rather than official.
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#35
by
russianhalo117
on 26 Dec, 2016 18:22
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Why not make a Long March 4D rocket and retire the Long March 2D altogether?
The Long March 4D, would be a combination of the Long March 2D and the Long March 4 family since both have some sort of commonality. It's more of a fanmade idea rather than official.
Might as well retire CZ-2C with CZ-2D and fully standardize all versions in the CZ-4 series as that would give greater capability and launch rate thus reducing cost and increasing competitiveness.
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#36
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 27 Dec, 2016 13:25
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The Chinese company Space View, which will operate the SuperView satellites, has confirmed that the launch is on schedule for tomorrow:
Space View @bjspaceview
To be launched tommorrow!
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#37
by
zubenelgenubi
on 27 Dec, 2016 22:13
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#38
by
Chris Bergin
on 28 Dec, 2016 02:51
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No locals complaining about rattling windows yet?
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#39
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 28 Dec, 2016 03:00
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No locals complaining about rattling windows yet?
There are only mountains to rattle next to TSLC.
Can't find anything yet - I suspect the original conjectured launch time might be wrong so....
