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#180
by
jcm
on 25 Jun, 2016 23:03
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More TLEs now showing 3 groups of orbits:
A 287 x 381 x 40.8
B 287 x 377 x 40.8
C 201 x 378 x 40.8
D 200 x 377 x 40.8
E 202 x 379 x 40.8
F 202 x 379 x 40.8
G 201 x 555 x 40.7
H 197 x 578 x 40.5
J 198 x 585 x 41.2
K 195 x 590 x 41.0
Initially I thought G to K might be motor separattion covers as per the usual CZ-2 series but now I'm wondering if they are the YZ-1A payloads, with the higher apogee and the variation in inclination reflecting YZ-1 burns.
Any suggestions?
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#181
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 26 Jun, 2016 04:53
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Sorry for being late - I'm now scanning the various Chinese articles related to this launch, which contains info on the flight sequence, the upper stage and (some) of the various payloads on board. Gimme some time.....
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#182
by
jcm
on 26 Jun, 2016 06:23
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Some TLE analysis suggests that objects A/B and C/D/E/F separated at first apogee around 1255 UTC.
I can't get a great match for objects G/H/J/K separating from A/B. G/H/J/K may have been close to C/D/E/F
around 1220 UTC.
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#183
by
Phillip Clark
on 26 Jun, 2016 06:41
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Now waiting for news about the re-entry and (hopefully) recovery of the descent vehicle, around 7:30-8 am UT today.
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#184
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 26 Jun, 2016 07:45
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Apparently the return of the capsule is live on CCTV news - the parachute has already been deployed.
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#185
by
Phillip Clark
on 26 Jun, 2016 08:12
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Now watching the post-landing operations on CCTV 13. Maybe it's the time of day or maybe it's misty there?
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#186
by
Phillip Clark
on 26 Jun, 2016 08:14
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Is that Yang Liwei in the studio, helping with the commentary?
Apparently this is a 50% mock-up of the real thing which will be capable of carrying 4-6 people. Wish I understood Chinese! The landing site is very windy - and quality of the TV pictures has greatly improved.
Animation of the de-orbit being shown: of the descent module is about 2 metres diameter it is attached to a 6-7 metres long cylinder which is performing the de-orbit. De-orbit velicity vector at about 45 deg to the flight path.
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#187
by
Phillip Clark
on 26 Jun, 2016 08:28
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Descent module reminds me of the Russian Yantar close-look descent module, but somewhat stubbier: base diameter around 2 metres, maybe a bit more? Hmmm, perhaps more like the TKS descent module in shape.
I wish I had tuned in earlier - the descent module was already on the ground when I started watching. Single parachute used for final descent, then again a 50% vehicle would not need more. I also wish I could understand Chinese and my fingers were quick and nimble enough to do screenshots, sorry.
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#188
by
Phillip Clark
on 26 Jun, 2016 10:47
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This page is interesting:
http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/. If he translation is accurate it seems possible that the name of the new manned spacecraft might be something like "Life Ark".
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#189
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 26 Jun, 2016 10:52
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This page is interesting: http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/. If he translation is accurate it seems possible that the name of the new manned spacecraft might be something like "Life Ark".
It's not its real name, just a description used for the capsule used in the title of an article from CAST.
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#190
by
Phillip Clark
on 26 Jun, 2016 10:56
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This page is interesting: http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/. If he translation is accurate it seems possible that the name of the new manned spacecraft might be something like "Life Ark".
It's not its real name, just a description used for the capsule used in the title of an article from CAST.
Thank you for clarifying.
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#191
by
akfish
on 26 Jun, 2016 12:16
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#192
by
akfish
on 26 Jun, 2016 12:26
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#193
by
Satori
on 26 Jun, 2016 13:00
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#194
by
Phillip Clark
on 26 Jun, 2016 13:12
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Has a landing time been published yet, please?
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#195
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 26 Jun, 2016 13:52
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#196
by
Bob Shaw
on 26 Jun, 2016 13:52
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That landing site looks incredibly windy... ...being dragged for a quarter of a mile is certainly not something you'd want a crew to endure.
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#197
by
jcm
on 26 Jun, 2016 13:58
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#198
by
ZachS09
on 26 Jun, 2016 14:01
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According to a Gunter's Space Page section regarding the Long March 7, it does correctly state that the variant used yesterday was the Long March 7/YZ-1A.
However, other variants are listed above the launch history such as the Long March 7 (300) and the Long March 7 (340 + HO). I'm thinking that the "340 + HO" config could have been used for yesterday's flight.
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#199
by
jcm
on 26 Jun, 2016 14:05
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