Author Topic: Tianhui-3 - CZ-3B/G3 - Xichang - 2021  (Read 2980 times)

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Tianhui-3 - CZ-3B/G3 - Xichang - 2021
« on: 06/12/2021 02:50 am »
Tianhui-3, an (inclined?) geosynchronous synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, has bubbled up as an upcoming launch from Xichang more than once this year.

Cross-posts:
Several local tour operators are currently advertising for a LM-3B Xichang launch on January 19, curiously stating that it's of a Tianhui series satellite. That's highly interesting because the series of cartography satellites doesn't seems likely to involve BLEO operations.
Either the tour operators got it wrong, or there's another LM-3B SSO launch soon, or (one theory from Chinese forums) it's the long rumored/reported Chinese geosynchronous SAR satellite. (note that SAR requires the antenna to be moving to work, so geostationary orbit won't work and people assume it would go to an inclined GSO)
(The launch was for Tiantong-1 (03).)

According to a post on 9ifly Chinese space forum, the rocket to be used is a CZ-3B/G3 with serial number Y77 and the payload is the 20-meter L-band SAR Tianhui-3 satellite to operate in GEO.
(The launch was for TJSW-6.)

A few launches reported (at some time) to take place in February:
<snip>
- Tianhui-3 (?) to be launched (?) by a Chang Zheng-3B/G3 from Xichang;
<snip>
(The next Xichang orbital launch was not until May 6.)

Now:
July 5
GEOSAR
Xichang CZ-3B/G3
http://www.spaceflightfans.cn/event/long-march-3b-rocket-launch-geosar-satellite/comment-page-1
GEOSAR should = Tianhui-3

Previous Tianhui satellites have operated from sun-synchronous(?) orbit.
Tianhui-1A, B, C
Tianhui-2 01A/01B
« Last Edit: 06/30/2021 06:00 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Tianhui-3 - CZ-3B/G3 - Xichang - 3 July 2021
« Reply #1 on: 06/19/2021 10:20 pm »
Is there a source for the July 3 launch date, versus July 5?
China launch schedule

2021

July 3 - CZ-3B/G3 - XSLC, LC2 - GEOSAR (Tianhui-3)

June 14

Edit June 20: Launch schedule listing changed to July 5.
« Last Edit: 06/21/2021 04:38 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Tianhui-3 - CZ-3B/G3 - Xichang - 5 July 2021
« Reply #2 on: 06/22/2021 09:49 pm »
Cross-post:
Spaceflightfans.cn has a CZ-3B launch on July 6 but is not listing the payload.
<snip>
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Tianhui-3 - CZ-3B/G3 - Xichang - 2021
« Reply #3 on: 06/30/2021 06:02 am »
The July 6 launch from Xichang will be for Tianlian-1 (05) instead:
Spaceflightfans.cn is giving July 6 (TBC) as the launch date for Tianlian-1 (05).
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