Chuangxin-16A/B - Kuaizhou-1A - Xichang - August 23, 2022 (02:36 UTC)

[mikezang]

A2314/22 NOTAMN
Q) ZPKM/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/2815N10202E005
A) ZPKM B) 2208220253 C) 2208220314
E) A TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED CENTERED AT N2815E10202
WITH RADIUS OF 10KM. VERTICAL LIMITS:SFC-UNL.
F) SFC G) UNL

A2315/22 NOTAMN
Q) ZGZU/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/2557N11338E020
A) ZGZU B) 2208220255 C) 2208220320
E) A TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY:
N2555E11316-N2606E11318-N2600E11400-N2548E11358 BACK TO START.
VERTICAL LIMITS:SFC-UNL.
F) SFC G) UNL

There is only two days since last launch, so this might be solid CZ-11.

[Liss]

Looks like a GTO launch.

[Try_NBS]

Yes, so it's the first time GTO on the CZ-11... But the rocket hasn't a big capacity in GTO...

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Looks like a GTO launch.

Does the zone fits with previous CZ-3B and CZ-11 launches? After all it could be a satellite to low inclination LEO instead.

The thing is that I have never seen Xichang using the 2 main launch complexes within so little time of each other; perhaps the Chinese have improved their pad work flow to allow this?

[mikezang]

Looks like a GTO launch.

Does the zone fits with previous CZ-3B and CZ-11 launches? After all it could be a satellite to low inclination LEO instead.

The thing is that I have never seen Xichang using the 2 main launch complexes within so little time of each other; perhaps the Chinese have improved their pad work flow to allow this?

The drop zone is far than two CZ-11 drop zones in past.

[mikezang]

is this new CZ-11A because drop zone is far than two CZ-11s.

[mikezang]

A2314/22 NOTAMN
Q) ZPKM/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/2815N10202E005
A) ZPKM B) 2208220253 C) 2208220314
E) A TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED CENTERED AT N2815E10202
WITH RADIUS OF 10KM. VERTICAL LIMITS:SFC-UNL.
F) SFC G) UNL

A2315/22 NOTAMN
Q) ZGZU/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/2557N11338E020
A) ZGZU B) 2208220255 C) 2208220320
E) A TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY:
N2555E11316-N2606E11318-N2600E11400-N2548E11358 BACK TO START.
VERTICAL LIMITS:SFC-UNL.
F) SFC G) UNL

There is only two days since last launch, so this might be solid CZ-11.

A2380/22 NOTAMN
Q) ZPKM/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/2815N10201E005
A) ZPKM B) 2208230224 C) 2208230244
E) A TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED CENTERED AT N2815E10202
WITH RADIUS OF 10KM. VERTICAL LIMITS:SFC-UNL.
F) SFC G) UNL

A2381/22 NOTAMN
Q) ZGZU/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/2557N11338E020
A) ZGZU B) 2208230226 C) 2208230250
E) A TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY:
N2555E11316-N2606E11318-N2600E11400-N2548E11358 BACK TO START.
VERTICAL LIMITS:SFC-UNL.
F) SFC G) UNL

[Rondaz]

Another LEO launch of
solid rocket, probably Kuaizhou-1A
from Jiuquan
suspectedly carrying Centispace-S3/S4
NET 01:00 UTC on Sep. 06

In about 2 hours:
CZ11 ~03:05 UTC on Aug. 22

More:
CZ2D ~03:05 UTC on Aug. 24
CZ4C NET Sep. 02

https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1561518137127751680

[mikezang]

Another LEO launch of
solid rocket, probably Kuaizhou-1A
from Jiuquan
suspectedly carrying Centispace-S3/S4
NET 01:00 UTC on Sep. 06

It is said the S3/S4 by KZ-1A in end of August...

[Liss]

OK, I now see this is probably not a GTO launch because of:

(1) 29-30 min shift of launch time (precession?);
(2) Another danger zone in the Pacific:

A0897/22 NOTAMN
Q) NFFF/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/0156S17455E035
A) NFFF B) 2208230200 C) 2208230400
E) TEMPO DANGER AREA ACTIVATED IN AREA BOUNDED BY APRX COORD:
- S02 20 00 E174 31 00 TO
- S02 26 00 E175 09 00 TO
- S01 32 00 E175 19 00 TO
- S01 25 00 E174 41 00 THENCE TO
- S02 20 00 E174 31 00.
ATS ROUTE AFFECTED:
-A578 ROUTE SEGMENT BETWEEN WPT BODKI TO 'BO' NDB
-R332 ROUTE SEGMENT BETWEEN WPT AKUMO TO 'BO' NDB
AIRMEN SHALL EXER EXTREME CTN WHEN OPERATING WI THE VCY OF TEMPO
DANGER AREA.
F) SFC G) UNL
CREATED: 22 Aug 2022 03:47:00
SOURCE: NFOFYNYX

[mikezang]

OK, I now see this is probably not a GTO launch because of:

(1) 29-30 min shift of launch time (precession?);
(2) Another danger zone in the Pacific:

A0897/22 NOTAMN
Q) NFFF/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/0156S17455E035
A) NFFF B) 2208230200 C) 2208230400
E) TEMPO DANGER AREA ACTIVATED IN AREA BOUNDED BY APRX COORD:
- S02 20 00 E174 31 00 TO
- S02 26 00 E175 09 00 TO
- S01 32 00 E175 19 00 TO
- S01 25 00 E174 41 00 THENCE TO
- S02 20 00 E174 31 00.
ATS ROUTE AFFECTED:
-A578 ROUTE SEGMENT BETWEEN WPT BODKI TO 'BO' NDB
-R332 ROUTE SEGMENT BETWEEN WPT AKUMO TO 'BO' NDB
AIRMEN SHALL EXER EXTREME CTN WHEN OPERATING WI THE VCY OF TEMPO
DANGER AREA.
F) SFC G) UNL
CREATED: 22 Aug 2022 03:47:00
SOURCE: NFOFYNYX

CZ-11 can launch a GTO?

[input~2]

A2381/22 - A TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY:
N2555E11316-N2606E11318-N2600E11400-N2548E11358 BACK TO START.
VERTICAL LIMITS:SFC-UNL. SFC - UNL, 23 AUG 02:26 2022 UNTIL 23 AUG 02:50 2022.
CREATED: 22 AUG 01:32 2022

A2380/22 - A TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED CENTERED AT N2815E10202
WITH RADIUS OF 10KM. VERTICAL LIMITS:SFC-UNL. SFC - UNL, 23 AUG 02:24 2022 UNTIL
23 AUG 02:44 2022. CREATED: 22 AUG 01:31 2022

[mikezang]

Launched？！

[mikezang]

Chuangxin-16 was launched!

[Galactic Penguin SST]

T-0 was 02:36 UTC.

Payload was given a very generic “science experiments & technology validation” purpose; CAS was mentioned as the manufacturer.

https://twitter.com/cosmic_penguin/status/1561914768377942019?s=21&t=aE17NP5z-eIx9rG0bQPcDg

[Galactic Penguin SST]

This claims there are 2 satellites on board, but I cannot find this being mentioned in Chinese sources.

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1561919443956994048?s=21&t=aE17NP5z-eIx9rG0bQPcDg

[otter]

https://english.news.cn/20220823/3538a27255b54fd7944ff47ece46b368/c.html

China launches new satellite via Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket
   
XICHANG, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday successfully launched a new satellite into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The Chuangxin-16 satellite, developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was launched at 10:36 a.m. (Beijing Time) by a Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket and entered the planned orbit successfully.

The satellite will mainly be used for scientific experiments and verification of new technologies.

The launch was the 16th mission by Kuaizhou-1A series rockets.

[Steven Pietrobon]

SciNews video. Hard to say if there are two payloads onboard, as shown in the animation.

[Josh_from_Canada]

What's the rocket's serial number?

[input~2]

Short launch video
https://tv.cctv.com/2022/08/23/VIDE7jBC2iBbP3C4gEh8W0jU220823.shtml

[input~2]

On August 23 , 2022 , China used the Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center to successfully send the Chuangxin 16 A and B double -satellite combination into the predetermined orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success.

The Chuangxin No. 16 satellite was developed by the Institute of Microsatellite Innovation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and is mainly used to carry out new technology verification experiments.

http://www.microsate.com/xwzx/yw/202208/t20220823_6502801.html

[Liss]

One object at 29° 590x596 km.

[input~2]

One object at 29° 590x596 km.

This is 2022-102A/53586

[Liss]

Within 2° of the orbital plane of the GECAM pair.

[Satori]

One object at 29° 590x596 km.

This is 2022-102A/53586

So, we have the announcement of the launch of two satellites for technology testing in orbit. But, only one object is cataloged... so, is it possible that the two sats were launched docked and they will separate in the near future for rendezvous and docking testing in orbit?

[input~2]

One object at 29° 590x596 km.

This is 2022-102A/53586

So, we have the announcement of the launch of two satellites for technology testing in orbit. But, only one object is cataloged... so, is it possible that the two sats were launched docked and they will separate in the near future for rendezvous and docking testing in orbit?

Seems possible as CAS mentions "an assembly of two satellites" (双星组合)

[Rondaz]

CelesTrak has GP data for 1 object from the launch (2022-102) of Chuangxin-16 atop a Kuaizhou-1A rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center on Aug 23 at 0236 UTC:

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1562118634700279808

[russianhalo117]

Also possible that their will be a second launch as the assembled two payloads reference has also been used to mean that before as well.

[input~2]

Also possible that their will be a second launch as the assembled two payloads reference has also been used to mean that before as well.

Well, CAS counted 82 of their satellites launched as of July 27 and 84 as of August 23; which seems to confirm the launch of two satellites on August 23

[mikezang]

Also possible that their will be a second launch as the assembled two payloads reference has also been used to mean that before as well.

Well, CAS counted 82 of their satellites launched as of July 27 and 84 as of August 23; which seems to confirm the launch of two satellites on August 23

Those two Sats connected by soft rope....

[input~2]

On Sep 19 at about 2200 UTC the Chuangxing-16 satellite launched on Aug appears to have split into two objects, now about 25 km apart.  This seems to confirm reports that CX-16A and CX-16B were launched together and are now separating for proximity operations experiments

https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1572293200622100484?s=20&t=7NnU1S07_zk0cEyZl0xOTw

[Liss]

Now being some 10° behing GECAM-A and catching up.