Category: Long March Carrier Rockets

#MadeInChina #中國製造 |#深蓝航天#DeepBlueAerospace #September2024| Deep Blue Aerospace #ReusableCarrierRocket A briefing on the first high-altitude recovery flight test of Deep Blue Aerospace’s #星云一号 #Nebula 1 – extreme testing.

kevinjamesngLeave a comment

At 13:40 on September 22, Jiangsu Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. carried out the first high-altitude vertical recovery flight test of Nebula-1 at the Deep Blue Aerospace Ejin Banner Spaceport in Inner Mongolia China, People’s Republic of China … The recyclable and reusable first-stage rocket body had an abnormality during the final landing phase of the flight test, and the test mission was not completely successful. According to the “Nebula-1 First High-altitude Vertical Recovery Flight Test Test Outline”, there are a total of 11 major test verification tasks. In this flight test, 10 of them were successfully completed and 1 was not completed. 

China’s first high-altitude recovery flight test of a launch vehicle that can enter orbit…. At 13:00 on September 22, Jiangsu Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. carried out the first high-altitude vertical recovery flight test of Nebula-1 at the “Deep Blue Aerospace Ejin Banner Spaceport” in Inner Mongolia. An abnormality occurred in the recyclable and reusable first-stage rocket body during the final landing phase of the flight test, and the test mission was not completely successful. The core mission objectives of this test are to verify the correctness and coordination of the operation of various systems in the vertical recovery phase after Nebula-1 enters orbit, especially to verify the multi-machine to single-machine variable power operating conditions for the first time in flight, and to accumulate key data for subsequent 100-kilometer recovery flight tests and the final orbital entry + recovery test missions

The Nebula-1 rocket that carried out this flight mission is Deep Blue Aerospace’s first commercial liquid rocket that can enter orbit and be recycled and reused. It is also an important carrier for breaking through and verifying rocket vertical recovery and reuse technology. The Nebula-1 rocket has a body diameter of 3.35 meters and a first-stage height of about 21 meters. It is equipped with the Thunder-R liquid oxygen-kerosene engine, China’s first reusable liquid rocket engine developed fully independently by Deep Blue Aerospace, with more than 90% of the main structure integrally formed using high-temperature alloy 3D printing technology.

This flight test is China’s first high-altitude recovery test of a launch vehicle that can enter orbit. The core mission of the test is to verify the correctness and coordination of the various systems in the vertical recovery phase after the Xingyun-1 enters orbit, especially to verify the multi-machine to single-machine variable power condition for the first time in flight, so as to accumulate key data for the subsequent 100-kilometer recovery flight test and the final orbital entry + recovery test mission.

According to the “Xingyun-1 First High-Altitude Vertical Recovery Flight Test Outline”, the key technical points verified during this test are as follows:

The rocket took off with three engines ignited according to the predetermined procedure. After reaching the predetermined height, the engines on both sides were shut down, and the attitude was stabilized and the ascent was slowed down by relying on the thrust of a single engine. After reaching the highest point, it relied on the thrust adjustment of a single engine to descend smoothly. After moving sideways for about 200 meters, it successfully unlocked, deployed and locked the landing legs at the predetermined height above the recovery site. However, an abnormality occurred during the final landing shutdown phase, resulting in partial damage to the rocket body. The entire flight test lasted 179 seconds. Before shutdown, the error between the rocket body and the theoretical landing point was less than 0.5 meters, and the rocket body finally landed precisely at the center of the recovery site. The flight mission profile of this test was consistent with the predetermined procedure. The entire process of test preparation and implementation was within the scope of the preliminary safety control plan. After the test, post-processing was carried out in accordance with the predetermined emergency response process, and no safety issues occurred throughout the process.

After the test, a preliminary retrospective analysis of the test process data showed that during the final landing shutdown phase, the engine thrust servo followed the control command abnormally, causing the rocket body to land at a height exceeding the design range and partial damage to the rocket body. The Deep Blue Aerospace technical team will complete the mission “zeroing” as soon as possible to lay a solid foundation for the success of subsequent recovery flight tests. Based on the summary of this test and the zeroing of technical faults, Deep Blue Aerospace will perform a high-altitude vertical recovery mission again in November.

This flight test was conducted at the Ejin Banner Spaceport built by Deep Blue Aerospace. The ground equipment, refueling system, and measurement and control system of the test site were all independently developed by Deep Blue Aerospace. The test site is the first fully commercial test site in China that can meet the needs of liquid rocket launches and flight tests. It is located in the heart of the Gobi Desert, adjacent to the Badain Jaran Desert, China’s third largest desert, on the south side. The surrounding area is a vast Gobi Desert uninhabited area, which has inherent safety characteristics. The test area this time points to the uninhabited area in the desert to the south. The test is strictly carried out in accordance with the safety management requirements of rocket tests, and comprehensive risk identification, control, and emergency plans are carried out to ensure the test safety and public safety of this test.

For the first stage of the Nebula-1 orbital rocket, only less than 1/5 of the propellant was added in this test; the precise attitude control of the propellant shallow box in the high-altitude vertical recovery condition was successfully verified. This test used high-precision self-alignment technology based on a dynamic base, as well as takeoff roll-to-launch launch technology, which can meet the full-direction launch requirements without changing the vertical installation state of the rocket. In the future, it can greatly simplify the workload of different flight missions and improve adaptability. This test preliminarily verified the recovery trajectory optimization based on optimal control and the meter-level precision guidance algorithm, and conducted engineering verification for the subsequent orbital entry + recovery optimal control method.

This test is the first time in China that an open-cycle liquid oxygen-kerosene pintle engine has been used to perform a rocket high-altitude recovery test mission. The liquid oxygen-kerosene propellant combination has the characteristics of high comprehensive carrying efficiency, low product cost, safety in use and good maintainability, and is the only choice for liquid recovery rockets for commercial use; but due to the difficulty of kerosene liquid-liquid combustion, smooth thrust regulation and stable combustion have always been the difficulties of kerosene thrust regulation engines. Pintle technology, as the best engineering practice to solve the thrust regulation of kerosene engines, is one of the technical peaks of open-cycle liquid engines. The success of this test is the first time that the Lei Ting-R engine has participated in a flight test. The central engine has carried out thrust regulation throughout the 179s flight. The actual thrust regulation command range is from 110% to 58%, and the thrust regulation accuracy is better than 1%. Under flight conditions, it responds well to step commands with a maximum amplitude of 40%, and the thrust overshoot accuracy is less than 2%.

This test was the first in China to use a landing cushion mechanism (landing legs) developed specifically for orbital-stage rockets for vertical recovery testing. In order to meet the stringent weight requirements of orbital-stage rockets, the mechanism is made of a full carbon fiber structure. In the early stages, single-machine tests of the buffer, single-machine tests of the connection and locking device, a series of deployment and retraction tests of a single leg, and joint deployment and retraction tests of four legs and the rocket body were carried out. Single-machine and system tests. Based on a series of previous tests and improvements, this mechanism is the first landing cushion device product in China to enter engineering applications. At the cost of a weight of no more than 1.2t and less than 10% of the rocket’s empty weight, the first stage of the rocket can land safely and reliably with a total weight of no more than 15 tons, a speed of no more than 3m/s, and an attitude angle of no more than 5° under the condition of carrying the remaining propellant.

In the future, Deep Blue Aerospace will continue to adhere to the serious safety awareness, rigorous and pragmatic scientific attitude, and the pursuit of excellence in innovation, focusing on the fundamental purpose of providing safer, economical, reliable, and high-frequency space transportation services, and accelerate the promotion and realization of the rapid installation of China’s reusable rockets. After accumulating valuable experience this time, Deep Blue Aerospace firmly believes that in the near future, reusable rockets will soar into the sky and help China’s aerospace “increase in volume”.

Images and visuals are from their Respectives.

#MadeInChina #中國製造 #ExPace | #September 2024| #CASIC Rocket Technology Company #Expace #Wuhan #CarrierRocketCompany|#西昌衛星發射中心 #XichangSatelliteLaunchCenter #CarrierRocket #快舟一号  #Kuaizhou1A  #KX1A   Carrier Rocket Successfully #Tianqi Apocalypse constellation 29 to 32 #Satellites….

kevinjamesngLeave a comment

Currently at the moment中國製造 Expace Technology Corporation- a CASIC -China aerospace science and industry corporation has been very busy in building a New Carrier Rocket Factory in Wuhan National Aerospace Industrial Base in which the base will be in operations in May 2020   Kuaizhou Rocket Industrial Park that forms the manufacturing of twenty plus more Kuaizhou Rockets also its other sister larger carrier rockets in process of The assembly test capability of 20 solid launch vehicles……in which is now in operation……

At 17:43 Hong Kong SAR- Beijing time on Saturday September 20th , 2024, at the Xichang Launch Center in Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province , China, People’s Republic of China , the “Kuaizhou-1A” solid-fuel carrier rocket carrying four communication satellites of the “Apocalypse” constellation 29 to 32 was launched, successfully sending the satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO).

The 29th to 32nd satellites of the “Apocalypse” constellation are low-orbit satellite IoT communication satellites developed by Beijing Guodian Hi-Tech Co., Ltd. The “Apocalypse” constellation is built and operated by Beijing Guodian Hi-Tech Co., Ltd. It consists of 38 satellites and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024. It will achieve an average revisit frequency of 1 time/10 minutes worldwide. The constellation aims to create a global low-orbit satellite IoT ecosystem that integrates the earth and the sky, and open up a new situation for satellite IoT consumer applications.

“Kuaizhou-1A” is a small launch vehicle launched by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation. It adopts a four-stage tandem configuration, with solid power in the first, second and third stages and liquid power in the fourth stage. The rocket is about 20 meters high and has a maximum diameter of 1.4 meters. It can be equipped with a fairing with a diameter of 1.2 meters/1.4 meters. The takeoff mass is about 30 tons and the takeoff thrust is 60 tons. Its low-Earth orbit (LEO) capacity is 300 kilograms, the 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) capacity is 250 kilograms, and the 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) capacity is 200 kilograms. The liquid last stage of this rocket has the ability to ignite multiple times and can perform multi-satellite launch missions in different orbits. In this mission, this type of rocket has greatly shortened the position process time through technical optimization, further improving product reliability.

 Since its successful maiden flight, the Kuaizhou-1A rocket has carried out a total of 27 launches, 25 of which were successful, making it China’s solid-fuel carrier rocket with the most launches and the most successes. Since the successful launch of the Kuaizhou-1A Yao 23 rocket on June 22, 2022, the rocket has achieved 13 consecutive victories.

This launch mission is the third launch of the Kuaizhou-1A rocket in 2024, the 14th launch from the Xichang Launch Center, the 43rd launch in China, and the 173rd launch into orbit in the world. From the launch of the Long March 3B at 09:14 on September 19 to this launch, China’s space program has carried out three launches within 33 hours, opening a high-density launch mode.

Images and visuals are from their respectives..

#CNSA #ChinaNationalSpaceAdministration #国家航天局 | #BRI #September2024|#太原卫星发射中心#TaiyuanSatelliteLaunchCenter  – Advance  International Iconic #长征二号 #ChangZheng2D #LongMarch2D  Advance Jilin-1 wideband 02B01~06 #Satellites…. #ASummary

kevinjamesngLeave a comment

At 1211  Hours Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time 20TH September 2024 , China- People’s Republic of China- CNSA –China National Space Administration   Successfully launched  Chang Zheng – Long March 2D Carrier Rocket ignited and took off at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center Shanxi Province..  Successfully launch China successfully launched中国一箭6星打开成功   Jilin-1 wideband 02B01~06 satellites successfully into its pre-determined orbit…..

[Two new key products undergo real flight test assessment! The Long March 2D launch of six satellites in one rocket was a complete success! ]


The satellite-rocket separation mechanism of this rocket adopts a non-electric explosion separation mechanism to better ensure the design of the satellite separation timing; the rocket is equipped with a high-precision miniaturized ten-meter fibre optic inertial group and an arrow machine for flight test testing. Without affecting the main mission, the two key products were subjected to real flight test assessment, which is another step forward for the application of subsequent models.



This launch is the 91st launch of the Long March 2D carrier rocket, the 218th launch of the Long March series of carrier rockets developed by the Eighth Academy, and the 536th launch of the Long March series of carrier rockets.

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration

#CNSA #ChinaNationalSpaceAdministration #国家航天局 |#BRI September2024 | #Tongchuan #ShaanxiProvince – Asia’s largest #CarrierRocket space engine high-altitude simulation test international benchmark for China’s Lunar Manned Lunar Mission..

kevinjamesngLeave a comment

DURING MAY 2024  CNSA _China National Space Administration – Assisting manned lunar landing Recently, Asia’s largest Carrier Rocket space engine high-altitude simulation test International benchmark  was completed and put into use in Tongchuan, Shaanxi province, China, People’s Republic of China, marking a major breakthrough in the key technology of high-altitude simulation test of the main reduction engine of China’s manned lunar landing project, which will effectively guarantee and support the smooth implementation of the manned lunar exploration project. What is a space engine test bench? Why is it the “ultimate test site” for Carrier Rocket spacecraft engines?

1. What is a space engine test bench?

There is a consensus in the aerospace field: “To develop aerospace, power comes first .” In space exploration, space engines provide power for launch vehicles and other spacecraft to fly into space. If the engine is regarded as the “heart” of the rocket, then the space engine test bench is like the monitor of the rocket’s “heart”. It is a ground test facility specially used to test the performance of rocket engines . It is usually composed of a test workshop, a load-bearing pier, a guide trough, a measurement and control center, a measurement and control system, a test frame, etc. It can simulate the working environment of the engine to verify and evaluate the performance, function, strength, reliability and other aspects of the rocket engine, and ensure that the engine can work stably and reliably in actual flight.

2. Why build a space engine test bench?

The development of space engines is a complex and delicate project, which requires not only a deep theoretical foundation and advanced computational simulation technology, but also actual ignition tests to verify the accuracy and reliability of the design. Therefore, in the process of engine development, the combination of theory and practice is indispensable. The engine test bench is equipped with various high-precision sensors, which are the “senses” of engine testing and can monitor the key parameters of the engine in real time during the ignition test. Through these precise measurements, researchers can intuitively observe the performance of the engine in actual work, so as to have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the engine’s performance. These test parameters not only provide researchers with various indicators of the engine’s working status, but also serve as an important basis for evaluating engine performance. By comparing the test results with the design expectations, researchers can find deficiencies in the design and make necessary improvements and optimizations to the engine.

3. Why do different engines require “tailor-made” test benches?

From the perspective of type , since each type of engine has its own unique design and performance parameters, it determines the specific environment and conditions required for testing. This means that one test bench cannot solve the “package” engine test work. Different types of test benches need to be built according to different types of engines to make the test environment and the actual working environment of the engine as consistent as possible. For this reason, test benches can also be classified. For example , according to the scale of the test bench , the test bench structure, the propellant tank capacity, and the measurement and control equipment, it can be divided into large test benches and small and medium-sized test benches; according to the type of engine propellant, it can be divided into liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen engine test benches, liquid oxygen and kerosene engine test benches, and room temperature storable engine test benches; according to the length of the engine thrust test, it can be divided into two types of test benches: steady-state test and dynamic test. The former mainly tests the engine’s steady-state thrust and pressure performance indicators, and verifies the quality of engine design and manufacturing through long-term stable work, while the latter focuses on the study of the thrust and pressure rise transition process and the aftereffect impulse change characteristics of the descending stage; according to the installation posture during the engine test, it can be divided into horizontal test benches and vertical test benches. The horizontal test bench has a wide range of uses, and the change of engine mass during operation has little effect on thrust measurement, but at the same time, this test bench is less sensitive to lateral forces. Vertical test benches are divided into upright and inverted types.

From a safety perspective , the test bench must ensure safety during the test process. Different engines will generate different thrust and heat flow when ignited, so special guide grooves and cooling systems are needed to deal with it.

From a measurement perspective , in order to obtain accurate test data, the sensors and measurement equipment on the test bench need to match the specific parameters of the engine. For example, the thrust measurement system must be able to accurately measure thrust within a specific range.

From the perspective of the simulation environment , the test bench is designed to simulate various conditions that the engine may encounter in actual flight, including high-altitude simulation, vibration environment, etc. The flight conditions of different engines may be different, so a specific simulation environment is required.

From a cost-effectiveness perspective, designing and building dedicated test rigs for different engines can improve the efficiency and accuracy of testing, saving time and resources in the long run.

From the perspective of technological development , the advancement of space engine development technology will be accompanied by new testing requirements. The construction of a dedicated test bench can provide the necessary testing support for new engines.

4. Why has the high-altitude simulation test bench become a development trend?

When launching, the engines of spacecraft such as the upper stage of a launch vehicle are in a state of low pressure at an altitude of more than 80 kilometers, and their high-altitude performance is very different from that on the ground. Since the aerodynamic and thermal loads that affect the structural strength of the engine cannot be simulated when it is stationary on the ground, a high- altitude simulation test bench is needed to create high-altitude conditions . Usually, a low-pressure environment of 30-40 kilometers is formed by vacuuming to simulate high-altitude flight conditions. The high-altitude simulation test bench is mainly used to assess the nozzle structure and performance of the engine in a low-pressure and vacuum environment to ensure the reliability of high-altitude operation. Through high-altitude simulated hot tests , the safety of the test can be improved , faults can be discovered and eliminated in a timely manner , and key support can be provided for the development of advanced engines .

With the continuous construction and improvement of the space engine test bench, it will provide a more advanced and reliable platform for the development and testing of various types of spacecraft engines.

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration

#CNSA #ChinaNationalSpaceAdministration #国家航天局 |#BRI September2024 |#西昌衛星發射中心 #XichangSatelliteLaunchCenter #ChangZheng3B #LongMarch3B #长征三号 CarrierRocket Successfully launch deployed advance Two #GPS #NavigationSatellite #Beidou 59 and 60 Constellation  #ASummary

kevinjamesngLeave a comment

On the 19th  September 2024 schedule to launch  CNSA _China National Space Administration -China – People’s Republic of China 0904 Hours Hong Kong –Beijing Time China- People’s Republic of China…. at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province…..The Chang Zheng -Long March 3B carrier rocket ignited and took off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center…..

Successfully launching the two Advance Geo Positioning Satellites Beidou number 59 and 60.. in which also preforms various other provisions of  Transportation, hydrological monitoring, meteorological forecasting… For more than 20 years, Beidou navigation satellites have been shining in the sky, providing satellite navigation services to the world. China will launch two Beidou navigation satellites….

This group of satellites is a medium earth orbit satellite. It is the first group of MEO satellites launched after the completion and opening of my country’s Beidou-3 global satellite navigation system. After entering orbit and completing on-orbit testing, it will be connected to the Beidou satellite navigation system.



Compared with the previous MEO network satellites, this group of satellites has further upgraded their functional performance in terms of global short message communication capacity, satellite-borne atomic clock technology, and payload intelligence. After being connected to the network, the reliability and service performance of the Beidou system will be further improved. , is of great significance to support the stable operation and large-scale application of the system, and lays the foundation for the design of the next generation of Beidou satellites.



The Beidou navigation satellite and supporting launch vehicle launched this time were jointly developed by the China Academy of Space Technology and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, both affiliated to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration