At 0651 Hours Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time 27th March 2024 , China- People’s Republic of China- CNSA –China National Space Administration Successfully launched rocket ignited and took off at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center Shanxi Province.. , and then sent the Yunhai-3 02 satellite into the predetermined orbit. The launch mission was a complete success launched with the Chang Zheng- Long March 6A Yao 3 Carrier Rocket.
Yunhai-302 satellite and Chang Zheng- Long March 6A Yao 3 Carrier Rocket. Were both developed by the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Satellites are mainly used for tasks such as atmospheric and marine environment detection, space environment detection, disaster prevention and reduction, and scientific experiments. The Chang Zheng- Long March 6A rocket is my country’s new generation of solid-liquid bundled medium-sized launch vehicle, which adopts a two-stage and semi-configuration design. The rocket has a total length of about 50 meters, a take-off weight of about 530 tons, and a carrying capacity of more than 4.5 tons in a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
This mission is the first launch mission of the Chang Zheng- Long March 6A in 2024, and it also kicked off the high-density launch of the Changliu rocket this year….
On the morning of 20th March 2024, Wednesday 0831 hours Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time at CNSA –China National Space Administration– Wenchang Space Craft launch Center the Queqiao-2 relay satellite was successfully launched…. According to the National Space Administration, the Queqiao-2 relay satellite of the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project was launched by the Long March 8 Yao-3 carrier rocket. China’s Wenchang Space Launch Site successfully launched into space.
After the Chang Zheng- Long March 8 Yao-3 carrier rocket flew for 24 minutes, the star and arrow separated, sending the Queqiao-2 relay satellite directly into the predetermined Earth-moon transfer orbit with a perigee altitude of 200 kilometers and an apogee altitude of 420,000 kilometers. The relay star’s solar wing and center following the normal deployment of the communication antennas, the launch mission was a complete success.
The main load of this mission, the “Queqiao-2” relay satellite, was developed by the Aerospace Dongfanghong Satellite Company of the Fifth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It uses the CAST-2000 satellite platform, uses a hydrazine propulsion system, and adopts three-axis stability control. The pointing control accuracy is better than 0.03 degrees, the solar cell array output power is greater than 1350 watts, equipped with a 135 Ah battery, communicates based on the S-band Unified Measurement and Control (Unified S Band) system and the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBl) system, the uplink communication rate is 2000bps, the downlink communication rate 4096/512bps, the satellite mass is about 1.2 tons, contains 488 kilograms of propellant, and has a design life of more than 8 years.
The communication payload carried by the satellite includes a 4.2-meter-diameter X-band parabolic antenna, which is used to communicate with the detector without a tracking device and points to the detector through the guidance navigation and control system (GNC); a 0.6-meter-diameter S/Ka dual-band parabolic antenna, Used to transmit data to the ground station, dual-axis tracking and pointing to the ground station; S-band relay antenna for measurement and control (TT&C); ultra-high frequency (UHF) relay antenna. In addition to providing data and signal forwarding, “Queqiao 2” will also forward various ground uplink instructions to the detector. At the same time, “Queqiao 2” is also a scientific exploration satellite equipped with an extreme ultraviolet camera, an array neutral atom imager, and the Earth-Moon Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBl) system.
Subsequently, with the support of ground measurement and control, Queqiao-2 will enter the capture orbit after mid-month correction and near-month braking; then enter the phase-modulation orbit after orbit control, and finally enter the 24-hour lunar mission orbit, becoming the successor to “Queqiao”. “After the relay star, it is the world’s second dedicated relay star beyond the earth’s orbit, providing support for the Chang’e-6 lunar sampling mission, and relaying the “Queqiao” relay star to provide relay communication services for Chang’e-4.
After the Long March 8 Yao-3 carrier rocket flew for 24 minutes, the star and arrow separated, sending the Queqiao-2 relay satellite directly into the predetermined Earth-moon transfer orbit with a perigee altitude of 200 kilometers and an apogee altitude of 420,000 kilometers. The relay star’s solar wing and center The communication antennas were deployed normally one after another. Subsequently, with the support of ground measurement and control, Queqiao-2 will enter the capture orbit after mid-month correction and near-month braking; then enter the phase-modulation orbit after orbit control, and finally enter the 24-hour lunar mission orbit, becoming the successor to “Queqiao”. “After the relay star, it is the world’s second dedicated relay star beyond the earth’s orbit, providing support for the Chang’e-6 lunar sampling mission, and relaying the “Queqiao” relay satellite to provide relay communication services for Chang’e-4.
Queqiao-2″ relay satellite and the carrying satellites “Tiandu-1” and “Tiandu-2” communication technology test satellites. The Long March 8 Yao-3 carrier rocket will be launched from Station 201 of the Wenchang launch site and will send the satellite into the Earth-moon transfer orbit. Minus 45 minutes after launch, the three-story rotating platform has all been opened.
Schematic diagram of “Tiandu No. 1”
Schematic diagram of “Tiandu 2”
The “Tiandu-1” and “Tiandu-2” communication technology test satellites were developed by China Deep Space Exploration Laboratory. Among them, “Tiandu-1” was developed by the Eighth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology, with a mass of 61 kilograms. “No. 2” was developed with the participation of Harbin Institute of Technology and has a mass of 15 kilograms. After entering the Earth-moon transfer orbit, the “Tiandu” binary stars successfully unfolded their solar wings. Afterwards, they will make mid-course corrections, enter the capture orbit after near-lunar braking, and then enter the 24-hour large elliptical frozen orbit around the moon (Elliptical frozen orbit). , then the two satellites were separated and adjusted to a relative distance of about 200 kilometers to carry out verification of new technologies such as lunar orbit navigation space reference allogeneic calibration, Ka-band communication and ranging integration new system tests, and high-reliability lunar-to-ground transmission and routing.
This launch uses the Long March 8 Yao-3 carrier rocket ” basic rocket, which is 50.34 meters long, has a first-stage diameter of 3.35 meters, a second-stage diameter of 3 meters, a booster diameter of 2.25 meters, a take-off mass of 356 tons, a take-off thrust of 499 tons, and is equipped with a 4.2-meter diameter, The height of the fairing is 12 meters, and the Earth-to-Moon transfer orbit has a transportation capacity of more than 1.3 tons.
At the same time, this mission is also the first deep space launch mission for the ” Long March 8 Yao-3 carrier rocket and China’s new generation medium-sized launch vehicle. It is also the first time that the Long March 8 Yao-3 carrier rocket has undertaken the launch mission of the lunar exploration project of a major national aerospace project.
Arouse the bright moon in the sky, illuminating my ambition, and I am determined to go to Guanghan for an appointment. The divine arrow reaches the sky, and the Magpie Bridge …..
On the morning of 17th March 2024, Sunday Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time at CNSA – China National Space Administration – Wenchang Space Craft launch Center it was the Rollout of the newly assembled Chang Zheng-Long March 8 Yao 3 Carrier Rocket towards its Launch complex station 201.. Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China.
Queqiao-2 relay satellite and the Long March-8 Yao-3 carrier rocket completed their technology at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China. In order to carry out related work in the area, the star-rocket assembly was transported vertically to the launch area, and the launch is planned to be carried out in the near future. After the Queqiao-2 relay satellite and the Long March-8 Yao-3 carrier rocket arrived at the launch site in February, they have successively completed various preparations such as final assembly and testing. At 8:10 on the 17th, the movable launch platform carrying the Long March 8 Yao-3 carrier rocket slowly drove out of the launch site’s vertical test plant and safely transferred the satellite-rocket assembly to the launch area. Subsequently, after completing the rocket function inspection, joint testing work and propellant filling, the launch will be carried out at an appropriate time.
On the Sunset of 14th Febuary Hour Hong- Kong SAR – Beijing time CNSA –China National Space Administration the combination of the Chang Zheng -Long March 8 Yao 3 carrier rocket has been shipped towards Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Center, Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China. in the during the National Holidays of celebrating the Year of the Dragon of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Spring Festival..
On the 22 February 2024 Day the components of the Chang Zheng – Long March 8 Yao 3 Carrier Rocket have arrived Wenchang Space Launch Site, Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China. The rocket is used to carry out the launch mission of the Chang’e-7 relay star (Queqiao 2) in the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project. After arriving, various final assembly tests will be carried out at the launch site. As the main medium-sized rocket of the new generation, the Long March 8 launch vehicle uses green and environmentally friendly liquid propellant and is developed according to the idea of modular combination. It will fly for the first time in 2020, filling the gap in my country’s 3-5 tons sun-synchronous orbit carrying capacity.
At present, the launch site facilities are in good condition, and preparations for the relay At present, the launch site facilities are in good condition, and preparations for the relay satellite mission are being carried out in an orderly manner, and will be launched at an appropriate time in the first half of this year….
After arriving, various final assembly tests will be carried out at the launch site. As the main medium-sized rocket of the new generation, the Long March 8 launch vehicle uses green and environmentally friendly liquid propellant and is developed according to the idea of modular combination. It will fly for the first time in 2020, filling the gap in my country’s 3-5 tons sun-synchronous orbit carrying capacity. At present, the launch site facilities are in good condition, and preparations for the relay satellite mission are being carried out in an orderly manner, and will be launched at an appropriate time in the first half of this year.
On the 15 March 2024 Hour Hong- Kong SAR – Beijing time CNSA –China National Space Administration ….. the “Chang Zheng -Long March 5” Yao-8 carrier rocket which will carry out the Chang’e-6 mission of the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project, safely arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China. Subsequently, the rocket will be assembled and tested at the launch site together with the Chang’e-6 probe that arrived in advance. Currently, all participating systems in the launch site area are preparing for the Chang’e-6 mission as planned…..
“Chang Zheng -Long March 5” Yao-8 carrier rocket which will carry out the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project嫦娥六号was safely transported to the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China. Subsequently, the rocket will be assembled and tested at the launch site together with the Chang’e-6 probe that arrived in advance. Currently, all participating systems in the launch site area….
[The Russian government will discuss the draft law on the agreement on the joint construction of an international lunar scientific research station between China and Russia]
The Russian Government Information Office stated that the Russian government will discuss on March 15 the draft federal law on the approval of the intergovernmental agreement on the cooperation with China on the construction of an international lunar scientific research station. . Meeting materials stated: “The bill aims to implement bilateral cooperation between Russia and China in the construction and use of international lunar scientific research stations and the training of scientific researchers and experts.”
Lunar Photography images are of @KevinJamesNg. – images and visuals are from their Respectives.
In 2023, the Russian government’s Legislative Council approved the initiative to jointly build a Russian-Chinese international scientific lunar station. Vladimir Gruzdev, chairman of the board of directors of the Russian Law Society, said that the federal bill aims to approve the agreement between the Russian and Chinese governments to jointly build an international scientific lunar station. This agreement is in line with Russia’s interests and will help strengthen Russia-China strategic partnership and the development of Russian aerospace affairs.
Lunar Photography images are of @KevinJamesNg. – images and visuals are from their Respectives.
Russia and China’s plan to jointly build an international scientific lunar station will be implemented in two phases starting in 2025. The station will include research, power, takeoff and landing, orbit and experiment modules, as well as a command center, transmission satellites, telecommunications stations, and technology verification observation modules.
Russia and China signed a cooperation agreement in November 2022 to jointly build an international scientific lunar station.
Lunar Photography images are of @KevinJamesNg. – images and visuals are from their Respectives.
