[8/1/98] Chen Lan : Thank you very much. I've read the article which
is from Yazhou Zhoukan. There are also other articles and
pictures about Chinese space program in that issue. But
these articles contain no new information.
Tsinghua-1 [8/1/98]
vc : Are there any known specifications of the
satellite Tsinghua-1?
[8/1/98] Chen Lan : I searched Surrey and Tsinhua site but found
nothing.
Movie
or video clips of launches [8/7/98]
Huang Jianan : Besides the still images, it would be more
exciting to see the movie or video clips of the LM rocket
launchings. Do you know of any or the link to them?
[8/7/98] Chen Lan : There is one in my Gallery section, the Freja
launch in 1992, provided by Sweden Space Corporation.
Various [8/7/98]
vc : 1) If Tsinghua-1 is a 10kg sat. they can try to
launch it using a converted DF missile! If it's a 1000kg
LEO which rocket will be the best to launch it?
2) What's the weight of the 6-nation sat.? Which rocket
will be used?
[8/10/98] Chen Lan : For 10kg sat, the most suitable way is being
launched with any of other satellites. For near 1000kg
sat: CZ-1D. 1000+kg: CZ-2C.
Surrey and Tsinghua are still discussing the project
details. It is expected to be unveiled in near future.
Space
Shuttle for China manned first mission [8/8/98]
Heddy Theo : To : Chen Lan
As I saw in Zhu Hai Air Show 1997, there was a mock up of
space shuttle , it looked endeavor of USA liked or Buran
of Russia liked. Color in white.
Do you see any possibility that China will built a space
shuttle similar to USA endeavor or Russia Buran in the
near future for their first manned mission to outer space
?
If we take aside of funding problem, do you know any
technology difficulty in CHina side for building the
space shuttle ?
[8/10/98] Chen Lan : I DO belive China will have a shuttle. I saw the
picure of the shuttle in Zhuhai. But I don't think this
is the 'real' mockup of the shuttle China is developing.
And I don't think the first Chinese astronaut/Taikonaut
will be sent into space by the shuttle. It is reported a
manned capsule will lift off next year, which will
resemble the Russian Soyuz instead of the shuttle.
What
is Tsinghua-1 and Surrey? [8/11/98]
Foxtrot : What are these two satellites that are being
discussed here? Are these Chinese or Taiwanese
satellites? What are its functions? ie communication,
scientific??
[8/11/98] Chen Lan : Tsinghua-1 is a mini/micro test satellite
developed by Tsinghua University and Surrey University of
UK. Taiwan's satellite called Rocsat-1 or Formosa-1 which
is an ocean imagging and communication test satellite.
[8/11/98] Foxtrot : Anymore details on this satellite? When is it
expected to be launched? What kind of instrument will it
carry?
[8/11/98] Chen Lan : What I only know is that the final agreement has
not reached yet. I belive they will unveil the details
when finally contracted. I will post any new information
about it as long as I know.
China
Rocket comparable to USA TITAN 4 [8/13/98]
Heddy Theo : To : Chen Lan
Thank for your answer on the Space Shuttle.
As I believe you know that 2 days ago USA most powerful
rocket TITAN 4 exploded. I curious to know if China has
any rocket comparable to this TITAN 4 ? And what is TITAN
4 maximum load and max range ?.
[8/13/98] Chen Lan : China's most powerful rocket is Long March 3B.
Its capacity is about 70% of the Titan's. The exploded
one is Titan 4A. U.S. will never use it later. They will
use the new model: Titan 4B. Here is the comparison.
It's an old but interesting article. A senior rocket
scientist spoke out.
[8/16/98] Chen Lan : Just read it. Thanks.
Good article! I think that's the fact among 1996 CZ-3B
failure investigation. Unfortunately some Americans will
never believe that.
Future
commercial launches [8/16/98]
vc : What are the future, confirmed commercial
launches for CZ rockets?
[8/16/98] Chen Lan : Confirmed:
-- 8 Iridium launches (include upcoming one) in next few
years.
-- Chinasat-8, end of this year
-- APMT-1, 2000
Possible:
-- APMT-2 (the backup of APMT-1)
-- Asiasat-4 (now delayed)
-- Apstar followup
-- Teledesic
BTW, why did we get some many launch failures until later
1996?
Thanks,
zhangq
[8/20/98] Chen Lan : Reason 1: so many new models put into service
Reason 2: Bad quality control
Reason 3: Bad payload/launcher integration because of
strict thechnology export control by the U.S. government
Reason 4: bad luck
I don't think Long March has any design problems although
the technology is not as high as US and European.
Every
country is like that [8/21/98]
vc : Every country likes to make profit from rocket
launches and it's where tragedy will strike. At one time
even the American shuttle is busy carrying commercial
sats. After the Challenger explosion commercial launches
on shuttles stopped. I think Chinese engineers want to do
business to much in 1995 and 96, right now they just went
back to basics and reliability rises again.
Chinese
satellite and space exploration need to catch up [8/21/98]
vc : Just my opinion. I notice that many people
pointed out there are not a lot of passengers on Chinese
rockets. However, western suspicion on China will
continue, so the best way to solve this is to boost
indigenious space exploration. It's a good decision to
develop small/micro sats plus the solar telescope, I
think they can do more e.g. a Moon or even Mars probe.
(Japan can do that, China should not be too far behind)
[8/23/98] Chen Lan : Fully agree with you.
[8/23/98] vc : Thank you, I wrote this after I read a news that
Hughes and Loral had booked ten launches on the
un-tested, under-development Japanese H2A rather than the
"tried, tested and true" CZ3B... too bad...
Fuel [8/23/98]
vc : I looked at your web site and know Chinese
rockets use N2O4 and UDMH. Any other country use these as
fuel? Are they good and safe?
[8/23/98] Chen Lan : UDMH is a very popular fuel. European Ariane,
Russian Proton, and India PSLV all use it. U.S. Titan and
the 2nd stage of Delta use Aero 50, a mixed fuel which
contains 50% of UDMH. UDMH is a storable fuel, so is safe
for rocket but not safe for person (toxic).
CZ2E(A)
my predictions [8/23/98]
vc : Judging from the photo, the main modification is
a larger booster. Upon the successful development of this
booster, it can inserted on to CZ3B to create a more
powerful GTO launcher ( I bet it can reach 6.5 to 7 t)
[8/23/98] Chen Lan : Yes, the upgraded CZ-3 will be comparable to
Titan 4B/Centaur but still behind Ariane 5. Chinese A5
class launcher will be a completely new design using
kerozine engines according some reports.
BTW, CALT site, which unveiled the CZ-2E(A) first time
earlier this year, replaced the old picture with a new
one without 2E(A) included. What it mean?
China's
advanced solar satellite plans [8/26/98]
Dr Michael Martin-Smith : Dear Forum,
A recent paper (1997)in the Journal of Atmospheric and
Solar Terrestrial Physics shows a closer link between
global temperatures and the Solar-Terrestrial connection,
as mediated by sunspot cycles, solar wind, cosmic rays,
and cloud cover than the currently widely accepted link
between human activity and global warming. It does far
more than this; in using astronomy, and orbiting weather
satellites it has shown that astronomy and space science
are essential for correct understanding of our ecology in
its widest sense. This discovery, together with the
increasingly understood threat from asteroid impacts,
further undermines the Luddite argument that human
salvation lies in a retreat from science and technology
in general, and space exploration and development in
particular. Nothing could be further from the truth! To
manage our environment in the interests of our
descendants we must first understand it; this is now
clearly impossible without fuller investment in physics,
astronomy and astronautics. We live in a cosmic ecology,
and must build a "Greater Earth" for further
human development - or fall back towards the Animal
Kingdom! The proposed advanced Chinese solar science
satellite is an important contribution to world science,
and is most welcome. As Sun Tzu once said, in "The
Art of War", A man without intelligence is like a
blinfolded man locked into a room with a tiger!"
[8/27/98] Chen Lan : Visited your site. "Great Earth" is a
great idea. You should let more people know it.
I think China sould pay more attention to not only
commercail space but also space science. Solar Space
Telescope may be a turning point, I hope.
Various [8/27/98]
vc : 1) Was Hughes successful in the APMT deal? After
all, European companies are available, so don't drag on.
2) Overconfidence will always give you problems no matter
whom is concerned -- ask Delta 3. They like to say
"PanAmSat is so confident with Delta 3 that they
signed to launch 10+ (?) satellites before the maiden
flight". But I know they will get the insurance
money paid anyway.
[8/27/98] vc : More:
1) I think there are some minor errors on your launch log
w.r.t. the last Iridium launch :)
2) Why there is a ground station in Beijing for ST-1
(after I read the report on ST-1)
[8/27/98] Chen Lan : 1) APMT will be a mobile comsat. Hughes GM
(based on Hughes 601) is the only GEO mobile comsat
available so far. In fact, there is no such kind of
satellite in space now. Only APMT and a Saudi company
booked them. It has a large antenna (30m diameter?).
2) Early stage failure for a new launcher is reasonable.
So does Long March 3B and 2E. Words about Chinese rocket
are unfair.
3) Reaaly an error. I'll correct it. Thanks!
4) Beijing station is just for tracking the satellite
after launch (maybe there is an agreement between Ariane
and China).
[8/28/98] zhangq : I guess you might want to change
"19/08/1998" to "08/19/1998" so that
the date will be consistent with the others. I know they
use "19/08/1998" in Singapore, though.
zhangq
[8/29/98] Chen Lan : Oh, yes. So many mistakes in hurry!
Thank you.
Delta3
explosion [8/27/98]
Sage : Another explosion with U.S rocket. In terms of
reliablity, I bet on Russia Zenit or proton. They have
powerful liquid engines and its configuration simple,
unlike Delta or Titan that have so many solid boosters,
only make things complicated. China should not follow U.S
suit.
[8/27/98] Chen Lan : It seems the Delta 3 explosion was not caused by
the solid strap-ons. The lastest report today indicates
it may be the control system fault.
Solid booster is not safe for manned flight for it is
hard to control. But for unmanned missions, it may not be
a bad solution.
I don't think China will use solid for space launches (at
least large launchers) in near future. Chinese solid
technology is behind liquid for many years.
Greater
Earth Manifesto [8/28/98]
Dr Michael Martin-Smith : The "Greater Earth" idea now has a
Manifesto, at http://www.canavese.it/autino/ge-manif/htm and was prepared by my own Space
Age Associates, with Adriano Autino's Technology of
Frontiers magazine, and the Swiss OURS Foundation
Technology of Frontiers
http://www.canavese.it/autino/home.frf_htm These
associations are open to all people who wish to build a
bigger home for Man , rather than reduce his creativity
and numbers! with the asteroid threat, and the perceived
risks of climate change, from whatevr reason, we believe
growth into space using our minds, science, and
technology, is the correct line. It may be that India,
China, and Japan, could in time form an Asiatic alliance
of space powers to carry this through if the West lacks
sufficient far-sightedness? Now there's a thought for you
all!
[9/18/98] Dr Michael Martin-Smith : The Greater Earth Manifesto Website should be
amended/corrected to http://www.canavese.it/autino/ge_manif.htm ie no "slash" between
manif and htm rather, a simple dot!
