China has successfully launched the Tianhui 5 satellite
At 6:50 am on November 1, 2023, China successfully launched the Tianyi-5 satellite into orbit using the Long March 6 carrier rocket at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, and the launch mission was a complete success. This satellite is mainly used for tasks such as geographic information surveying, land and resource census, and scientific experimental research.
This mission is the 494th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
The verification rocket flight mission of Interstellar Glory Hyperbolic 2 has achieved complete success
At 14:00 on November 2, 2023, the independently developed liquid oxygen methane reusable verification rocket, Hyperbola 2 (code name SQX-2Y), by Beijing Starry Glory Space Technology Co., Ltd., ignited and took off from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. About one minute later, the rocket landed steadily and accurately at the target landing point, and its state was safely restored. The flight test mission was a complete success.
Through this flight test, the correctness of the overall plan for the first sub stage of the Starry Glory reusable liquid rocket, the correctness of the continuously variable thrust liquid oxygen methane power system scheme, the correctness of the vertical soft landing navigation, guidance and control scheme during the rocket landing phase, the correctness and coordination of the liquid oxygen methane rocket refueling, launch, recovery and post-processing process, the buffering and support functions and performance of the rocket landing device, and the acquisition of key technical core test data for the reusable liquid oxygen methane rocket have been verified, providing strong technical support for the development of the company's medium to large reusable launch vehicle SQX-3.
The complete success of the Starry Glory Hyperbolic II verification rocket mission marks a significant breakthrough in China's commercial aerospace in reusable launch vehicle technology, and also sounds the horn of China's aerospace to catch up with the world's most advanced level in the field of reusable launch vehicle technology!
China Successfully Launches Communication Technology Test Satellite No. 10
At 22:54 on November 3, 2023, China successfully launched the communication technology test satellite No. 10 using the Long March 7 modified carrier rocket at the Wenchang Space Launch Site, and the satellite entered its designated orbit. The launch mission was a complete success. This satellite is mainly used for verifying multi band and high-speed satellite communication technology.
This mission is the 495th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
The full system long-range hot test of the 70 ton reusable liquid oxygen methane engine of Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has been successfully completed
In early November, the 70 ton reusable liquid oxygen methane engine independently designed and assembled by Aerospace Science and Industry Rocket Company successfully completed a 200s full system long-range hot test, and the test was a complete success.
New progress in morphology analysis and genesis research of lateral wind ridges in the landing area of the Mars Zhurong spacecraft
On November 3rd, the National Center for Space Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced that new progress has been made in the morphology analysis and genesis research of transverse wind ridges in the landing area of the Mars Zhurong spacecraft. The study of Martian sandstorm landforms and paleoclimate characteristics is one of the forefront and hotspots in Martian scientific research. Due to the concealment and persistence of wind erosion processes, the study of lateral wind ridges (TARs) on the Martian surface is difficult. Research has found that the main reason why TARs in the utopian plain do not move is due to the hydration of sulfate substances in their ridges and sections, which produces a certain degree of thin layer cementation and fixes them.
China has successfully launched the Zhongxing 6E satellite
At 19:23 on November 9, 2023, China successfully launched the Zhongxing 6E satellite into orbit using the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and the launch mission was a complete success.
This mission is the 496th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
The international version of 'Fengyun Earth' has been officially released
According to the National Meteorological Administration, on November 13th, the international version of 'Fengyun Earth' was officially released. This is a satellite remote sensing comprehensive application platform developed and upgraded by the China Meteorological Administration for international users, following the trial operation of the 'Fengyun Earth' platform in June 2022.
According to the personalized needs of different international users, the 'Fengyun Earth' international version focuses on meteorological core business, strengthens the integration and application of multi-source satellite data, and provides 'high timeliness, intelligence, refinement, and customization' Fengyun meteorological satellite remote sensing application services for international users.
On the basis of building the entire business chain, the 'Fengyun Earth' international version can obtain multi-source data such as meteorological satellites and numerical forecasts in a high time, quickly produce quantitative products, and provide international services in a high time; By utilizing advanced artificial intelligence technology, automated analysis, mining, and modeling of massive meteorological satellite data can be carried out to intelligently identify catastrophic weather and extreme weather events, improving the convenience and practicality of user use; Provide over 100 quantitative and multi-scale products in 5 major categories, including cloud maps, elements, disaster events, climate, and pattern verification, supporting different business scenarios; According to different countries and regions, configure key meteorological elements, observation areas, time ranges, etc. to meet the personalized needs of users in business, scientific research, and public services.
China has successfully launched the new generation of ocean color observation satellite 01 satellite
At 11:55 am on November 16, 2023, China successfully launched the new generation ocean color observation satellite 01 into space using the Long March 2C carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The satellite entered its designated orbit and the launch mission was a complete success.
This mission is the 497th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
The Beidou system has officially joined the International Civil Aviation Organization standards
In early November, the latest revised version of Annex 10 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation officially came into effect, which includes the standards and recommended measures for the BeiDou satellite navigation system. This marks the official accession of the BeiDou system to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, becoming a universal satellite navigation system for global civil aviation.
The inclusion of the Beidou system in the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization is of great significance for promoting the high-quality development of civil aviation and the construction of a strong transportation country. It is conducive to promoting the market-oriented, industrialized, and international application of the Beidou system in the field of civil aviation.
The medium operation test of the turbo pump for the 'Qiaolong No.1' staged combustion and extraction cycle engine has been successfully completed
In early November, Tianhui Aerospace successfully completed multiple turbine pump medium operation tests for the 'Qiaolong 1' engine at the Tongchuan Test Base, and the performance of the oxygen pump, coal oil pump, and turbine all met the system design requirements. This turbo pump is a new type of efficient and lightweight turbo pump designed by Tianhui Aerospace. Its performance is advanced, and its structural weight is only 55% of that of similar products, ranking at the leading level in China. This experiment comprehensively obtained the characteristic parameters of the turbo pump, and a series of key technologies such as the new high-speed shaft sealing technology, pump free blowing technology, and lightweight optimization design technology have been verified.
The 'Qiaolong 1' engine is a staged combustion and extraction cycle liquid rocket engine independently developed by Tianhui Aerospace, with a vacuum thrust of 100 tons. This engine was approved in August this year and is a commercial engine with ultra-high cost-effectiveness. If the engine is compared to the 'heart' of a rocket, then the turbo pump is the 'heart' of the engine. The successful development of the new high-efficiency lightweight turbo pump has laid a solid foundation for the complete test run of the 'Qiaolong 1' engine, helping to further improve the product spectrum of Tianhui Aerospace.
Rocket Pi completes the performance test of an 80kW level ultra-low temperature, high speed, and high power density motor
In mid November, Rocket Pi successfully completed the performance test of an 80kW level ultra-low temperature, high speed, and high power density motor, and the test results met the design specifications.
The Shannon rocket engine developed by Rocket Pi adopts the liquid oxygen methane electric pump boosting technology route. Compared with the traditional technology route, the electric pump boosting engine abandons the traditional mechanical structure in design and instead adopts the design concept of 'electrification' and 'low cost', replacing the mechanical parts such as gas generator and auxiliary valve in the original auxiliary system with electric motor, battery, and electronic control. After optimization, the working principle of the engine has been simplified, the number of components has been significantly reduced, and the overall weight has been significantly reduced. Its characteristics of sustainable upgrading, high-precision control, and low cost are a huge leap in the application of electric pump boosting technology.
Rocket Pi has mastered the motor technology with a power of 80kW, and the maximum speed of the motor can reach 35000rpm, achieving normal operation even in extreme ultra-low temperature (-190~60) ℃ environments. The power density has also reached 9.1kW/kg, which is a leading indicator in China. This technological breakthrough has laid a solid and reliable foundation for the subsequent development of engines and rockets, and China's development of high thrust electric pump turbocharged engine technology has ushered in a new chapter.
Deep Blue Aerospace Engine Complete 40% -100% Online Variable Thrust Test Successfully Completed
On November 20, 2023, the 'Thunder-R1' liquid oxygen kerosene engine of Deep Blue Aerospace successfully underwent a 40% -100% online variable thrust test.
Rocket Academy Hunan Branch Unveils
On November 20th, the unveiling ceremony of the Hunan Branch of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology was held in the Jinxia Economic Development Zone in Changsha. It is reported that the institute will focus on four major business areas in the aerospace field: new aircraft, comprehensive equipment support, joint innovation research and development, and the 'aerospace+' industry. The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology is a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd. It was established on November 16, 1957. The institute has successfully implemented a series of national major engineering launch missions represented by manned spaceflight, lunar exploration, Mars exploration, Beidou navigation, etc.
China's liquid rocket engine achieves 'one test every two days'
At 10:24 am on November 21st, the Baolongyu Experimental Zone of the 165 Institute of the Sixth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group achieved the first 'two day one test' of a high thrust liquid oxygen kerosene engine, with a significant increase in testing capacity compared to before. Efficiently carrying out experimental tasks can not only enhance the comprehensive testing capabilities of China's liquid rocket engines, but also provide support for high-density aerospace launches.
China Successfully Launches Satellite Internet Technology Test Satellite
At 18:00 on November 23, 2023, China successfully launched the satellite Internet technology test satellite at Xichang Satellite Launch Center using the Long March IID carrier rocket. The satellite successfully entered the scheduled orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success.
This mission is the 498th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
The separation test of the fairing of the Dongfang Space Gravity 1 rocket has been successfully completed
In late November, the separation test of the fairing of the Dongfang Space Gravity 1 carrier rocket was successfully completed. This experiment fully assessed the coordination of the separation process, the environmental adaptability of the fairing and instrument cabin, the accuracy of the design of the fairing separation pyrotechnic device system, and the accuracy of the mechanical environmental conditions, verifying the adaptability of the fairing to the maximum envelope of the satellite and the reliability of the separation scheme design.
The diameter of the fairing of Gravity One is 4.2 meters and the height is 9.345 meters, which is equivalent to the height of a three story building. It can accommodate more and larger satellites, enabling Gravity One to have the launch service capabilities of 'one arrow and a half orbit' and 'one arrow and one orbit', and can also meet the launch needs of cargo spacecraft.
The Mozi Survey Telescope Discovered the First Batch of Near Earth Asteroids
The two newly discovered near Earth asteroids, 2023 WX1 and 2023 WB2, by the Mozi Survey Telescope were confirmed by the International Asteroid Center in late November. These are the first near Earth asteroids discovered by the Mozi Survey Telescope.
Near Earth asteroids 2023 WX1 and 2023 WB2 were first observed on November 18, with apparent brightness of 20.8 and 21.0, and apparent velocities of 0.513 degrees per day and 1.006 degrees per day, respectively. After accumulating observation data from multiple stations, the orbits of 2023 WX1 and 2023 WB2 have been determined. The minimum orbital intersection distance between WX1 and Earth in 2023 is 0.0416 astronomical units, with an estimated diameter of approximately 170 meters.
Mozi Sky Survey Telescope is a large field optical imaging telescope jointly developed by the University of Science and Technology of China and the Zijinshan Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The first light image has been released on September 17, 2023. This telescope is also the most powerful equipment for optical time domain sky survey in the northern hemisphere.
Release of the first set of fully configured working photos of China's space station
The panoramic photos of the space station assembly taken by the crew of Shenzhou 16 before returning to the ground using a high-definition camera and orbiting the spacecraft were first released at a manned space engineering delegation and media conference organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on November 28. This is the first time that China has obtained a panoramic image of a space station assembly with Earth as the background in orbit, and it is also the first set of fully configured working photos of China's space station.
