China has successfully launched the second satellite to aid Egypt
On December 4, 2023, at 12:10 am, China successfully launched the Egypt II satellite using the Long March-2C carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, and the satellite entered its designated orbit. The launch mission was a complete success. This mission also carried and launched two satellites, A and B, from the second group of Xingchi 1. The second satellite aid to Egypt is mainly used for the land and resources census of Egypt, to meet the needs of Egyptian users in fields such as agriculture, forestry, urban construction, environment, and disaster monitoring. The two satellites launched are mainly used to provide commercial remote sensing services to users.
Longyun Engine Completed Flight Profile Calibration Hot Test
In early December, the Longyun engine of Kyushu Yunjian (Beijing) Space Technology Co., Ltd. has completed flight profile calibration hot test and is ready for delivery to customers.
The 39th batch of scientific data released by Chang'e-4
On December 4, 2023, the ground application system of the lunar exploration project publicly released the 39th batch of scientific data from Chang'e-4. The data released this time is provided by the ground application system, including 1043.6MB of scientific data obtained from the four scientific payloads carried on the Chang'e-4 lander and rover (Yutu 2 lunar rover) during the 57th to 59th lunar days (July 13, 2023 to September 21, 2023). The sixth batch of scientific exploration data from Tianwen-1 has been publicly released
The sixth batch of scientific exploration data from Tianwen-1 has been publicly released
On December 4, 2023, the ground application system of the first Mars exploration mission publicly released scientific data obtained from five scientific payloads, including high-resolution cameras and medium resolution cameras, carried on the Tianwen-1 spacecraft from April to June 2023. The total amount of data released in this batch is 182.6GB.
The successful launch of the Gu Shen Xing 1 Yao Jiu carrier rocket
At 7:33 am on December 5, 2023, the Gu Shen Xing 1 Yao Jiu carrier rocket was successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China, successfully sending the Tianyan 16 and Xingchi 1A satellites into the designated orbit. The launch mission was a complete success. Rocket launch successful
China Successfully Launches Satellite Internet Technology Test Satellite
At 3:24 on December 6, 2023, China's Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center successfully launched the satellite Internet technology test satellite by using the Jielong III carrier rocket in the sea area near Yangjiang, Guangdong. The satellite successfully entered the scheduled orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success.
The successful launch of the Zhuque 2 Yaosan carrier rocket
At 07:39 on December 9, 2023, the Zhuque 2 Y3 carrier rocket was launched from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, successfully launching the Honghu satellite, Tianyi 33 satellite, and Honghu 2 satellite into the designated orbit. The launch mission was a complete success.
此次任务是朱雀二号运载火箭第3次飞行。
China Successfully Launches Remote Sensing Satellite No. 39
At 9:58 am on December 10, 2023, China successfully launched the Remote Sensing 39 satellite into orbit using the Long March-2D carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and the launch mission was a complete success.
此次任务是长征系列运载火箭第500次飞行。
The second flight test of the reusable verification rocket Starry Glory Hyperbolic 2 has been successfully completed
On December 10, 2023 at 17:07, Beijing Starry Glory Space Technology Co., Ltd.'s Hyperbolic 2 Reusable Liquid Oxygen Methane Verification Rocket (code SQX-2Y) conducted its second flight test mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China. The test flight altitude was 343.12m, the flight time was 63.15s, the target lateral displacement was 50m, the landing position accuracy was about 0.295m, the landing speed was 1.1m/s, the landing attitude angle was about 1.18 °, and the rolling angle was about 4.4 °. The rocket landed smoothly and accurately, and the state was safely restored. The flight test mission was a complete success.
China Successfully Launches Remote Sensing Satellite 41
At 21:41 on December 15, 2023, China successfully launched the Remote Sensing 41 satellite into orbit using the Long March 5 Y6 carrier rocket at the Wenchang Space Launch Site, and the launch mission was a complete success. This satellite is a high orbit optical remote sensing satellite mainly used for land survey, crop yield estimation, environmental governance, meteorological warning and forecasting, and comprehensive disaster prevention and reduction. It can provide information services for national economic construction.
This mission is the 502nd flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
The semi system hot test of Dongfang Space's self-developed 'Force-85' hundred ton liquid oxygen kerosene engine has been successfully completed
In early December, the semi system hot test and assessment of the 'Force-85' hundred ton liquid oxygen kerosene engine independently developed by Dongfang Space achieved complete success.
The 'Force-85' engine adopts liquid oxygen kerosene propellant, gas generator circulation, coaxial turbine pump, and needle bolt injector, which has the characteristics of high reliability, large thrust, reusable, non-toxic and environmentally friendly, and good economy. The ground thrust is 85 tons, vacuum thrust is 95 tons, vacuum specific impulse is 325 seconds, and the thrust adjustment range is 50% -110%, which can meet the power requirements for the recovery of large liquid rocket core stages in 'Gravity II'.
China Successfully Launches Hyperbolic 1 Commercial Launch Vehicle
At 15:00 on December 17, 2023, the Hyperbola 1 commercial carrier rocket was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China, successfully launching the Di Er 1 satellite into its designated orbit. The launch mission was a complete success.
This mission is the sixth flight of the Hyperbola 1 commercial carrier rocket.
The crew of Shenzhou 17 successfully completed its first extravehicular activity
On December 21, 2023 at 21:35, after approximately 7.5 hours of extravehicular activity, Shenzhou 17 astronauts Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, and Jiang Xinlin worked closely together, with the cooperation and support of space station robotic arms and ground researchers, to complete established tasks such as repairing the solar wings of the Tianhe core module. Astronauts Tang Hongbo and Tang Shengjie have safely returned to the Wentian experimental module, and the extravehicular activity has been a complete success. China's first astronaut to return to the space station, Tang Hongbo, took another spacewalk after two years. Astronaut Tang Shengjie has become the youngest astronaut in China to perform an extravehicular mission so far.
Deep Blue Space's Recyclable Reusable Carrier Rocket Landing Support Leg Expansion and Retrieval Test Successfully Achieved
In mid December, the landing leg deployment test of the 'Nebula-1' liquid recyclable reusable carrier rocket of Deep Blue Space achieved a complete success. This round of tests simulated the real usage environment of the landing legs of the 'Nebula-1' rocket, verifying that the 'Nebula-1' rocket can achieve unlocking, deployment, and locking functions in different postures at different heights of the trajectory. This provides reliable technical support for the high-altitude vertical recovery (VTVL) test of the 'Nebula-1' sub stage rocket of Deep Blue Space and the first entry and recovery of the entire rocket.
本轮“星云-1”液体可回收复用运载火箭着陆支腿展收试验的成功，进一步加速了深蓝航天液氧煤油可回收复用运载火箭的研发进展。
The wind tunnel test of Zhongke Aerospace Power Arrow 2 liquid carrier rocket has achieved complete success
In mid December, the wind tunnel test of the medium liquid launch vehicle Lijian II, which is currently under research by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, was successfully completed. This test comprehensively reviewed and supported the correctness of the numerical predictions in the top-level design of the Lijian II launch vehicle, and made refined data corrections to the aerodynamic model.
Lijian 2 is the first domestically developed universal core stage bundled rocket. Compared to the independent core stage configuration, the booster has significant aerodynamic interference, and the uncertainty of aerodynamic load distribution is particularly evident. Through this wind tunnel test, detailed local aerodynamic coefficients near the booster cone and between the booster and core stages were obtained. The aerodynamic model used in this wind tunnel test adopts refined design, fully identifying the aerodynamic characteristics of protrusions on the surface of the arrow body, and obtaining aerodynamic data and load distribution patterns close to the actual flight state. In addition, through digital technology, experimental data is used to assist in correcting simulation mathematical models, thereby improving simulation calculation accuracy, reducing errors, and shortening the rocket development cycle.
China has successfully launched the Tianmu 1 meteorological constellation with 11-14 stars
At 09:00 on December 25, 2023, China successfully launched the Tianmu 1 Meteorological Constellation 11-14 using the Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, and the satellite entered its designated orbit. The launch mission was a complete success. This satellite is mainly used to provide commercial meteorological data services
The Starry Glory 100 ton Deep Variable Thrust Liquid Oxygen Methane Engine has successfully completed 6 start-up ignition tests!
From December 19th to 25th, 2023, the JD-2 engine independently developed by Beijing Starry Glory Space Technology Co., Ltd. completed a total of 6 start ignition tests, including 2 single start ignition tests, 1 secondary start test, and 1 secondary start+variable thrust test, successfully completing the annual research and testing tasks.
The engine used for this round of test is the second JD-2 engine. Compared with the first engine, this engine has been improved and optimized in terms of water hammer after starting and shutting down the pump, waterproof and moisture-proof of the electronic control valve actuator, multiple ignition/starting gas usage for ignition and starting. It is equipped with a new high-precision, fast response pressure and temperature sensor and engine controller for deep variable thrust control. The test results are in line with expectations, and the engine controller is coordinated with the engine linkage. The sensor performance meets the requirements of engine variable thrust control.
China successfully launched and tested the 24th C satellite
On December 26, 2023, at 6:39 am, China's Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center successfully launched the Test 24C satellite using the Long March 11 carrier rocket in the waters near Yangjiang, Guangdong. Samsung successfully entered the designated orbit and the launch mission was a complete success. Satellites are mainly used for space science and technology experiments.
This mission is the 503rd flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
China has successfully launched its 57th and 58th BeiDou navigation satellites
At 11:26 am on December 26, 2023, China successfully launched its 57th and 58th Beidou navigation satellites using the Long March 3B carrier rocket and the upper stage of the Expedition 1 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. This group of satellites belongs to the medium circular Earth orbit satellite and is the first MEO satellite launched after the completion and opening of China's Beidou-3 global satellite navigation system. After entering orbit and completing in 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 intelligent payload. After entering the network, it will further improve the reliability and service performance of the BeiDou system, which is of great significance for supporting stable operation and large-scale application of the system, laying the foundation for the design of the next generation of BeiDou satellites.
The Beidou navigation satellite and supporting carrier rocket launched this time were jointly developed by the China Academy of Space Technology and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, affiliated with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. This is the 504th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
Hongqing Technology Achieves China's First Krypton Gas Working Medium Hall Electric Propulsion in Orbit Application
At 6:49 am on December 26, 2023, the 'Jinwu-200' (JW-200) Krypton working fluid Hall electric propulsion independently developed by Shanghai Blue Arrow Hongqing Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as Hongqing Technology) successfully ignited on the Honghu 2 satellite, marking the first time China has achieved in orbit work of Krypton working fluid Hall electric propulsion, filling the gap in the in orbit application of Krypton working fluid Hall electric propulsion in China.
The 'Jinwu series' electric propulsion products are a new generation satellite power system independently developed by Hongqing Technology, focusing on the characteristics of low cost, high reliability, and high performance required for low orbit satellite networking. They support the requirements of large-scale orbit change, long-term orbit maintenance, and high reliability orbit departure. This is the first time in China to use innovative technologies such as thruster permanent magnet excitation, 3D printing pipeline modules, and industrial component PPCU in orbit, achieving the first successful ignition of Krypton gas working fluid Hall electric propulsion in orbit.
China has successfully launched the Tianmu 1 meteorological constellation with 19-22 stars
At 14:50 on December 27, 2023, China successfully launched the Tianmu 1 Meteorological Constellation 19-22 using the Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, and the satellite entered its designated orbit. The launch mission was a complete success. This satellite is mainly used to provide commercial meteorological data services.
This mission is the 24th flight of the Kuaishou 1A carrier rocket.
The joint debugging test of the power system on the Lijian 2 low-temperature rocket has achieved complete success
In late December, the joint debugging and testing of the power system of the medium liquid carrier rocket Lijian-2 low-temperature rocket under research by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation was successfully completed.
This experiment includes three major stages of exercise: the transportation and erection process of the rocket body, the filling and venting process, and the closed-loop logic control and timing control process of the power system. It verifies the compatibility of four interfaces: the rocket ground mechanical interface, the power system and ground filling and gas supply system interface, the engine and rocket booster transportation system interface, and the power system and ground measurement and control system interface. Key data of low-temperature liquid rocket power systems such as pre cooling, pre pressurization, and emission were obtained. This is a comprehensive system and process training before the power system test drive.
This system is a single core 30 ton module, and the rocket body adopts a strategy of overall lifting and erection, unmanned operation after liquid oxygen injection, automatic connector detachment, prying installation and gas supply and distribution system, and universal ground measurement and control system. It simplifies the facilities and equipment of the ground support system, promotes the reduction of launch costs for liquid rockets, and moves towards a fast test and launch route.
China's first commercial space launch site, Launch Station 1, has been officially completed
On December 29th, the first commercial space launch site under construction in China, the Hainan International Commercial Space Launch Center Launch Station 1, was officially completed. This launch station is a dedicated station for the new generation of medium rocket Long March 8 in China. It is the core key to forming the launch capability of the launch center and an important facility for ensuring major national missions.
The No.1 launch station includes 11 types of equipment and facilities such as fixed service towers and launch platforms. Compared with traditional launch stations, it eliminates the diversion groove and adopts a modular steel structure launch tower scheme, reducing the construction period by half. For the first time, advanced technologies such as ground guided cone drainage and extrusion spray cooling and noise reduction were adopted, overcoming the challenge of '7-day launch and 7-day recovery'.
China Successfully Launches Satellite Internet Technology Test Satellite
At 8:13 on December 30, 2023, China successfully launched the satellite Internet technology test satellite by using the Long March 2C carrier rocket at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The satellite successfully entered the scheduled orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success.
This mission is the 505th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
