A closer look at the Xi'an Satellite Control Centre
17 June 2021
Li Hengnian, Director of China's State Key Laboratory of Astronautic Dynamics, gives an insight into the work of the Xi'an Satellite Control Centre. He explains which satellites are operated from Xi'an and which upgrades were done for the Tianwen 1 mission. To monitor the probe's operations, especially its trajectory on the way to Mars, an AI-based Precise Orbit Determination System was built for the 1st time. Li Hengnian was the Chief Developer. He also helped to recover a Beidou satellite which suddenly lost power after it entered orbit.
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Orchids in orbit: Seeds tested in space
18 June 2021
Almost 30 grams of Nanjing orchid seeds were carried into space for breeding tests, accompanying the Shenzhou 12 mission, which was launched on 17 June. The seeds will stay in space for 3 months. A red orchid variety, Hongcao, features red buds and seedlings, a popular variant from Nanjing county of Fujian province. It was selected and bred by the provincial testing centre for forestry science and technology, which is affiliated with the Fujian Bureau of Forestry.
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Shenzhou 12 crew entered Chinese Space Station on 17 June
17 June 2021
The taikonauts Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo entered the Tianhe core module of the CSS on 17 June at 18:48 BJT.
The SZ-12 crew space craft completed a fast-track automated rendezvous and docking with the orbiting Tianhe module. The crew is now preparing their daily routine in space.
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Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng congratulates members of SZ-12 mission
9th group of Yaogan satellites launched
18 June 2021
China launched a new group of remote-sensing satellites on board the CZ-2C from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre on 18 June.
Take-off was at 14:30 BJT. This is the 9th group belonging to the Yaogan 30 family. Also aboard was Tianqi 14, a satellite belonging to the Tianqi constellation.
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