31 March 2018
On 31 March, China launched three Gaofen-1 imaging satellites as part of the country's high-definition Earth observation project. The satellites was launched off on the back of a Long March 4C rocket at 11:22 a.m. Beijing time from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province. It was the 270th flight mission by a Long March carrier rocket.
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video: China puts 1st commercial satellite constellation into use - Mission profile
The launch of three Gaofen-1 high-definition imaging satellites marks the beginning of China's efforts to build a national civil space infrastructure system scheduled to be completed in 2025.
CCTV video footage of the launch, launch preparation and interviews with space officials
China released many videos on the launch and the mission of the Gaofen satellite triplet. Follow the link for more videos.
Sheshan, the south-western suburb of Shanghai is home to several telescopes, optical ones and radio telescopes. The latest addition to the Sheshan telescope park is the 65-m radio telescope, named after the divine winged horse “Tianma” or: “Pegasus” - as it would be called according to the terminology of Greek Mythology. It was built within 4 years after project approval and from day one of operation it was involved in China’s lunar exploration missions as well as single-dish observations of radio spectral lines and pulsars and the European VLBI Network.
The latest issue of GoTaikonauts! newsletter, issue no 20 has a report on a tour to the historical observatory of West Sheshan Mountain and to the “Tianma” Sheshan 65-m radio telescope. Some photos can be found on our Facebook account.
For details on the subscription of GoTaikonauts! newsletter, have a look at the section > Newsletter
30 March 2018
Comprehensive training for astronauts on China's future space station missions is underway, according to Huang Weifen, Deputy Chief Designer at the ACC Astronaut Center of China. The missions for the space station will feature long in-orbit stays, regular extra-vehicular activities, in-orbit assembling and repair of the station, which means more challenges for the selection and training of astronauts, she said. Currently, astronauts have begun the study of space station technology, mechanical arms and extra-vehicular activities. They have also gone through diving training for adaptation, and intensified their strength and stamina training.
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CCTV video footage with story line
30 March 2018
On 30 March, China sent two satellites into space with a single carrier rocket, adding two more members to its domestic BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). The Long March-3B carrier rocket lifted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 1:56 a.m. The launch was the 269th mission for the Long March rocket family. The twin satellites are coded as the 30th and 31st satellites in the BDS.
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CCTV footage can be found here...
31 March 2018
An ocean-observing satellite developed by China and France will be launched in September, according to China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). The China-France Oceanography Satellite will be launched aboard a Long March 2C rocket, which was developed by CALT.
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CFOSAT's CNES mission website
CFOSAT's eoPortal mission website
26 March 2018
Tiangong 1, China's first space lab, should be fully burn up as it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, according to a note by China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) on 26 March.
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28 March: On-Orbit Status Update for Tianggong 1
According to the announcement of China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), on 28 March 2018, Tiangong 1 stayed at an average altitude of about 202.3 km (perigee: 193.9 km; apogee: 210.8 km; inclination: 42.67°). The estimated reentry window is between 31 March and 2 April, Beijing time.
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China's Doomed Space Station Did Some Science Work, Too
27 March 2018
Space Expert Leonard David summarises and analyses Tiangong 1's operational life and highlights which achievements the space lab supported. He also gives a thought-through overview on the facts for the expected re-entry over Easter weekend.
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