Chang'e 2 (LM-3C launched on Oct. 1st, 2010)

[Zipi]

Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Xichang, China

A Chinese Long March 3C rocket will launch Chang'e 2, China's second lunar orbiter. The probe follows the mission of Chang'e 1, which surveyed the moon between 2007 and 2009.

Chang'e Program Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e_program
Chang'e 1 Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e_1
Chang'e 2 Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e_2
Space.com Article about Chinese Moon Program: http://www.space.com/news/china-moon-ro ... 00316.html
Space.com Article about coming Chang'e 2 Launch: http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ch ... 00910.html
Astronautix Chang'e Page: http://www.astronautix.com/craft/change.htm
Google Search for Chang'e 2: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=chang%27e+2
Official Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP) Site: http://www.clep.org.cn

Long March 3A (CZ-3A) Launch Vehicle (sorry about incorrect launch vehicle information at the moment!)

Long March 3A Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March_3A
Long March Rocket 3 Family Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March_3_rocket_family
Nice CZ-3A info collection by Daniel Marin: http://danielmarin.blogspot.com/2010/08 ... -ig-1.html
Astronautix CZ-3A Page: http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/cz3a.htm
Great Wall Industry Corporation Long March 3A Page: http://www.cgwic.com/LaunchServices/Lau ... /LM3A.html
CALT Long March 3A Page: http://www.calt.com/english/ps/20100419 ... ac708.html
LM-3A User Manual from GlobalSecurity.org: http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/lib ... 999/3a.htm

Long March 3A First Stage:

Four YF-21C Engines burning N[sub]2[/sub]O[sub]4[/sub]/UDMH.

YF-21C information searching in process... Meanwhile:
Astronautix YF-20 Page: http://www.astronautix.com/fam/yf20.htm
Astronautix YF-20B Page: http://www.astronautix.com/engines/yf20b.htm

Long March 3A Second Stage:

One YF-24E engine block consisting of one YF-22E (Main) and four YF-23C (Vernier), all burning N[sub]2[/sub]O[sub]4[/sub]/UDMH.

Astronautix YF-22/23 Page: http://www.astronautix.com/engines/yf2223.htm
Astronautix YF-22 Page: http://www.astronautix.com/engines/yf22.htm
Astronautix YF-23 Page: http://www.astronautix.com/engines/yf23.htm

Long March 3A Third Stage:

H-18 third stage has one YF-75 (two combustion chambers) engine burning LOX/LH[sub]2[/sub].

Astronautix H-18 Page: http://www.astronautix.com/stages/czh18.htm
Astronautix YF-75 Page: http://www.astronautix.com/engines/yf75.htm

Above image seems a bit inaccurate... However it is the best I could find.



Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC)

XSLC Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xichang_Sa ... nch_Center
Astronautix XSLC Page: http://www.astronautix.com/sites/xichang.htm
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=28.24601 ... 102.026556

 

[JonClarke]

Re: Oct., Long March 3A - Chang'e 2

Great news! I am looking forward to a good mission.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3A - Chang'e 2

http://www.spacedaily.com : China Ready For Another Lunar Encounter

by Morris Jones

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Sep 27, 2010

China could launch its second lunar probe within days. The Chang'e 2 spacecraft was originally built as a back-up to China's first lunar orbiter, Chang'e 1, which was launched successfully in 2007. Rather than mothballing the spare spacecraft, China has sensibly planned a follow-up mission that will examine the Moon even more closely than the first.

Chang'e 2 has been fairly camera-shy for the media, and we have received only a basic disclosure of its mission. We can expect that it will look pretty much the same as Chang'e 1, a boxy orbiter with large solar panel wings. Some of the instruments have been changed, and the overall mission plan is also being tweaked.

Some changes will take place soon after launch. China is planning a more direct climb out of Earth orbit to the Moon, which will see the spacecraft reach its goal in roughly five days. This is less than half the transit time of the first mission.

Chinese officials claim that they have greater confidence in their ability to track and navigate the spacecraft, which leads to a faster trip. This is fair enough, but it will also possibly reduce the exposure of Chang'e 2 to Earth's radiation belts. This could help the longevity of some instruments, but it's probably not a core reason for the change.

Reaching the Moon, Chang'e 2 will be placed in an orbit "100 kilometres closer to the Moon", according to a Xinhua report. The math is simple. Chang'e 1 was placed in an orbit of roughly 200 kilometres, so we can expect Chang'e 2 to orbit at roughly 100 kilometres above the surface. The orbital altitude has halved!

This means that Chang'e 2 is China's first "close encounter" probe with the Moon. This is a fairly low orbit that will allow very close studies of the surface. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is currently in a similar orbit.

...

Xinhua has also stated that Chang'e 2 will photograph the landing site planned for the Chang'e 3 robot lander, which is still apparently slated for 2013. This suggests that the landing site has already been tentatively chosen, or at the very least, China now has a short list of candidate sites.

...

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3A - Chang'e 2

www.physorg.com : China could launch lunar probe on Friday: state media

September 28, 2010

China is making final preparations to launch its second lunar probe, possibly as soon as Friday, when the nation marks 61 years of communist rule, state media reported Tuesday.

A launch rocket carrying the Chang'e-2, which will go into orbit within 15 kilometres (nine miles) of the moon, has been set up in the southwestern province of Sichuan, the official China Daily reported.

Chief programme engineers have arrived at the satellite launch centre in the city of Xichang to carry out final tests, and staff at the centre have said that barring complications, the launch could come on October 1, it said.

Friday is China's national day, in celebration of Mao Zedong's proclamation of the founding of the People's Republic in 1949.

Meteorologists have forecast clear skies in the Xichang area from Thursday, the report said.

Space programme officials had said previously that the mission would be launched in October, but no precise date had been given.

...

 

[mopy]

Chang'e 2 Launch live on TV....

http://english.cntv.cn/live/

Every news hour CCTV (Chinese TV in English) has updates on Chang'e, 2 along with other world news. It's an indication that the launch is near. Some say it'll be Friday but that depends on the weather at Xichang. Presently it's cloudy and raining. It's a good possibility that CCTV will have a live broadcast. They did for Chang'e 1 and for the last manned Shenzhou flight...

Whoops, they just announced that they will be carrying the launch live. No date or time specified though... they speak in terms of "days"....

China time is 12 hrs ahead of EST (but everyone knows that)...

Enjoy and good luck on the launch....!

(Side note: I receive it clear and smooth on Internet Explorer. Not so on Mozilla... :?: )

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3A - Chang'e 2

Use this link to watch CCTV News Live.

I suggest using VLC player and plugin for your browser, works as a charm for me.

Thanks for the update, and please, if you see something that is not here, please alert us

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3A - Chang'e 2

http://www.planetary.org : China to launch Chang'E 2 on Friday, October 1

By Emily Lakdawalla

Sep. 28, 2010 | 10:14 PDT | 17:14 UTC

Via the Lunar Listserv this morning I learned of the impending launch of a new lunar orbiter, Chang'E 2, planned for this Friday, October 1, from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan. If I understand things correctly, most of the spacecraft is a duplicate of Chang'E 1 -- a "backup" spacecraft to the original, perhaps an engineering model -- though there are some key changes to instrumentation and to the mission operations plan. The most important change seems to be a lower orbit: Chang'E 1 operated in a 200-kilometer orbit, while Chang'E 2 will fly at only 100 kilometers, which has obvious implications for the quality and resolution of the science data.

Here are some other key differences between Chang'E 1 and Chang'E 2, as summarized by Qian Huang of the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory and Yong-Chun Zheng of the NAOC:

...

Zheng also remarked that "The mission goals of CE-2 will be focused into the high resolution image for the future landing site of CE-3 lunar lander and rover. The key technology about soft landing on the Moon will be tested in the CE-2 mission. The success of CE-2 will provide important technical basis for the successful implementation of China's future lunar exploration." There are unconfirmed rumors (not mentioned by either Zheng or Huang) that this spacecraft will deploy some sort of lander -- maybe a hard impactor or probe.

Japanese blogger Junya Terazono is collecting reports in Chinese and Japanese media about the impending launch. Here's the Google translation of his blog. He reports that the launch countdown process has already begun.

 

[mopy]

Re: Oct., Long March 3A - Chang'e 2

According to the latest CCTV news the booster will be a Long March 3C, not the 3A. The 3C is more powerful and evidently uses a less toxic fuel. It also has two strap-on boosters. Chang'e 2 will be the fifth launch of this booster. The first four launches have been successful...

 

[mopy]

Re: Oct., Long March 3A - Chang'e 2

According to the latest CCTV news the booster will be a Long March 3C, not the 3A. The 3C is more powerful and evidently uses a less toxic fuel. It also has two strap-on boosters. Chang'e 2 will be the fifth launch of this booster. The first four launches have been successful...

Presently there is a live show "Journey to the Moon" on CCTV (link above). A detail show on Chang'e 2. It's reported that fueling is about to begin (lox), indicating that launch will be Friday. They talk about a window from 7pm Friday to Sunday (whatever that means)....

 

[Zipi]

Re: Oct., Long March 3A - Chang'e 2

According to the latest CCTV news the booster will be a Long March 3C, not the 3A. The 3C is more powerful and evidently uses a less toxic fuel. It also has two strap-on boosters. Chang'e 2 will be the fifth launch of this booster. The first four launches have been successful...

Yes, I have noticed this some days ago... But haven't still had time to do the research/modify for my launch announcement post. Sorry!

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

This looks very 3C, check this slide show, thanks to :

http://www.planetary.org : Chang'E 2 launches in less than 24 hours, weather permitting

By Emily Lakdawalla

Sep. 30, 2010 | 10:04 PDT | 17:04 UTC

Here are a few photos of Chang'E 2 meeting its launch vehicle in Xichang, which I got from this lovely slide show. It's a beautiful view of the spacecraft. I don't see any obvious lump or bump that could be a probe or impactor mounted on it -- but there is one face of the cube-shaped spacecraft (apart from its base, which is attached to the launch rocket) -- that is not shown in the photos. Maybe it's attached over there.

Chang'E 2 prepares for launch
The Chang'E 2 lunar orbiter meets its launch vehicle, preparing for an October 1 launch. Credit: SINA.com

The People's Daily website appears to be doing a huge amount of live news and coverage in Chinese; there is a small amount of information available on their English-language website. CNTV has a more updated English-language website. The launch is supposed to happen on October 1 at 19:00 local time / 11:00 UTC / 04:00 my time -- that is, in fewer than 18 hours -- but some of the Google translated messages on the People's Daily website seem to indicate foul weather in the area. I'm not sure though.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

www.esa.int : ESA to track China’s second Moon probe

30 September 2010


Antenna Kourou

The Chinese Chang’E-2 satellite is scheduled to be launched on 1 October from the Chinese Xichang Satellite Launch Center. ESA will provide tracking services.

...

As for Chang’E-1, the 15-m European Space Tracking (ESTRACK) station at Kourou, French Guiana, will be used to track Chang’E-2. Engineers at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), in Darmstadt, Germany, will be in vocal communication with Chinese mission controllers at the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center (BACC).

ESOC support will start during the cruise phase to the Moon, continuing through lunar orbital insertion and two manoeuvres to lower the spacecraft into its operational orbit. This is foreseen to last until 10 October.

Engineers and ground control experts from ESOC have spent months preparing to support the mission. A series of simulations has been performed between ESOC, Kourou and BACC.

"There has been a lot of preparation on the ESTRACK side and now we’re ready to go," said John Reynolds, Operations Manager for ESTRACK in support of Chang'E-2.

...

"I am pleased that the ESA’s ESTRACK network is a resource that benefits not only the Agency but also all space science through such international cooperation," said Erik Soerensen, Head of the Ground Facilities External Services Section at ESOC.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

news.xinhuanet.com : Examination confirms rocket ready to launch China's 2nd lunar probe Chang'e II

2010-10-01 16:04:50

Technicians examine the Long March CZ-3C rocket, which will boost Chang'e II to a trans-lunar orbit, in Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Xichang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Sept. 30, 2010. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

XICHANG, Sichuan, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- A comprehensive examination has shown the Long March 3C rocket is in normal and sound condition for carrying the satellite Chang'e II, China's second lunar probe, to its planned orbit in three hours, the launch headquarters said.

The launch is scheduled for 6:59:57 p.m. Friday at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

...

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

It is now on CCTV Live

 

[mopy]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

http://www.esa.int : ESA to track China’s second Moon probe

30 September 2010


Antenna Kourou

The Chinese Chang’E-2 satellite is scheduled to be launched on 1 October from the Chinese Xichang Satellite Launch Center. ESA will provide tracking services.

...

As for Chang’E-1, the 15-m European Space Tracking (ESTRACK) station at Kourou, French Guiana, will be used to track Chang’E-2. Engineers at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), in Darmstadt, Germany, will be in vocal communication with Chinese mission controllers at the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center (BACC).

ESOC support will start during the cruise phase to the Moon, continuing through lunar orbital insertion and two manoeuvres to lower the spacecraft into its operational orbit. This is foreseen to last until 10 October.

Engineers and ground control experts from ESOC have spent months preparing to support the mission. A series of simulations has been performed between ESOC, Kourou and BACC.

"There has been a lot of preparation on the ESTRACK side and now we’re ready to go," said John Reynolds, Operations Manager for ESTRACK in support of Chang'E-2.

...

"I am pleased that the ESA’s ESTRACK network is a resource that benefits not only the Agency but also all space science through such international cooperation," said Erik Soerensen, Head of the Ground Facilities External Services Section at ESOC.

I was not aware of this. Good to know...!

 

[mopy]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

It is now on CCTV Live

It's quite comprehensive and detailed. I'm pleasantly surprised... Good Luck to Chang'e 2...!!!!

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

Launched.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

Second stage separation.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

Pretty cool to see the guy actually push "The Big Red Button"

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

Yea, kinda romantic

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

3rd stage ignition started.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

Separation from the 3d stage.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

news.xinhuanet.com : China's 2nd lunar probe Chang'e-2 blasts off

2010-10-01 19:03:55

Long March 3C rocket carrying China's second unmanned lunar probe, Chang'e II, lifts off from the launch pad at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, at 18:59:57 (Beijing time) on Oct. 1, 2010. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

XICHANG, Sichuan, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- China launched its second unmanned lunar probe, Chang'e-2 on Friday, inaugurating the second phase of a three-step moon mission, which will culminate in a soft-landing on the moon.

At 6:59:57 p.m., the satellite blasted off on a Long March 3C carrier rocket from No. 2 launch tower at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

"Chang'e-2 lays foundation for the soft-landing on the moon and further exploration of outer space," said Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar orbiter project.

Chang'e-2 entered the orbit with a perigee of 200 kilometers and apogee of 380,000 kilometers as scheduled. There it separated from the carrier rocket.

It was the first time that a Chinese lunar probe directly entered the earth-moon transfer orbit without orbiting the earth first.

"It is a major breakthrough of the rocket design, as it saves energy used by the satellite and speeds up the journey to the lunar orbit," said Pang Zhihao, a researcher with the China Academy of Space Technology.

The lunar satellite is expected to take about 112 hours, or almost five days, to arrive at its lunar orbit, faster than the 12 days taken by the Chang'e-1 three years ago.

"It travels faster and closer to the moon, and it will capture clear pictures," Wu said.

Chang'e-2, named after a legendary Chinese goddess of moon, will orbit 100 kilometers above the moon, compared with 200 kilometers for Chang'e-1.

...

 

[JonClarke]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

Excellent!

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Oct., Long March 3C - Chang'e 2

They had great coverage, very clear picture, good show

Emily Lakdawalla snatched a launch video and more pictures :

http://www.planetary.org : Chang'E 2 launches to the Moon

Oct. 1, 2010 | 09:31 PDT | 16:31 UTC

By Emily Lakdawalla

Congratulations to China! Chang'E 2 successfully lifted off at 10:59:57 UTC today, October 1, 2010 aboard a Long March 3C rocket. Unlike its predecessor, Chang'E 2 rocketed directly to a lunar transfer orbit and will arrive at the Moon only 112 hours after launch (according to the Xinhua news agency). That would put its lunar arrival at about 03:00 on Wednesday, October 6. Here is some really terrific video coverage of the launch from CCTV. I'm sorry that it autoplays; I can't figure out how to prevent it from doing that.

(can't put it here)

Here are a few snapshots from the launch, taken from the wonderful slideshows at SINA.com.

...

...

...

Chang'E 2 launches
Chang'E 2 launched successfully toward the Moon at 10:59:57 on October 1, 2010. Credit: SINA.com

...

For a little more information on Chang'E 2, see my previous entries here and here.

www.planetary.org : Lou Friedman congratulates China
...

"Congratulations to the Chinese National Space Agency and our colleagues at the Chinese Academy of Space Technology on their new mission to the Moon. We look forward to hearing more about it, and about the results from their previous mission. In a few weeks NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden will be visiting Beijing. This mission and new U.S. space station and space exploration plans form a basis for international cooperation in advancing the exploration of the solar system."