Has
China tested the manned Vehicle yet? [1/23/99]
Chen Lan : Both the spacecraft and the new launcher will be
tested this year. Just wait several month! I believe this
year will be a "big year" for Chinese space
program. The successful rescue of FY-2A is a good start!
[2/12/99] Michael Lou : Hi everyone:
I hope that China will indeed have the guts and the
determination to launch a manned space flight; I believe
that the technology and the heavy launch vehicles are all
in place. Now the question is; Is the Chinese leadership
tough enough to give the go-ahead, and to broadcast the
historic launch live. I truly hope so, because I believe
that China will ultimatelt succeed, even if there is
failure along the route. Disasters abound in any march to
space, and Beijing should not feel ashamed or humiliated
if the launch fail on the first try. I, for one, will be
rooting for China, through all of its failures and
successes.
GO CHINA, for the sake of all Chinese people around the
world!
Some
chinese satellites [1/24/99]
lkshen : I have read an article in a magazine, which said
that there is a project of navigation satellite in our
country, named Bei3 Dou3 1 Hao4. This is a bi-satellite
system.
What's the name of our FSW? Obviously, they have the
military role. Jian1 Bing1? I have found in a book that
there was a kind of electronic reconnaissance satellite
in the early years, named Chang2 Kong1 1 Hao4.
Is there any information about these satellites?
[1/27/99] Chen Lan: What I know about these satellites:
Bei dou:
The whole system consists of two GEO satellites. It
provides only "local positioning" feature. No
launch date set.
Jian Bing:
Only a few FSWs were assigned the name "Jian
Bing". I think "Jian Bing" is primarily
for military purpose. No officail name for the whole FSW
series.
Chang Kong:
I have no idea about that. Maybe they are Fengbao
launched military satellites in 70s.
Unmanned
Lunar mission--- any details? [1/24/99]
santa : I remember a while back someone mentioned a
possible Chinese unmanned mission to send a probe to the
moon, is this ture or is it just my mind playing
tricks???
P.S- - Excellent site Chen Lan, this is my first post
here, and whether if Project 921 is a success or a
failure (and we all pray very hard that it won't) your
site will become THE most popular on the net when it
launches!
[1/24/99] Chen Lan : Unmanned Lunar mission:
I believe the study on lunar/planet missions has been
underway for many years. But there are no timetable. It
is hard to find information on the officail media --
comparing to relatively more info on manned mission.
Project 921:
I've waited for more than 20 years. Just pray...
My site:
Thanks. In fact, I hope I can close the site someday,
when the official CNSA (China National Space
Administration) site appears that provides better and
more exciting news, pictures... similar to current NASA
site.
EW
satellite [1/24/99]
? : What exactly is an Early Warning (EW) satellite?
If the name Fenghuo suggests something I think it will be
an EW sat?
[1/27/99] Chen Lan : Early warning satellite is different from
comsat. They should be equipped with sensors to detect
the missile firing. The official report says Fenghuo-1 is
a comsat.
China's
1st Manned Flight on Oct. 1?! [2/11/99]
JT : http://www.msnbc.com/news/240463.asp
China has been energetically developing its own space
program and promised to put its first astronaut in orbit
by Oct. 1 this year,?he said. ?f they had been interested in
flying on our station, they would have done it a long
time ago.?
[2/13/99] Chen Lan : Most likely it is an unmanned test. But I would
be happy to see a manned launch!
[2/16/99] fan : I hope there will be no outside pressure to put
a man into the orbit by Oct 1. I fear errors will occur
if you rush. The first CZ3B fiasco immediately came to my
mind.
[2/17/99] Chen Lan : Totally agree
"Shuttle"
or "shuttle" [2/15/99]
HWT : Confusing.Up until now, all references to a
"shuttle" were assumed to be the small
"s" type, such as the Russians referred to
Soyuz craft for shuttling cosmonauts back and forth. But
assuming that the maiden unmanned test of the 921 module
is to take place this year, the quoted text in AFP is
very confusing. "Unmanned maiden flight at the end
of next year" souds like a completely different
craft. "Reusable"? Is the 921 module reusable
in any sense? "Lift Problems" is he referring
to the CZ-2E, or something completely different? Can you
shed any light on this Chen Lan?
[2/17/99] Chen Lan: I had thought the "shuttle" in AFP
report is just the Project 921 craft. But now I turn to
an another possibility. The "shuttle" is really
a reusable Shuttle but only a scaled prototype like the
Japanese test vehicle in 1996 (failed). There are rumors
since 1980s that China is developing a reusable
spacescraft. "Lift problem" is not from the
shuttle program scientist. Instead, it is from previous
report that I once read before and only refer to Project
921 vehicle. I don't think there are any "left
problem" since 1990 when 2E made operational. It may
be a report error since the beginning.
[2/17/99] HWT : Thanks CL, Just a few questions for you to think
about:
A scale mock-up like the HOPE is unlikely to carry
"dozens" of experiments, and would not need to
be announced at all. (Remember the Russians sent mock-ups
of the Buran into orbit years before the unmanned maiden
flight). Also the mock-up would not be man-capable, not
really an "unmanned maiden flight". My personal
suspicion is that since 1992 China has been in active
development of a "Sanger" or "Hope"
type shuttle designed to ferry Humans to orbit, not to
deliver payload (unlike US shuttle and Buran).
[2/17/99] HWT : This sort of approach would make a cheaper,
lighter craft that would be easier to launch (no need for
an Energiya size booster, and the shuttle engines would
be smaller than those of the US shuttle. An external
LH/LOX tank and NO4/UDMH boosters should be sufficient
for LEO. Given the roughly 20 year development period
given this vehichle, it is not unreasonable for it to be
at such a stage today. It is also consistent with
statements saying that the Chinese program is similar to
the European and Japanese. The 921 craft, light shuttle,
and modular heavy-lift rocket system would be an ideal
strategy for vaulting China to international respect, and
proving wrong the "Chinese can't..." school of
analysis common in the US.
[2/17/99] Chen Lan : Comments:
1. AFP report said the engineer is preparing a Gamma Ray
detector on the "shuttle". It is unlikely for
both scale model or full size shuttle. However,
"dozens" of experiments are essential for a
shuttle prototype test, including astronomical device for
navigation. So I still believe it is a small mock-up test
similar to the failed Japanese HYFLEX
(http://yyy.tksc.nasda.go.jp/Home/This/This-e/hyflex_e.html).
2. China may have started the Sanger type reusable
vehicle study since 80s but no evidence shows it has been
beyond R&D phase.
3. It is unbelievable that China carrys out two manned
programs at the same time. No doubt that 921 program is
to build a Soyuz class manned craft instead of a shuttle.
4. The recent reports that China finished several sepcial
wind tunnels show the development of the reusable
spacecraft has just started.
5. I don't think The 921 craft, light shuttle and the
heavy launcher is an ideal strategy. Why maintain two
transportation systems? Instead, it is reasonable to
assume that 921 craft is just a manned technology testbed
and demonstrator. The mini shuttle, heavy launcher and a
small space station are more possibly the long term
strategy of Chinese manned program.
Recent
Ban on Chinese/US Satellites [2/25/99]
JT : How do you think the recent US ban on satellite
sales to China will affect the Chinese space program?
[2/26/99] Chen Lan: My comments:
-- A bad news for Long March commercial service. It is
possible that Long March will quit from the world launch
markrt in next few year.
-- A good news for Chinese satellite industry. We may
expect more DFH launches in future.
-- A turning point for Sino-Europe space coorperation.
The reason is obvious.
-- Commercial service is only a part of Chinese space
program. There are no reason to say it will affect
Chinese space program. Manned program, new launchers,
domestic satellites and all other projects will continue.
[2/26/99] HWT : You don't think that Matra,DASA, &
Mitsubishi would use Long March commercial services as a
comparative advantage over US makers in the launch
market?
[2/27/99] Chen Lan : European must be very happy with the U.S.
decision. Demesitic users like Chinasat and Sinosat may
use more European satellites. Even AsiaSat and Apstar may
switch to Europe. For APMT, they need wait until Europe
can build the Hugeues GEM type satellite. But I don't
Japanese will book Chinese Long March for their users.
[2/26/99] Michael Lou : Hi everyone:
I think it is very stupid for the US to ban such as sale
to China, especially when it is so obviously a
domestically and politically driven decision. The US
should see China as a partner and a potential customer
for its expertise in space. But unfortunately there are
quite a few ignorant people (and smart ones who harbor
unexplainably negative attitude toward China) in our
government. Indeed, if the American government insist on
treating China as a threat, then my view is that China
should stop trying to placate it and be one. In the end,
I have great faith that China's space program will be
successful, irregardless of any "help" from
anyone (as if Chinese scientists need to
"steal" everything from the Americans, such
arrogance!). There are also Europeans who will gladly
sell to China. By their own action, the American
government has unilaterally maintained or widened the
trade deficit with China (who can they blame but
themselves). Now, on to the first manned voyage in space.
[2/27/99] Chen Lan: My prediction: U.S. will change again the policy
in 5 years.
[2/28/99] lkshen : I have a question. The reason what US explained
is that the satellite will improve the ability of
communication of the chinese military force. Moreover, US
said that "it will improve the technology of the
launch vehicle". Why can it improve this?
[3/1/99] Chen Lan: APMT is a mobile communication satellite. What
its users need is only a satellite mobile phone that is
just a little larger than current GSM mobile phone. US
fears that could be used by PLA. For launch vehicle, I
don't think it is significantly different from a usual
GEO satellite launch. I guess they worry about a possible
launch failure, which will make them difficult to recover
all "classified" components from the debris.
Chinese
manned spaceflight [2/27/99]
JT : http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_286000/286931.stm
(a BBC report on Chinese manned flight)
[2/28/99] lkshen : A scientist of China said that the news about
"China will launch the reuseable spaceshuttle"
is a rumor. China will test the unmanned spacecraft in
these two years.
So, Chen Lan, now we can get the right answer of the
discussion below.
[3/1/99] Chen Lan: This news has been added in my page. I was
disappointed with its "an umanned craft may fly in
1-2 years" statement.
[3/18/99] uow : This post is to point out a lie made by the
aurthor of the following message:
> A scientist of China said that the news......
You are the rumor. Which scientist of China !? If what
you said is true why can't you give the name of the
scientist and source of your claim ?!
Read this to find out the truth:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_277000/277801.stm
By BBC News Online Science Editor Dr David
Whitehouse
The Chinese look likely to launch a re-usable space
shuttle at the end of next year. The mission will be
unmanned.
"The time is basically set for the end of next
year," said Zhang Nan of the Nanjing Zijinshan
Astronomical Observatory. He is in charge of one of
dozens of scientific research projects that will be
aboard the spacecraft.
............
Title
for China's spacemen [3/1/99]
Dominic Phelan : When China gets around to putting its citizens
in to orbit I nominate they be called
"Sinonauts", to ackowledge the fact that China
is doing it alone.
In the future we can expect all travellers to the
International Space Station (ISS) to be transformed into
"Astronauts", no matter were they happen to
come from.
I'll miss the old days of Russian Cosmonauts and French
Spacionautes.
[3/1/99] Chen Lan: I have a different name for them:
"taikonaut". Taikong means space in Chinese. I
think "taiko-" is more suitable than
"sino-" for it has the same meaning as
"astro-", "cosmo-" and
"spacio-".
[3/3/99] Michael Lou : Hi Everyone and happy new year:
I just read something interesting in the news from the
BBC about the Chinese space event survey ships- Yuanwang
1, 2, 3 -- they have all been refitted in Shanghai and
the BBC reports that they are being deployed in the
Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans. According to the
report, and from my own logic, China would not send these
ships so far away for anything less than a
"big" event in its space program. The ships
have never before been deployed outside of the Pacific,
so this is indeed interesting. My speculation is that
China is planning something big, but the leadership is
too worried to make it a live broadcast (for a whole
bunch of real and perceived reasons). So they may send
the Taikongnauts up, and if it is a success, then the
news will be announced. If it fails (I hope not), then
they can keep it as quiet as possible. Usually, a
satellite launch does not require such an extensive
deployment of the Yuanwang ships, but I think the reason
for their current deployment is for the big event. I
really hope China succeeds! Good Luck to China and those
brave Taikongnauts...
[3/4/99] Chen Lan: Most likely there will be an unmanned launch
this year - of cause without live broabcasting. This is
also the first task for 3 newly upgraded tracking ships.
I think the first manned launch will take place as early
as by end of next year. There are more and more evidences
supporting above suspicion.
Chinese
manned spaceflight [3/8/99]
jo : I do not believe china will send a human in
space this year. They don't have the technology to
accomplish such a task. If the japanese can't do it , I
don't see how the chinese could.
[3/9/99] Chen Lan : Japan has most of the technologies the manned
flight needs. They have H-2 heavy launcher. They are
building manned modules(JEM) for the International Space
Station. They have tested docking technology in space
last year. They have manned flight experience from U.S
shuttle program. Japan is also good at eletronics and
communication. But they failed to recover the spacecraft
from space, which is the key to a manned flight. Two
attempts (EXPRESS 1 and HYFLEX) both were unsuccessful.
And most importantly, NASDA currently has no firm plan to
make such a flight in 10 years. In contract, China
started Project 921 seven years ago. Now they are ready
to launch a manned vehicle, though they use relatively
low-tech (like Russians). They may not launch a man into
space in this year, but could be in next year or 2001.
For Japan, it would be beyond 2010.
[3/10/99] JO : Why won't china launch their man or woman this
year. I think this could be the perfect year. With the
Americans acting as if China has no brain power of their
own, sending a human into space would be the perfect
example needed to show the contrary. Why do you think
they won't do it this year. Is it because of technical
difficulty or is it they don't have it quit together yet?
[3/10/99] Dominic Phelan : This is all getting too much like the space race
of the early sixties. In the present situation, with the
potential for a new "cold war" start-up between
the US and China, a manned Chinese space shot may now
just look like a cheap propaganda stunt, alarming the
West (ie. the US establishment) enough to call on NASA to
re-establish "leadership in space".
I think China would dearly love to do it this year, for
the 50th anniversary and also to demonstrate that all
Chinese technology hasn't been "stolen", but
the signs lead me to believe they are still a year or two
from launch.
[3/10/99] jo : Why does the U.S feel a need to compete with
countries like china that are trying to advance themself.
If China decide to send a man to space i don't see why
that would constitute a renewal of the space race. The
united states has sent man to space endless of time.
china is going to do it for the first time. Is that so
threatning?
[3/10/99] Chen Lan : What U.S. worries about is that advancing of
Chinese space technologies may enhances 1) China's
missile capability that is almost identical to the space
launcher. 2) China's commercial space capability. They
want to protect their own launcher builders and keep the
leadership in commercial space field.
For the new space race, it may be between China, Japan
and Europe. I don't think it's a bad thing. Competition
may benefits all.
[3/11/99] jo : I really wish china well. Personally, i hope
some of their scientist are working hard somewhere trying
to get to mars before anybody else. Does anybody know of
any advanced scientific projects that chinese scientist
are working on?
[3/18/99] uow :
replying to jo's question:
--- Is there any advanced projects chinese scientists are
working on ?
Yes there is. Namely the hypersonic vehicle technology
which is reported by the CIA that Chinese are working on,
CIA also told this technology are aimed for advanced
space crafts. They also developed a new form of sea
organism in space, which they claim are a potential food
source for Chinese astronauts for long space mission.
[3/10/99] Michael_Lou :
Hi Jo:
I beg to disagree...Japan may be good at some things, but
lets not assume it is superior to China in everything. I
would not be surprise if China goes to a manned mission
well before Japan. I think China has the technical
know-how and the hardware, now all it needs is
confidence. Japan, however, basks in the sun of
over-confidence, and sneers at everything China does. But
in the end, like the little island people they are, they
will always play second fiddle to China. Don't assume so
much about Japan, and certainly dont underestimate the
will and talent of 1.2 billion people. Go, China!
[3/10/99] Jo :
I Agree! I hope they do it soon. I am getting impatient.
Everyday I wake up i hope I am going to log on and AP is
going to announced that china has sent a human being to
space. I just can't wait what Americans are going to
think of that!
Need
to know [3/11/99]
JO : What will be the difference between the proposed
chinese spacecraft and the American shuttle? If anybody
knows the answer please post.
[3/15/99] lkshen : The space shuttle can land like a normal plane
for it has wings and so on. Moreover, it can be reused.
[3/15/99] Chen Lan : And:
Shuttle can perform more tasks than Chinese craft such as
launch and retrive satellites. It is also larger than
Chinese one (or Russian Soyuz). Of casue, much more
expansive: at least US$10 billion to develop and US$500
million per launch. Chinese one may be 1/10 of that,
though it is expendable.
China
research for spacecraft [3/11/99]
JO : China is doing a research to launch its first
spacecraft, said Zhang Heqi, the leader of national 863
space project. He corrected the wrong news of the press
recently. He said China will launch an unpiloted
spacecraft at the end of this century or early next
century. And several years later, a man carry space
flight is a reasonable step. China will become the third
nation able to launch spacecraft in the world.
Since last 80s, Chinese scientists have been researching
over the possibility of space flight. Real engineering
research stage started in the early 90s.
The development of spacecraft will be China's hop into
the space era. It will play an important role in the
space science of China. China is even considering a
permanent space station at the outer space.
China will research new material, semiconductor
technology and space medical treatment in the space
project. Zhang said that although China drops behind
America and Russia in spacecraft technology for about 30
years, the distance between China and the two leaders in
space technology is much shorter. In many fields, China
is more advanced than people expected.
One of the most important research in the coming space
flight is the observation and research of gamma storm
phenomenon in the vast space.
China has been doing research on space animal experiment
since the 60s. So a manned flight may follow the
unpiloted spacecraft launch in several years' time.
China has been picking the astronaut candidates in the
ace fighter pilots.
[3/15/99] lkshen : Is there any comments about the news from Taiwan
that China will launch six military satellitles next
year? Honest to say, I do not believe what they said. I
do not think we will launch so many military satallitles
in one year, according to the launch frequency of
previous years. Although we really need them, I think it
will take several years to finish this goal.
[3/15/99] Chen Lan: I think the "Twin-sat" navigation
system is parimarily for military use but the earth
observation satellites will have dual uses, both military
and civil. I also agree with you that it is difficult to
launch all theses satellites in one year. China news from
Taiwan are not reliable.
A
question [3/15/99]
NANHANG : hi, chen lan, well done!
it is well-known that china's aerospace industry is among
the toppest in the world. in contrast, china's aviation
section seems very backward. since the two sections bear
some sort of resemblance and receives(i guess) equally
strong support from the military, i cannot understand
that china is unable to build jetliners while she can
loft spacecraft or even maintain a space station.
why does china's aeronautical industry lag so largely
behind her space projects?
[3/15/99] Chen Lan: Just my personal point of view:
1. Aviation industry is a matured industry while space
inductry is just the exploration. Although a space rocket
seems advanced than a fighter, but building hundreds of
flighters in high quility is much more difficult than
building a rocket. China indeed has built many advanced
prototype planes but most of them failed to enter mass
production phase.
2. Aviation industry is more market based. They face more
competitions from the outside. Airplane users (include
PLA and CAAC) have many choices to buy the plane. They
usually complain about domestic made planes and intend to
buy foreign built planes, such as SU-27 and Boeing 777.
For space sector, they have no choice.
3. China made correct decisions on developing rockets but
made many wrong decisions on avaition programs,
especially civil programs. Y-10 is a good start but
failed. If China had continued it and build it at least
for military uses, the result would be quite different.
Answer
to "Jo"'s query, 11.3.99 [3/17/99]
Thanassis Vembos, Greece : The difference between the Chinese manned
spaceship and the American shuttle is like the difference
between a supertanker and a recreation yacht. Actually,
the Chinese spaceship is very much similar to the Russian
Soyuz spacecraft. The Chinese have bought the relative
technology in the last few years.
China
is planning something Big in Space ! [3/17/99]
uow : By BBC News Online Science Editor Dr David
Whitehouse
The Chinese look likely to launch a re-usable space
shuttle at the end of next year. The mission will be
unmanned.
"The time is basically set for the end of next
year," said
Zhang Nan of the Nanjing Zijinshan Astronomical
Observatory. He is in charge of one of dozens of
scientific research projects that will be aboard the
spacecraft. ............
(long article deleted)
[3/18/99] Chen Lan : I have read your another post. But the shuttle
test is indeed a rumor. The person who denied the shuttle
test is Zhang Heqi, cheif astronomer of "Program
863" (Chinese high tech program). This news is
official - on Shanghai Wenhuibao - and just a
clarification for the shuttle report. The shuttle report
(firstly by also a Chinese newspaper) was from the same
source but misintepreted. The BBC report is based on this
earlier Chinese report.
China
should not rush [3/19/99]
fan : China has limited resource and talent in space
program. Should never rush to put a man in the orbit.
[3/20/99] jo : china does has limited fun. But, i am one of the
few who believe china does have the brain power to do a
lot of things people don't give them credit for. Their
scientist say they have the know how to land on the moon
but not the funds. So it is only a matter of time before
a lot people who are saying that china is incapable of
doing anything requiring advanced technology start eating
their words.
Proper
name [3/19/99]
fan : Should be the proper name for Chinese
astronauts. Saw it several times in publications
