China has successfully developed four expeditionary upper stage satellites that can be launched into orbit by a "space shuttle" rocket | Satellite | China
On July 9, China successfully launched the satellite Internet technology test satellite by using the Long March 2C carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The satellite successfully entered the scheduled orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success.
This mission is carried out by the Long March 2C rocket in collaboration with the upper stage of the Expedition 1S to jointly launch the satellite into orbit. What is the upper level? Zhou Youjun, the deputy chief designer of the upper level of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology Expedition Series, likened it to a "space shuttle". After the rocket sends satellites and other spacecraft into space, the upper stage will relay and continue to ferry passengers to their destination. With the space shuttle, a rocket launch can carry more passengers.
At present, China has successfully developed four expeditionary upper level models. The upper stage of the Expedition One is the first "space shuttle" developed by the Rocket Academy, and it is also the basic type of the upper stage. Although it only has the ability to start twice, it can shorten the satellite's orbit entry time from a few days to more than 5 hours without consuming satellite fuel, mainly for medium to high orbit direct entry missions. The upper stage of Expedition One S, which undertakes this mission, is optimized based on the upper stage of Expedition One. The working time is short, and it ignites and accelerates immediately after separation. The entire flight mission is basically completed within 1 hour, greatly reducing weight and cost, and giving it a more competitive advantage in the market.
In addition, the working time of the upper level of Expedition One A is over 40 hours, and the number of activations can reach 20, which can complete the deployment of multiple satellites in different orbits. During its maiden flight, it carried 5 categories and 6 payloads accurately into orbit, performing the perfect "Space Cobra" maneuver. Both in terms of working time and maneuverability, it has reached the world's leading level. The upper stage of Expedition 2 is larger in size, taller in stature, and has more fuel in its belly. It has greater carrying capacity and can perform direct orbit missions for high orbit and multiple satellites.
In this mission, there have been new changes in the upper level of Expedition No.1 S, using a new type of curved grid transition segment. Zhou Youjun introduced that this section has reduced weight by 35%, improved rocket carrying capacity, and reduced installation interfaces, optimizing the overall assembly operation process. The measurement system also adopts the integrated measurement and control mode of space-based for the first time, which can freely switch between space-based and ground-based measurement and control times according to task requirements. It has the ability to measure and control without blind spots throughout the entire process, greatly improving task adaptability.
In the second half of the year, the Chang-2C rocket will continue to maintain a high-density launch posture and carry out space launch missions such as the Ocean Water Color Satellite and the Einstein Probe Satellite. According to Xie Zhifeng, the overall deputy director and designer of the Rocket Dean's 2C Rocket, with the continuous construction of the institute's remote testing network system, the Chang2C Rocket has achieved interconnection and interoperability between the Beijing remote testing network system and the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center's remote auxiliary testing and launch system for the first time in this mission. In the Beijing remote testing hall, remote auxiliary support can be provided for the rocket assembly, testing, and launch at the launch site, reducing the need for designers to provide on-site support and improving overall support capabilities.
