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CZ-4 C successfully launched test satellites 20 A/B

CZ-4 C successfully launched test satellites 20 A/B

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NEWS
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2023/01/11 10:45
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[Abstract]:

At 16:22 on December 12, 2022, CZ-4C Y-57 launch vehicle was launched at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and sent test satellites 20 A/B to the target orbit accurately. The launch task was a complete success. Test satellites 20 A/B are mainly used for the in-orbit verification and testing of new technologies for spatial environment monitoring. China Academy of Space Technology and Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology undertake the overall responsibility for the development of the satellites. 

Launch vehicle test team

 

Comprehensively improving the product reliability and quality management & control accuracy

 

CZ-4C launch vehicle is a normal temperature, liquid, three-stage launch vehicle developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. It has excellent performance and is widely used. It can adopt flexible modes of launching according to the different types of satellites and different orbital requirements. It can launch one or multiple satellites with carrying capacity in the sun-synchronous circular orbit of 3 tons (with an orbital height of 700 km). 

According to the characteristics of the launch task, the launch vehicle adopts a Φ3350 layout with two satellites connected in series. The whole launch vehicle is in a state of redundant improvement 2. The telemetry system adopts the transmission equipment with a 5M code rate, provided with a 2M relay user terminal and image measurement system.

 

In December in the Ejin Banner, the snowy winter came in place of the colorful autumn. CZ-4 test team that stayed at “Dongfeng Space City” (i.e. Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center) adjusted its state and threw itself into the current launch task quickly after successfully completing the previous one. During the transfer of the launch vehicle, a cold current came. Despite the adverse effects of the low temperature and cold wave on personnel and equipment, test team members successfully transferred the launch vehicle body and combination. During that period, multiple tasks were conducted synchronously at the launch site. CZ-4 test team had a correct grasp of the pace in work according to the job arrangement at the launch site, and carried out double checks and rehearsals in the spare time to ensure the correct status, clear process, accurate operation, and successful results. 

 

The model team implemented the “four stricter” measures in the launch task, and ensured the optimal product configuration and assigned backbone personnel to comprehensively improve the product reliability and quality management & control accuracy. During the work at the launch site, the test team carefully planned and implemented quality reconfirmation several times to ensure the comprehensive risk identification, implementation of control measures, and reliable product quality. 

 

This launch task is the 95th launch task of CZ-4 launch vehicles, the 178th launch task of the Long March launch vehicles developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, as well as the 454th launch task of Long March launch vehicles. 

Satellite test team

 

Cooperating vigorously to make innovations and breakthroughs boldly

Facing the various technological difficulties and long payload development period of the test satellite 20B, the model team systematically planned and intensively carried out technical discussions and analysis in the whole development cycle, and made innovation boldly on the premise of ensuring the realization of the project. During the development, it introduced a digital parallel system, had repeated deductions about the task elements, and solved the potential problems identified in time in a closed loop. The satellite test team, in cooperation with all development units, considered the business processes and resource allocation in a coordinated way, optimized the technical solutions continuously, and ensured the optimal whole satellite program and the reliable in-orbit operation through the whole-process coordination of the satellite task. 

Because of the multiple types of software configured to the satellite, the team members had great pressure in software development in the whole process of satellite development. In order not to affect the docking of the critical large system and to confirm the technical condition of the satellite as early as possible, the overall test team coordinated all resources and concentrated superior forces to finish the code compilation and test of the software as scheduled, becoming a model of ensuring success and improving efficiency.

At the beginning of the year when the COVID-19 pandemic was serious in Shanghai, it was a critical time for satellite development and large scale testing. Under the leadership of two chief engineers of the model team, all team members stayed at their posts actively and lose no time to minimize the impacts of the pandemic on satellite development by means of remote testing, post coordination, and optimization of the product acceptance process, which ensured the product delivery quality and development schedule. 

Because of the multiple types of software configured to the satellite, the team members had great pressure in software development in the whole process of satellite development. In order not to affect the docking of the critical large system and to confirm the technical condition of the satellite as early as possible, the overall test team coordinated all resources and concentrated superior forces to finish the code compilation and test of the software as scheduled, becoming a model of ensuring success and improving efficiency.

 

At the beginning of the year when the COVID-19 pandemic was serious in Shanghai, it was a critical time for satellite development and large scale testing. Under the leadership of two chief engineers of the model team, all team members stayed at their posts actively and lose no time to minimize the impacts of the pandemic on satellite development by means of remote testing, post coordination, and optimization of the product acceptance process, which ensured the product delivery quality and development schedule. 

In order to minimize the effects of the pandemic on the launch task, the test team made a plan ahead of time for all members to enter the site together with the dedicated satellite train, and guaranteed the safety of onsite team members while optimizing the development process at the launch site. On the dedicated train, the test team members did not relax their work. They made use of their time on the train to rectify deficiencies, and had exhaustive discussions on the use rules and fault elimination plan of the whole satellite, which ensured the whole success of the task. They had discussions in dining cars and sleeping coaches. The warm atmosphere in the train and the beautiful view of the Gobi outside the window has become unforgettable memories for all the test team members.

The task at the launch site of test satellite 20B was complex and difficult. In order to ensure a complete success of the launch task, the test team was divided into two small teams to work synchronously. One team was responsible for the general assembly, testing, test and validation of the satellite according to the launch site process in an orderly way. The other team conducted drills simultaneously based on the ground verification system to lay a solid foundation for the in-orbit stable operation of the satellite. The team has won the high praise of users with its hard-working spirit and persistence.