Technology Improvement for the High Reliability LM-2F Launch Vehicle

The Long March 2 F(LM-2F) launch vehicle, the only launch vehicle designed for manned space flight in China, successfully launched the Tiangong 2 space laboratory and the Shenzhou 11 manned spaceship into orbits in 2016 respectively. In this study, it introduces the technological improvements for enhancing the reliability of the LM-2F launch vehicle in the aspects of general technology, control system, manufacture and ground support system. The LM-2F launch vehicle will continue to provide more contributions to the Chinese Space Station Project with its high reliability and 100% success rate.     

北斗专列—CZ 3A系列火箭发展回顾和未来展望

CZ-3A系列运载火箭承担了北斗工程，包括北斗一号、北斗二号和北斗三号的全部发射任务，被称为“北斗专列”。在北斗工程历时26年的研制过程中，CZ-3A系列火箭突破了一系列关键技术，使火箭具备了从地球同步转移轨道(GTO)到倾斜同步转移轨道(IGTO)、中圆转移轨道(MTO)，从一箭一星发射至转移轨道，到一箭双星发射至转移轨道，再到一箭双星直接发射入轨的发射能力，实现了跨越发展。满足了北斗工程的发射任务需求，北斗工程共计44箭、59星，CZ-3A系列火箭发射均获得了圆满成功，成功率达到了100%。     

Maiden Flight of Long March 7——The New Generation Medium Launch Vehicle in China

On June 25, 2016, the Long March 7(LM-7) launch vehicle completed its maiden flight successfully. LM-7, as a new generation of medium and basic launch vehicle based on the design concepts of non-toxic and nonpolluting, was developed for the purpose of launching a cargo spacecraft to the Chinese space station. Based on the experience on launching cargo spacecraft and satellites, LM-7 can be adapted for mainstream satellite launch missions in the future with its characteristics of serialization and continuous optimization. LM-7 is expected to be used to launch manned spacecraft in the future. This paper presents a general review of LM-7 with regard to the general scheme and provides references for the development prospects of a medium launch vehicle series in China.     

LM-11SL:A Sea-Launched Carrier Rocket for Small Satellites and Its Launch Service

Following the successful maiden flight of the Long March 11(LM-11) launch vehicle from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in September 2015, the first sea-launched carrier rocket dedicated to provide a launch service for small satellites and their constellations, the Long March 11 Sea Launch(LM-11 SL) has been under development by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology(CALT) and the China Great Wall Industry Corporation(CGWIC). It is planned to commence launch service in 2018. Based on the LM-11, a land-launched four-staged solid launch vehicle which has entered the market and accomplished launch missions for several small satellites in the past 3 years, the newly adopted sea launch technology enables transport and launch of LM-11 SL from maritime ships, providing flexible launch location selection.After inheriting the mature launch vehicle technologies from previous members of the Long March launch vehicle family and adopting a new way of launching from the sea, the LM-11 SL is capable of sending payloads into low Earth orbits with all altitudes and inclinations, from 200 km to 1000 km, from equatorial to sun synchronous, within a shortduration launch campaign. The LM-11 SL provides a flexible, reliable and economical launch service for the global small satellite industry.     

Technical Feature Analysis of the LM-5 Overall Plan

The Long March 5(LM-5) launch vehicle is China's new generation heavy-lift rocket with the largest payload capacity,representing the highest standard of China's current launchers.It took 10 years to develop the LM-5 launch vehicle.On November 3,2016,the LM-5 carrier rocket blasted off from the Wenchang satellite launch center on Hainan Island,achieving a successful maiden flight.During the development of the LM-5 rocket,the engineering team accumulated abundant experience on developing heavy-lift cryogenic rockets and established a thorough research and development system for new generation launch vehicles,which significantly raised the ability for launcher RD.     

长征三号甲系列运载火箭高适应性发展——从总体与导航制导控制的视角

从总体与导航制导控制的视角,对长征三号甲系列运载火箭发展与成就进行了分析和小结。长征三号甲系列运载火箭,在长征三号运载火箭解决我国发射高轨道卫星有无问题的基础上,历经基本能力、适应能力、高适应能力的发展,具备了高轨道大型卫星运载能力,突破了从单一轨道面到三维空间各种轨道发射、从高轨卫星转移轨道到工作轨道发射、从地球轨道到地月轨道发射以及从航天技术试验到高可靠工程应用发射等关键技术,使我国运载火箭整体能力取得了地球全轨道发射、星际轨道发射等跨越发展。航天重大工程和国际商业发射表明,该系列运载火箭已进入世界高轨道航天器发射的运载火箭前列,并奠定了进一步开拓发展的基础。     

长征四号乙／丙运载火箭多星发射技术现状与展望

介绍了长征四号乙／丙（CZ-4B／4C）运载火箭的多星发射技术。给出了整流罩Ф900mm的一箭双星、一箭三星的发射统计与串联发射构型、正在研制的更大包络的双星发射构型,以及并联发射构型。介绍了CZ-4B／4C运载火箭后续多星发射和搭载发射的构型、连接解锁装置和分离程序。     

LM-11——The Main Force in China's Small Launch Vehicles for Commercial Launch

The Long March 11 launch vehicle(LM-11) is the only solid launch vehicle within China's new-generation launch vehicle series, enabling a full spectrum of Chinese launch vehicles. Compared with other China's LM series launch vehicles, it has the shortest launch preparation time. With the characteristics of appropriate launch capability, quick response, easy-to-use, flexible operation, universal interface and strong task adaptability, LM-11 can better meet the launch requirements for various small networking satellite, replacement and for emergency use. After four successful launches, LM-11 has become the main Chinese launch vehicle oriented to the international small satellite commercial launch market.     

新一代低温液体中型运载火箭（英文）

The maiden flight of LM-8 performed perfectly on December 22, 2020. The design concept of modularization, seriation and combination has been perfectly exhibited in LM-8. The four main technical innovations, including rapid integrated design based on modularization, engine thrust regulation, modal parameters acquisition technology based on numerical simulation, and flight load control, were verified during the maiden flight. LM-8 is now positioned to be the main force in China's medium launch vehicles for commercial launch. In the future, the mission adaptability of LM-8 will be improved to provide efficient and low-cost launch services. In addition, new technologies to allow repeated use and autonomous flight will be validated.     

Innovation and Outlook of the New Generation of Cryogenic and Quick-Launch Launch Vehicle

This paper introduces a launch vehicle scheme for the new generation of cryogenic and quick-launch launch vehicle(LM-6). The main technical innovations of LM-6 launch vehicle include the capability of twenty satellites launched by one vehicle, high-pressure staged combustion cycle engine and oxygen tank self-pressurization, sandwich bulkhead tank with 200 K temperature difference, and 7-day quick-launch using the "three horizontals" test and launch mode with integral transportation and erection. The future development of the quick-launch launch vehicle is predicted based upon the need for vehicle mission coverage improvement, better response speed, and stronger market competiveness.     

China Will Launch A Spanish Lunar Rover

China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) and Barcelona Galactic Suite Moon Race S.L (GSMR) signed a launch contract in Paris to launch a Spanish lunar rover with a LM-2C launch vehicle. According to the contract, CGWIC will provide the launch service for the lunar rover developed by the Barcelona moon     

The Reliable and Intelligent Propulsion Pressurization System of the Long March 7 Launch Vehicle

The reliable and intelligent propulsion pressurization system is one of the key technologies of new Chinese generation launch vehicles; a high reliability design is an important guarantee for the success of launching. This paper analyzes the domestic and overseas liquid launch vehicles in the area of propulsion pressurization systems, based on comprehensive analysis, demonstrating the reliable and intelligent propulsion pressurization system of the Long March 7(Simplified as LM-7) has been raised. By applying a full chain redundancy design, setting proper pressure control bandwidth and control mode reconstruction under extreme fault conditions, the reliability and adaptability of the propulsion pressurization system has enhanced significantly. In addition, the complete system has been verified by the first two flights of LM-7.     

运载火箭模态试验仿真技术研究新进展

针对传统数学模型修改技术无法解决大型工程问题的局限性,为了实施模态试验仿真,提出一套适用于航天器复杂结构模型修改新技术,称之为子结构试验建模综合技术。简要综述在运载火箭模态试验仿真技术方面研究的新进展,并介绍两个应用实例:一是CZ-2E运载火箭全箭模态试验仿真与预示,用介绍的模态试验仿真技术成功地预示运载火箭模态参数,预示的模态与随后进行的实尺运载火箭模态试验所测到的模态非常一致,进而验证介绍的仿真技术的可靠性;另一个是CZ-2F载人运载火箭全箭模态试验仿真,它为箭船耦合动力学分析提供了可靠数学模型与数据。这两个大型工程应用实例说明了运载火箭模态试验仿真技术的工程实用性。     

基于数值仿真的全箭动特性获取技术（英文）

LM-8 was China's first launch vehicle which designed its dynamic characteristics without carrying out a fullscale modal test, and then in the absence of test data to establish the dynamic model. The issue was, how to accurately obtain the mode data of LM-8 with numerical simulations which directly affects the control reliability of flight. In this paper, various approaches to obtain the dynamic characteristics of LM-8 are described from the perspective of refined dynamic modeling and simulating, mode slope prediction, vertical modal test, etc. The numerical simulations were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data, and satisfied the requirements for the engineering application, which effectively supported the successful maiden flight mission of LM-8.     

北斗工程IGSO/MEO/GEO发射轨道设计

随着我国航天事业的蓬勃发展，运载火箭发射要求也呈现多样化。北斗卫星导航系统是我国自行研制的全球卫星导航系统，经历三步跨越式发展，目前已经全面建成。CZ-3A系列火箭承担了北斗工程全部发射任务，该工程对火箭倾斜同步转移轨道（IGTO）、中圆转移轨道（MTO）、地球同步转移轨道（GTO）新类型轨道要求。介绍了该类轨道特点，讨论了火箭发射方案、发射轨道设计及高空风双向补偿方法。实际飞行考核充分证明了发射轨道设计的正确性，设计方法确保了北斗工程全部发射任务取得圆满成功，为北斗工程顺利实施奠定了基础。     

CZ-4A运载火箭姿态控制系统设计与飞行试验

本文介绍长征四号A(CZ-4A)运载火箭姿态控制系统,内容包括: a 姿态控制系统方案和组成; b 数字控制系统设计采用的数学方法; c 数字自动驾驶仪的设计; d 箭上计算机调零; e 姿态控制伺服系统; f 首发CZ-4A运载火箭控制系统飞行结果。在CZ-4A运载火箭姿态控制系统方案中,数字式自动驾驶仪,双向摇摆发动机伺服系统和计算机调零方案均是国内首次使用,由于这些新技术的采用,使CZ-4A控制系统具有高的精度,大的适应能力,是大型运载火箭姿态控制系统中较好的方案。     

RADAR “SAIL” satellite concept

The Radar SAIL concept is based on the use of a rectangular antenna lying in the dawn-dusk orbital plane with the length (along speed vector) smaller than the height. Such geometry makes it possible to place the solar cells on the back of the antenna, to use gravity gradient stabilisation, and to implement multipath-free GPS interferometric measurement of the antenna deformation thus allowing structural relaxation. Less obviously, the geometry favours the RADAR design too, by allowing grating lobes and therefore a lower density of built-in electronic in the active antenna. The antenna can be thin and packed for launch inside a cylinder-shaped bus having pyrotechnic doors for the antenna deployement and bearing the rest of the payload and the service equipment. With respect to a standard design of performant missions, cost savings come from the bus, whose functions (AOCS, power supply) are simplified, from the launch since the mass budget and the stowing configuration become compatible with medium size rockets (LLV2/3, DELTA-LITE, LM-4.), and from the active antenna built-in electronics.

The RADAR SAIL concept is all the more cost effective when the mission requires a large, high and short antenna, i.e. high resolution (<5m), low frequency band (L or S or even P), high revisiting, multiple frequencies. Mission implementation and funding can be favored by the new capability to share the satellite between autonomous regional operators. Combined with ground DBF (digital beam forming) technique, the concept allows extremely simple and low cost missions providing a fixed wide swath (10 to 15 m resolution within 500km to 1000 km swath) for systematic surveillance or monitoring.     

长征八号运载火箭减载效果评估及验证（英文）

LM-8 inherited mature modules from other launch vehicles, adapting the overall design through the combination of engine throttling, wind compensation and load relief control, so as to reduce the aerodynamic load during flight. This paper proposes a rapid evaluation method for load relief performance, which takes launch vehicle's characteristics, wind field, control parameters, aerodynamic deviation and structure deviation into consideration, and provides a quick estimation method for load relief performance. The load relief performance of the LM-8 launch vehicle estimated by this method achieved 10%-20% in pitch and 20%-40% in yaw. The specific results are related to parameter deviation, the altitude of wind shear and the relationship between wind direction and trajectory angle. Simulation results for a typical case with six degrees of dynamic freedom of flight proves that the comprehensive load relief performance would be between 14% to 34%, which is in line with the aforementioned method. In addition, simulation results indicate that the more severe the wind shear is, the better performance of load relief can be achieved.     

China’s Global Space-based TT&C Network System Established

The Tianlian 1-03 satellite, the third geosynchronous data relay satellite of China, was successfully launched into space on a LM-3C launch vehicle from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 23:43 Beijing time on July 25. Twenty-six minutes after the liftoff, the satellite separated     

New Power for Boosting China's Aerospace Industry

China's new-generation launch vehicle LM-5 successfully completed its maiden launch in November 2016.Among the new technologies applied in the launch vehicle,four types of liquid rocket engines attracted extensive attention.These engines feature advanced concepts and technologies such as a staged combustion cycle and expander cycle.The engines are the results of hard effort of more than ten years,which is also an epitome of the development history of China's aerospace industry.This paper gives a brief introduction to the technological schemes,main parameters,development process and application of the four types of engines that powered the new-generation launch vehicle.Finally,proposals for new liquid propulsion technology development in the future in China are presented.