Misplaced Pages

#711288

34-556: On 11 January 2007, China destroyed one of these satellites (FY-1C, COSPAR 1999-025A) in a test of an anti-satellite missile . According to NASA , the intentional destruction of FY-1C created more than 3,000 high-velocity debris items, a larger amount of dangerous space debris than any other space mission in history. The four satellites of the Fengyun 1 (or FY-1) class were China's first meteorological satellites placed in polar, Sun-synchronous orbit. In this orbit, FY-1 satellites orbited

68-691: A kinetic kill vehicle , identified by the United States Defense Intelligence Agency ( DIA ) as the SC-19, a modified DF-21 ballistic missile with mounted kill vehicle. The shootdown, and the subsequent creation of a record-setting amount of in-orbit debris , drew serious international criticism. Satellites of the Fengyun 2 class are based on the spin-stabilized Dong Fang Hong 2 platform and are China's first class of meteorological satellites in geostationary orbit . Unlike meteorological satellites in polar orbit (like

102-780: A "major setback" to the Chinese space program. Despite this, China launched eight successive Fengyun 2 satellites without incident. Chinese participation in the monitoring of auroras for scientific and space weather investigation was initiated with the launch of the Fengyun-3D satellite, which carries a wide-field auroral imager. As of 2021, China has launched two Fengyun 4 class satellites. 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test On 11 January 2007, China conducted an anti-satellite missile test. A Chinese weather satellite —the FY-1C (COSPAR 1999-025A) polar orbit satellite of

136-466: A FG-36 apogee motor jettisoned after attaining orbit. On 2 April 1994, China attempted to launch the Fengyun 2 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center ( XSLC ) when, prior to its mating with the Long March 3 , a fire caused an explosion destroying the satellite, killing a technician, and injuring 20 others. Officials of the Chinese space agency described the $ 75 million USD loss of the satellite as

170-597: A fairly primitive system, limited to high-inclination LEO satellites. It is the sort of capability available to any country with a store of MRBMs/IRBMs or satellite launch vehicles, and a long-range radar system, such as Japan, India, Iran and even North Korea . However, its LEO coverage does include some extremely valuable satellites, including imaging and ELINT satellites, and the test is likely to generate reactions in several countries”. The Outer Space Treaty banned weapons of mass destruction in orbit and outer space but does not ban conventional weaponry in orbit. It

204-631: A faulty spy satellite with a full tank of hydrazine fuel. In early 2013, the Russian concept satellite BLITS collided with what is believed to be a piece of debris from Fengyun-1C, was knocked out of its orbit and soon afterwards data retrieval from the satellite ceased. Anti-satellite missile tests, especially ones involving kinetic kill vehicles as in this case, contribute to the formation of orbital space debris which can remain in orbit for many years and could interfere with future space activity ( Kessler syndrome ). The 2007 Chinese ASAT test created

238-497: A modified HQ-19 with a KT-1 rocket booster. The program is said to have been at least partially funded by China's 863 Program (specifically, the 863-409 focus area). The closing velocity of the intercept was approximately 8 kilometers per second (17,900 mph), comparable to the American National Missile Defense system. Several nations responded negatively to the test and highlighted

272-704: Is ratified by 98 countries, including China, and signed by 27 others. Xichang Satellite Launch Center Download coordinates as: The Xichang Satellite Launch Center ( XSLC ), also known as the Xichang Space Center , is a spaceport in China . It is located in Zeyuan Town ( 泽远镇 ), approximately 64 kilometers (40 mi) northwest of Xichang , Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan . The facility became operational in 1984 and

306-1017: Is currently under construction, as of December 2019. Three launch complexes were planned, and two were built: Launch Complex 1 (LC-1) , not built, was intended as the Shuguang launch site, later used as a viewing area. Launch Complex 2 (LC-2 or LA-2) , located at 28°14′44″N 102°01′36″E  /  28.24550°N 102.02678°E  / 28.24550; 102.02678  ( Launch Complex 2 (LC-2 or LA-2) ) , and used for launching Long March 2E , Long March 3A , Long March 3B and Long March 3C rockets. Launch Complex 3 (LC-3 or LA-3) , also known as LA-1 , and located at 28°14′50″N 102°01′45″E  /  28.2471400°N 102.0291100°E  / 28.2471400; 102.0291100  ( Launch Complex 3 (LC-3 or LA-3) ) . Used for launching Long March 2C , Long March 3 , Long March 3A and Long March 3B rockets. Demolished and rebuilt between 2005 and 2006. Upgraded in order to support

340-461: Is used to launch numerous civil, scientific, and military payloads annually. It is notable as the site of Sino-European space cooperation, with the launch of the first of two Double Star scientific satellites in December 2003. Chinese officials have indicated interest in conducting additional international satellite launches from XSLC. In 1996, a fatal accident occurred when the rocket carrying

374-494: The Chang'e program , was successfully launched from the facility, marking the beginning of China's lunar exploration program. China launched its first Long March-3C carrier rocket on April 25, 2008. This was the 105th mission of China's Long March series of rockets, and also the launch of the nation's first data relay satellite (数据中继卫星) Tianlian I (天链一号). A new launch pad for next-generation rockets (such as Long March 8 )

SECTION 10

#1732773236712

408-567: The Chinese Lunar Exploration Program . Demolished and rebuilt again between 2013 and 2015. Mobile Launcher Pad , is used by CASIC 's Kuaizhou-1A rocket to launch from Xichang. XSLC's Technical Center is equipped for testing and integration of the payload and launch vehicle. Its Mission Command and Control Center is located 7 kilometers (4.3 mi) southwest of the launch pads, and provides flight and safety control during overall system rehearsal and launch. It

442-678: The Earth at both a low altitude (approximate 900 km above the Earth's surface), and at a high inclination between 98.8° and 99.2° traversing the North Pole every 14 minutes, giving FY-1-class satellites global meteorological coverage with a rapid revisit time and closer proximity to the clouds they image. FY-1A, launched in September 1988, lasted 39 days until it suffered attitude control problems. FY-1B, launched in September 1990 along with

476-469: The FY-1C polar orbit satellite of the Fengyun series, at an altitude of 865 kilometers (537 mi), with a mass of 750 kg — was destroyed by a kinetic kill vehicle. The SC-19 has been described as being based on a modified DF-21 ballistic missile or its commercial derivative, the KT-2 with a Kinetic Kill Vehicle and is fully mobile. On October 24, 2007, Chang'e 1 , an un-crewed Moon orbiter of

510-494: The Fengyun series, at an altitude of 865 kilometres (537 mi), with a mass of 750 kilograms (1,650 lb) —was destroyed by a kinetic kill vehicle traveling with a speed of 8 km/s (18,000 mph) in the opposite direction (see Head-on engagement ). It was launched with a multistage solid-fuel missile from Xichang Satellite Launch Center or nearby. Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine first reported

544-606: The Intelsat 708 satellite failed on launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, killing at least 6 people in a nearby village. Uncontrolled debris from launches continues to fall in the vicinity, most recently in December 2023 and June 2024. A 2007 test of an anti-satellite missile was launched from the center. In order to support the Chinese Project 714 crewed space program in

578-715: The International Space Station . As of April 2019, 3000 of the 10,000 pieces of space debris routinely tracked by the US military as a threat to the International Space Station were known to have originated from the 2007 satellite shoot down. Desmond Ball of the Australian National University while commenting on China's anti-satellite (ASAT) test of January 2007 said: “China's ASAT test of 11 January involved

612-511: The 1960s, the construction of a new space center at Xichang in the Sichuan province was decided, located farther from the Soviet border, thus safer. This construction was part of the Third Front campaign to develop basic industry and national security industry in the rugged interior of China to prepare for potential United States or Soviet Union invasion. The Shuguang One spacecraft

646-460: The Chinese government's description of another test in January 2013, which has led some analysts to conclude that it was yet another test of the same ASAT system, again against a ballistic target and not a satellite. In January 2001, a US congressionally mandated space commission headed by Donald Rumsfeld recommended that "the US government should vigorously pursue the capabilities called for in

680-533: The Chinese started developing their own anti-satellite missiles. The Chinese anti-satellite system was named by Lieutenant General Michael Maples (then Director of US Defense Intelligence Agency ), in a Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing, as the SC-19 . The SC-19 has been described as being based on a modified DF-21 ballistic missile with a Kinetic Kill Vehicle mounted. The ASAT kill vehicle relies on an imaging infrared seeker and also has been described as

714-437: The Chinese test came after at least two direct ascent tests that intentionally did not result in an intercept, on 7 July 2005 and 6 February 2006. A leaked classified diplomatic cable indicates that the same system was tested against a ballistic target in January 2010 in what the Chinese government publicly described as a test of "ground-based midcourse missile interception technology". That description also closely matches

SECTION 20

#1732773236712

748-516: The Earth with a mean altitude above 850 kilometres (530 mi), so they would likely remain in orbit for decades or centuries. Based on 2009 and 2013 calculations of solar flux, the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office estimated that around 30% of the larger-than-10-centimeter (3.9 in) debris would still be in orbit in 2035. In April 2011, debris from the Chinese test passed 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) away from

782-481: The FY-1 and FY-3 classes), FY-2 satellites in geostationary orbit remain in a fixed position relative to the Earth 35,000 km above its surface and maintain a constant watch over an assigned area. Unlike polar orbiting satellites which view the same area about twice a day, geostationary satellites can image a location as fast as once a minute and show long term meteorological trends - at the cost of resolution. Built by

816-663: The National Space Policy to ensure that the president will have the option to deploy weapons in space to deter threats to, and, if necessary, defend against attacks on US interests." Moreover, the subsequent US withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002 allowed the United States to pursue missile defenses, including those that were space-based. In response to the actions by the US towards potential space weaponization,

850-630: The Shanghai Institute of Satellite Engineering and operated by the Chinese Meteorological Administration, FY-2 satellites are 4.5 m tall and are spin-stabilized rotating at 100 rotations per minute. FY-2-class satellites have been marketed for their openly available data whereby any user with a receiver could view FY-2 derived sensory data. Satellites of the Fengyun 2 class have a mass of 1,380 kilograms, use solar cells and batteries for power, and

884-513: The Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics (SITP) bearing an optical scanner, image processor , radiant cooler, and controller for the radiant cooler. FY-1C and FY-1D satellites also carried on board a high-energy particle detector (HEPD) for study of the space environment, contributing to their increased mass . FY-1 satellites are powered by two deployable solar arrays and internal batteries . On 11 January 2007, China conducted its first anti-satellite ( ASAT ) missile test, destroying FY-1C with

918-535: The first new Long March 3B heavy carrier rocket carrying Intelsat 708 veered off course 22 seconds after launch, crashing 1200 meters away from the launch pad in a nearby mountain village, destroying 80 homes. According to the official report, six people died and 56 were injured. The number of civilian deaths has been disputed, with estimates of the number of casualties as around a few hundred. On 11 January 2007, China conducted an anti-satellite missile test with an SC-19 ASAT weapon. A Chinese weather satellite —

952-901: The first two QQW (Qi Qui Weixing) balloon satellites , lasted until late 1992 when its attitude control system also failed. FY-1C, launched in May 1999 along with Shijian-5 , also completed its two-year design life operating until January 2004. The last satellite of the class, FY-1D, was launched in May 2002 and operated continuously for nine years until in May 2011 operations were temporarily lost. Despite resuscitation, FY-1D failed on 1 April 2012. All Fengyun 1 satellites were launched from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center ( TSLC ) in Shanxi Province on Long March 4A and 4B rockets and weighed 750 kg, 880 kg, 954 kg, and 954 kg respectively. Aboard each satellite were two multichannel visible and infrared scanning radiometers (MVISR) built by

986-416: The largest field of space debris in history, with more than 3,000 pieces of trackable size (golf ball size and larger) officially catalogued in the immediate aftermath, and an estimated 150,000 debris particles. As of October 2016 , a total of 3,438 pieces of debris had been detected, with 571 decayed and 2,867 still in orbit nine years after the incident. More than half of the tracked debris orbits

1020-425: The serious consequences of engaging in the militarisation of space . Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao stated, "There's no need to feel threatened about this" and argued that "China will not participate in any kind of arms race in outer space ." China had publicly been advocating to ban space weapons, which had been rejected by the United States under George W. Bush because of certain loopholes in

1054-498: The test on 17 January 2007. The report was confirmed on 18 January 2007 by a United States National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson. The Chinese government did not publicly acknowledge that the test had occurred until 23 January 2007 when the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming the test. China claims it formally notified the US, Japan and other countries about the test in advance. It

Fengyun - Misplaced Pages Continue

1088-419: The treaty. The United States had not tested an anti-satellite weapon since 1985. In February 2008, the US launched its own strike to destroy a non-functioning US satellite , which demonstrated the capability to strike in space, though at a much lower altitude than the Chinese test. The US claimed that the strike was not a military test but a necessary mission to remove the threat posed by the decaying orbit of

1122-426: Was expected to be launched from the launch pad number one. After the cancellation of the program, the launch pad was never completed. Today, a viewing platform for officials has been built at the site. China launched its first Long March-2E carrier rocket on 16 July 1990, sending into orbit Pakistan 's first indigenously developed Badr-1 satellite and HS-601 . On 15 February 1996, a fatal accident occurred when

1156-514: Was the first known successful satellite intercept test since September 1985, when the United States destroyed the Solwind P78-1 satellite with ASM-135 anti-satellite missile released by a F-15 Eagle flying at a speed of Mach 0.934 and an altitude of 38,100 ft (11.6 km). The satellite was orbiting at 345 miles (555 km). The New York Times , The Washington Times and Jane's Intelligence Review reported that

#711288