/sci/ - Science & Math

[Anonymous No.3655118]

The unmanned Tiangong-1 – or ‘Heavenly Palace’ – test module is in the final stages of preparation at China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China, according to a report in the Wuhan Evening News.

The 8.5-ton module, whose launch has been long-awaited as a badge of China’s ascendant national and technological ambitions, will form the test-bed for a larger 60-ton space station which is China wants to have in orbit by the early 2020s.

Citing sources at the launch centre, the paper said the launch of Tiangong-1 spacelab could take place “in the first 10 days of September”, earlier than previously anticipated and ahead of China’s National Day celebrations on October 1.

There had been fears the launch might be delayed after a Chinese Long March II – C rocket malfunctioned last week during the launch of an experimental orbiter.

[Anonymous No.3655313]

Meanwhile, panels have determined the causes of failure of the two Russian launch failures last week. The Proton's Briz upper stage failed to insert the satellite into the right orbit due to a software glitch, which didn't allow enough time for the gyros to reposition the platform between each of the five orbit-raising burns. The Soyuz upper stage was found to have faulty gas generator which couldn't pressurize the fuel tanks properly. Both launchers (the two most used launchers in current use) have now been cleared for flight.