[FPSPACE] planned CE2 and CE3 launch dates

[E.P. Grondine]

In retrospect we can see that clearly the launch date of CE1 was linked with timing of the Party Congress and the Five Year Plan review (equivalent to the US annual State of the Union address) . 

If launch windows for the Moon occur conveniently near these events, the timing for CE2 and CE3 launches may be guessed several years beforehand.

But then space is not always that kind. Assuming CE1 is successful, the data necessary from it will have been gathered in full. Otherwise CE1 will be reflown.

For CE2, we've seen some prototype rovers, mass unknown, descent stage requirements unknown, locations for deployment unidentified yet, trajectory and orbit unknown.

I suppose that someday soon we'll have public sat photos of the new CZ5 launch complex, and that journalists will be allowed to visit the new tourist facilities there.

I read Hu's theory statement on Xhinhua, but I wonder how many advertising dollars were raised from advertisers for the television broadcasts besides the money from the viewer ticket sales.

I was surprised at how small a launcher they could use for CE1, and the cost is being given at $187 million, which certainly can not reflect all marginal costs, and may be due to currency conversion figures - but it was still a very modest expenditure.

Geverally, China's marginal budget for their manned and lunar program seem to be a little more than $200 per year; rover or manned, one launch of one or the other. SZ7 is next year. That will leave com capacity open.

The experimental station: SZ8, SZ9, SZ10 will represent something of a spending and launch peak.

E.P.

> From: phillipclark at btinternet.com
> To: fpspace at friends-partners.org
> Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:18:34 +0100
> Subject: Re: [FPSPACE] planned CE2 and CE3 launch dates
> 
> Bearing in mind that the Chinese lunar rover will be significantly smaller than a Lunokhod, they could possibly launch that on the CZ-3B vehicle - the CZ-3A plus four strap-on boosters.
> 
> The sample-return mission will need the CZ-5/NGLV, I am sure.
> 
> I am waiting to see whether the Chinese plan just one lunar orbiter like Chang'e 1, then one lunar rover and then one sample-return mission or whether we will see more than one launch in each series.   A single launch in each series is possible, especially bearing in mind the traditional speed of the Chinese space programme, but a series of launches at each stage would make life rather more interesting.
> 
> 
> Phillip Clark
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: E.P. Grondine 
>   To: FPSPACE at friends-partners.org 
>   Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 1:54 AM
>   Subject: [FPSPACE] planned CE2 and CE3 launch dates
> 
> 
> 
>   http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-10/24/content_6204269.htm
> 
>   If CE2 is massed for CZ5, then CZ5 is intended to be operational by 2012.
>   On the other hand, perhaps just a CZ2 heavy (CZ2F) could be used.
> 
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