CZ-5 maiden flight; November 3rd

[Kryten]

 The first of the new Chinese CZ-5 heavy lift launcher was rolled out to the pad today; launch is currently scheduled for the 3rd, and is very likely to be livestreamed.

The launcher is capable of about 24 metric tons to LEO and 13 tons to GTO, meaning it will be the second most powerful lifter in the world. Intended missions include launching space station modules, large planetary missions such as Mars landers, and large communications satellites. 

The payload on this launch specifically is called SJ-17, and is being inserted directly into GSO. We don't have many details on it at this time, but we do know it's fitted with ion propulsion systems, and that it's somehow involved in rendezvous and proximity operations. 

[RedKraken]

Cant wait to see this fly.

Kerolox boosters + hydrolox core is an interesting direction. 

When was the last time this happened? Energia/Buran? with rd-170s and rd-0120s

[Kryten]

1 hour ago, RedKraken said:

Kerolox boosters + hydrolox core is an interesting direction. 

When was the last time this happened? Energia/Buran? with rd-170s and rd-0120s

Energiya is the only previous example.

[_Augustus_]

21 minutes ago, Kryten said:

Energiya is the only previous example.

And Energia was a wonderful launcher. Hopefully CZ-5's maiden flight goes well. I can't wait for Tiangong-3 and a potential lunar mission with this rocket!

[RedKraken]

15 Nov 1988 at Baikonur

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx1w2dNfs1w

clearest footage at 2:46

[RedKraken]

6 minutes ago, _Augustus_ said:

And Energia was a wonderful launcher. Hopefully CZ-5's maiden flight goes well. I can't wait for Tiangong-3 and a potential lunar mission with this rocket!

Seems like rocketry/space tech is coming back into fashion.

I hope we get to see a return to lunar missions as well.

[Firemetal]

Where is it being hosted? Thanks.

Fire

[Mitchz95]

That's a beautiful rocket.

[Kryten]

Launch is still on for the 3rd, time is now confirmed to be at about 10am UTC. While we wait, have a nice vid showing stacking and launch prep;

 

Edited November 2, 2016 by Kryten

[RedKraken]

nice. Here is some more on CZ-5: 

 

Includes some nice HD closeups of the tank fittings, CAD shots, engine fittings, engine tests (boosters (yellow flames) and core stage (clear flames)), tank temps, fairing schematics and thermal analysis, stage separators.

I would love to hear an english translation over the top of the mandarin (?) or subtitles.

Interesting to see how close they mount the YF-100s. Compared to the major separation between the YF-77s.

Also the lox pipes down the side of the boosters look heavily recessed compared to other modern boosters (angara).

http://spaceflight101.com/spacerockets/long-march-5/  867t, 23t (25t ?) to LEO, thrust at liftoff 1066t, twr 1.23

booster https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YF-100 , 1200-1340kN, 300-335s (x2) OxRich staged combustion

core https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YF-77, 510-750kN,  310-430s (x2) Gas generator cycle

upper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YF-75D, 88kN, 442s (x2) Expander cycle

The amount of technical footage coming out of china is awesome.

[lajoswinkler]

L-Clock says 14 minutes until launch. Any thoughts on this?

[RedKraken]

I havent seen any change from 0920 UTC.... about 10hrs to go.

The nasa forum guys are probably your best bet. http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39415.40

They follow this stuff like hawks.

Edited November 2, 2016 by RedKraken

[Kryten]

48 minutes ago, lajoswinkler said:

L-Clock says 14 minutes until launch. Any thoughts on this?

Sounds like they put in 10pm UTC instead of 10am.

[cubinator]

It'll be a little early for me to watch live, but I hope it goes well!

[magnemoe]

3 hours ago, Kryten said:

Launch is still on for the 3rd, time is now confirmed to be at about 10am UTC. While we wait, have a nice vid showing stacking and launch prep;

 

Interesting, huge interstage, does it hold the hydrogen tank too, or is it put on on top. 

[RedKraken]

from spaceflightnow

http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/11/02/long-march-5-heavy-lifter-ready-to-join-chinas-rocket-inventory/

[Josh IN SPACE]

I hope CCTV will stream it like they did with the Shenzou-11.

[Kryten]

Launch has slipped an hour to about 11:00 UTC

[lajoswinkler]

This seems to be the stream.

http://square.ys7.com/play/index?cameraId=1134804

 

This one has been shut down.

https://youtu.be/hT6A9j6Aeac

[Josh IN SPACE]

There's also this YouTube page that's counting down to the launch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hShvE1YxSlg

Less than an hour to go!

 

[RedKraken]

5 min

[Kryten]

Looks like the launch has been pushed back another hour.

[YNM]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLy10g-ZNiI

Just in case anyone wondering whether there exist a live launch thing (least on youtube)... Although so far they're playing music on it

Edited November 3, 2016 by YNM

[Kryten]

Launch is scrubbed for today.

[Streetwind]

Aww.

Any reason given? Wheather, technical?