Chang'e 5-T1 Mission Update Thread-(23/10/14)

[xenomorph555]

The Chang'e 5-T1 test mission for the 2017 Chang'e 5 sample return mission will launch today, 23rd October 2014.

In this thread we will follow the mission from pre-launch to landing hopefully on 1st/2nd November.

The launch will take place at 1800PM UTC or 1900PM UK time.

Launch can be viewed here:http://english.cntv.cn/live/p2p/index.shtml

[NASAFanboy]

Good to see China making progress on this. Haven't had a return mission to the Moon in a while, let's hope this raises more interest in space exploration.

[xenomorph555]

Also it's possible there will be more moon probes, the mission is called Chang'e 5-T1 (test 1 maybe?). Maybe there will be a Chang'e 5-T2 or T3 in the future, next year perhaps. This mission was thrown together in about 10 months, it could be replicated.

[xenomorph555]

There has been some bad weather over Xichang today, it's apparently clearing up however it's unknown if the launch is going ahead today. Even if it is cancelled there will be an opportunity to launch tomorrow or Saturday.

If the launch goes ahead today then we have T-48 minutes.

[xenomorph555]

It seems like they are going ahead with the launch.

15 minutes to go

[Kryten]

Not seeing anything on CCTV's feed.

[Matt872000]

I have nothing on CCTV as well, any other possible streams? @nextlaunch says it's on CCTV, too...

[astropapi1]

Africa's FIFA cup... Nothing about space yet. Any other streams?

[xenomorph555]

Heres the chinese news channel: http://tv.cntv.cn/live/cctv13/

nothing about space right now but 5 minutes to launch.

[Kryten]

We have confirmation launch has taken place.

[xenomorph555]

It seems the live launch coverage was cancelled damn it Xi.

Maybe they will release the launch video onto youtube...

[Kryten]

You always get photos, and usually video; its just the only way they have of doing live coverage is taking over CCTV, so they prefer not to.

[xenomorph555]

Sure, anyway the rocket itself is apparently doing well (although I would prefer to see it). By this time it should have ditched stages boosters,1,2 and should be burning it's 3rd stage hydrolox engine for a while.

[astropapi1]

It already launched?! I'm gonna look at their facebook page.

EDIT: They simply posted a picture of the rocket.

Edited October 23, 2014 by astropapi1

[xenomorph555]

WOW, my earlier prediction may have been right, the Chinese are apparently working on another 2 test probes.

- - - Updated - - -

It already launched?! I'm gonna look at their facebook page.

Yeah, they unfortunately didn't show the launch live on tv.

[xenomorph555]

The rocket should have shut down the 3rd stage now for a 20 minute coast.

[raiky]

Hi, what facebook page? I found this one, but not really updated: https://www.facebook.com/ChinaSpace

[Frida Space]

Yup, it has definitely launched.

[xenomorph555]

Heres a super small launch video a person watching caught on camera:http://www.weishi.com/t/2003550064078245

[xenomorph555]

Final 3rd stage burn should have begun now.

[raiky]

How do you know it was coasting? I thought i was one shot

[xenomorph555]

Xinhua have confirmed the spacecraft has entered the correct orbit, has separated and is on it's way to the moon.

GENTLEMEN 100% SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH!

[astropapi1]

Xinhua have confirmed the spacecraft has entered the correct orbit, has separated and is on it's way to the moon.

GENTLEMEN 100% SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH!

HELL YEAH! Really happy for China.

[Kryten]

Any word about 4M? What happens to it after the flyby depends on how accurate the injection was.

[xenomorph555]

4M and a second private mini sat that wasn't mentioned will both be riding on the 3rd stage, this as well as T1 are now flying to the moon. As for what happens afterwards, it's too early and hard to tell, maybe they will re-enter the atmosphere or maybe they will fly off into deep space.