SJ-9A

Spacecraft nº:

Chinese spacecraft nº: 191

Launch data: Designation  38860 / 12056A Launch date  14 Oct 2012 - 03:25 UT Launch site  Taiyuan, LC-9 Launch vehicle  CZ-2C (3) Mission  Government: Technological experiments LEO Earth orbit on Oct 22.49: Perigee / Apogee  624 x 651 km Eccentricity  1,93E-03 Inclination  98.00 deg Period  97.42 min

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• The SJ 9 (Shijian 9) spacecraft is a technology satellite developed for the Chinese Comission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND).
• It will conduct in-orbit experiments for electric propulsion, high-precision- and high-stability control systems, high-efficienent power supply and advanced thermal control technology. The satellite features also instruments for Earth observation and component tests of indigenously developed technology.
• Focus on satellite reliability demonstrations and validating high-performance Chinese-made technologies.

Mission details:

• On Oct 14, 2012 China launched two technology satellites, SJ-9A and SJ-9B (Shi Jian jiu hao A/B weixing) using a CZ-2C launch vehicle with an SMA solid motor upper stage. The CZ-2C second stage ended up in a 260 x 674 km x 98.0 deg transfer orbit; the satellites are in a 623 x 650 km x 98.0 deg, 1029LTDN sun-synchronous orbit together with a small dual payload adapter. The SMA stage seems to have made a pair of depletion burns to a 363 x 607 km x 98.1 deg disposal orbit. Two of the four second stage motor separation covers have so far been cataloged, in 260 x 890 km orbits.
• The SJ-9 satellites carry technical experiments and will perform formation flying exercises. They are under the control of the Zhonggou ziyuan weixing yingyong zhongxin (China Resources Satellite Applications Center).
• On Oct 19 SJ-9A began maneuvers, lowering its orbit to 619 x 644 km and then returning to a 623 x 650 km orbit on Oct 22-23.