Xinhua has reported successful launch of the Long March 8. https://m.weibo.cn/2656274875/4584918179383931 …
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Official sources confirmed that the delay from December 20 was due to unacceptable high altitude winds: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/FOEzp3VCeH5KK6Bf3GjS1w …
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This launch is the 1st time since its 2015 debut that the YF-100 RP-1 engines (on the 1st stage) throttles down to 77.5% near Max-Q. CALT also claims LM-8's 1st rocket worldwide that has the ability to actively re-direct launch events if things went wrong: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/vysNP1szRFGhydiU3IlGxA …
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BTW none of the official reports on the rocket side mentions this as the final Chinese launch of 2020, there may be at least 1 more before the year ends. There are reports that after a 2 months grounding a Long March 4C may be launching from Jiuquan, though not confirmed at all.
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Regarding reusable rockets, it appears LM-8 program chief Song Zhengyu said in an interview that they "plan to fly a 3.35 m dia. demonstrator next year testing vertical landings, engines throttling, landing legs and thermal protection etc." - i.e. A Certain Chinese Grasshopper.
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Official papers mentioned that while the reusable version will be tested, at the same time an enhanced version of the LM-8 will be fielded in the next few years featuring simplified tank structures, GNC systems, ground infrastructure & horizontal testing/assembly/transport.pic.twitter.com/qr7I5CorIj
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As for the thingy named XJY-7...this thing appeared in the launch news reports. Interesting SAR (?) dish eh?
pic.twitter.com/28PldkGEIS
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Launch sequence (sans S/C separation) was also shown on the report. Booster sep. T+172 s 1st stage sep. T+208 s Fairing sep. T+215 s SECO-1 T+479 s SEI-2 T+885 s SECO-2 T+1030 s End of terminal guidance T+1056 spic.twitter.com/6iEd75VId9
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The trajectory was a lofted one, reaching 650 km altitude after 1st burn before *lowering* the altitude in the 2nd burn to circularise at 510 km! Exact T-0 was 04:37:37.198 UTC, with launch window at 04:37:30 - 04:46:25 UTC.pic.twitter.com/rnju7quVLC
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Can you explain what “actively re-direct launch” means?
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It means if LM8 felt something wrong with itself it will redirect the payload to a parking orbit, and leave the payload to raise its orbit itself to save the launch.
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