China Space Launch Schedule of 1999
Beijing 99 World Stamp Exhibition
A Handy Catalogue for China Astrophilately Collectors
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China Space Launch Schedule of 1999
China will have six launch activities in 1999:
1. LM-4B launch FY-1 meto. Satellite.
2. LM-4B launch SJ-5 Science & Technology Experiment Satellite.
3. LM-4B launch ZY-1 Satellite (China-Barse Corporation).
4. LM-3B launch ChinaSat-8 Communication Satellite.
5. LM-2C/SD launch IRIDIUM® Satellite.
6. First test of new rocket.
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Beijing 99 World Stamp Exhibition
Beijing 99 World Stamp Exhibition will be held from Aug. 21 to 30. There is only one Astrophilatelic collection from China by Mr. Ling Fugen. Following are the Forewords and Contents of this collection.
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From Chinese Ancient Rocket to Chinese Modern Space Mail
---- Astronautical History of China
The embryo of modern rockets is rooted in the 13th-century China. Around 1500, Wan Hoo bound himself onto a rough "rocket" in his brave spaceflying attempt, marking the beginning of spaceflight prehistory.
In 1956, according to Chairman Mao's great strategy, China founded her own space industry. Ever since then, Chinese people see more and more progress in space technology. The first man-made satellite was launched in 1970. The Long March rockets series have sent more than 50 various satellites and marched into international market by doing business with HK, Pakistan, Sweden, Philippines, USA and Australia. The 16th recoverable satellite brought back our first space flown covers (five different kinds), starting a new space mail era.
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China sent 2 US-made satellites into planned orbits on Dec. 19, 1998. It is the 4th consecutive successful mission of the improved Long March 2C Rocket for the IRIDIUM® program within one year. This launch, the 55th flight of the Long March rocket series, took place at 7:39 pm at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, 11 minutes later, the dispenser with the satellites was boosted to a predetermined parking orbit. After 40 minutes coasting, the dispenser delivered the two IRIDIUM® satellites to their preset orbits at a perigee altitude of 629.90 km, apogee altitude of 646.92 km, and at an inclination of 86.35 degrees.
Up to date, there are 8 IRIDIUM® satellites launched by China. The 6th IRIDIUM® satellite launch will be in the middle of February 1999.
The 1st satellite of Taiwan was launched in Cape Canaveral of USA on Jan. 27, 1999 for a 2-year mission.
The Republic of China's first satellite, ROCSAT-1, carries 3 science and technology missions: Ocean Color Imager (OCI), Ionospheric Plasma and Electrodynamics Instrument (IPEI), and an Experimental Communication Payload (ECP). The OCI is built by NEC, Japan, and is designed to sense 6 special bands from visible (443nm) to near IR (865nm) with 800 meter resolution, a 690 km swath and high radiometric accuracy. It has a 600km circular, low Earth orbit with 35 degrees inclination and its ground contact time with the receiving stations in Taiwan will be about 7 minutes, 6 times a day.
A Handy Catalogue for China Astrophilately Collectors
Now we recommend a very useful book " An Illustrated Catalogue of China Astrophilatelic Items". With full colored sample and arranging chronically, it covers 5 parts: (1) 14 stamps on space flights issued by China. (2) 149 astrophilatelic items issued by different satellite launch centers. (3) 93 covers and cards issued by affiliates of China Space Industry Corp. (4) 84 covers and cards issued by various postal departments. (5) 12 covers made by China Space Philatelist Federal. In large 32mo, 186 pages, the hard cover book is priced at US$40 each (including the airmail registered postage). Any one interested in this book can contact [email protected].