Aotian-1, a Chinese hypersonic reentry demonstrator flown tested on 20/09/2013?

Chinese blog relayed this information on Aotian-1 (遨天一号) such as:

文/陆崕 原创, 中国空天飞机取新进展 比外媒预计进展快!打破美国垄断
http://www.tjfer.com/detail/g6281540559861612802/

Blog article ttl translation (googletranslate): "Chinese space plane take new progress faster progress than expected foreign media! Break the US monopoly"

A.
 
Hi.

Something else of interest popped up from a July 8, 2012 online article discussing, among others, Chinese work in an (alleged) orbital bomber project (I prefer to be careful) while browsing baidu image with the following keyword: 遨天一号

Picture extracted from:
http://fxb.591hx.com/article/2012-07-09/0000055663s.shtml

This is weird. I really missed this image, and wonder both the context, and why markings are in English (something BLACK).

Anyone? Guess what?

A.
 

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2014 ARTICLE 1

http://www.fjgzw.gov.cn/ar/20140124000003.htm (link broken as of today)
漳州市龙溪股份助力中航完成高速自主进场着陆飞行试验
浏览量:6 发布时间:2014-01-26 字号:T|T

近期,中国航天某重点型号圆满完成高速自主进场着陆飞行试验,突破了高速自主进场着陆的核心关键技术。在该型号研制过程中,龙溪股份发扬艰苦奋斗、勇于创新的精神,积极承担相关协作、配套任务,为该型号飞行任务取得圆满成功做出了重要贡献。为此,中国航天科技集团公司第一研究院特意发出纪念牌匾和感谢信,对龙溪股份的倾情相助表示肯定和感谢。2010年以来,漳州市国资委所出资企业福建龙溪轴承(集团)股份有限公司积极响应国家鼓励装备制造企业提高关键零部件自主化水平政策,坚持走创新驱动、转型升级的发展新路子,瞄准航空军工等需求潜力大、成长性好的行业领域,着力开展航空关节轴承设计研发,不仅能够研制符合美航标(AS)和英航标(EN)标准航空关节轴承,而且能够研制各类非标航空关节轴承,所制造的航空关节轴承可应用于各类型航空器和航空装备并为国家重点项目提供配套。(漳州市国资委)

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Article #1 google translation below
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Zhangzhou Longxi shares power in the autonomous landing approach speed to complete the flight test flight
Views: 6 Published: 2014-01-26 Font Size: T | T

Recently, the China Aerospace successfully completed a key model high-speed autonomous approach and landing flight tests, breaking the autonomous landing approach speed of core and key technologies. In the model development process, Longxi shares carry forward the hard work and innovative spirit, and actively cooperate to bear the relevant supporting tasks for the mission a success model made important contributions. To this end, China Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation first issued a commemorative plaque and specially thank you for help portrait Longxi shares affirmed and thanks. Since 2010, the SASAC invested enterprises in Zhangzhou City, Fujian Longxi Bearing (Group) Co., Ltd. actively responded to encourage enterprises to improve equipment manufacturing key parts of the level of autonomy policy, adhere to the innovation-driven, transformation and upgrading of the development of new ways of targeting military and other aviation demand potential, good growth industries, strive to carry out aviation joint bearing design and development, not only able to develop in line with US aids to navigation (AS) and British aids to navigation (EN) standard aviation bearing joints, but also be able to develop all kinds of non-standard aviation joint bearings, spherical plain bearings manufactured aviation can be applied to all types of aircraft and aviation equipment and to provide support for the national key projects. (Zhangzhou City, the SASAC)

2016 ARTICLE 2

姚世东 一院研发中心十三室主任
2016-04-28 中国航天职工之窗

一院研发中心十三室主任姚世东
姚世东同志从事航天事业30年,致力于我国运载火箭结构总体设计、负责并参与6个运载火箭型号结构总体研制工作,突破5个技术瓶颈,攻克6个技术难题,制定6项一部、院、集团及国军标设计标准及规范,获得6项国防及部级科学技术进步、军队科技进步奖及中国航天基金奖等奖项。
他专注基层,踏实肯干的技术专家。2011年至2013年,是某型号演示验证项目的起步和攻坚阶段,他带领着几乎没有工程经验的年轻团队,克服专业缺失的困难,钻研资料,始终奋战在科研一线,由于配套单位遍布全国,每一次出差走大半个中国是常事,跟产总路程2.3万公里,由于长期疲劳,急性肾炎找上了门,他也只是在医院门诊打完点滴就返回到工作岗位上,只为了赶进度。 2012年底结构系统多个状态产品同时在投产,生产周期很紧,在关键产品生产期间,他在零下十几度的厂房内跟产,一跟就是15天。
在他的带领下,这个团队30天完成四大系统方案论证和方案设计;115天完成型号详细设计;10个月完成从方案论证到系统总装对接,创下型号研制的奇迹,为演示验证圆满成功提供了重要保障。
带人育人,引领后人的指路明灯。他共带了11个徒弟,其中有1位成长为副总师,3为成长为主任设计师,2位成长为研究室主任,多位被评为研究员和高级工程师,多名研究生走上工作岗位成为业务骨干;做领导带团队,面对一个工程经验几乎为零的年轻队伍,他把多年的业务经验和知识积累融入日常工作,与大家一起战斗在一线。
自2011年调入研发中心至今,身兼数职,项目技术负责人、室主任、副总师,在每一个角色中都尽职尽责。管理团队,人格魅力引领着团队不断进步;主抓技术,顾全大局,以总体最优为目标;项目技术总负责,高瞻远瞩,及时抓住问题核心,快速推进项目进程。

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzI0MjIzNzc2Mg==&mid=504017638&idx=1&sn=b63837c0ba5315f1743ebbc6dcb6de3f

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Article #2 google translation below
Note1: hospital room (default google translation) = clean room / laboratory / facility
Note2: bold emphasis are mine
Note3: 姚世东 / Yaoshi Dong is also transcribed as YAO SHIDONG in patent literature
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A hospital room thirteen Yaoshi Dong, director of R & D Center
2016-04-28 China Aerospace Workers Window

A hospital room thirteen research center director Yaoshi Dong
Comrade Yaoshi Dong engaged in the aerospace industry for 30 years, is committed to the overall structure of launch vehicle design, and responsible participation of six models of the structure of the overall launch vehicle development work, technical bottleneck breakthrough five, six overcome technical problems, develop a six, the hospital, Group and GJB standards and design specifications, get six ministerial-level scientific and technological progress and national defense, military scientific and technological progress awards and the China aerospace Foundation Award and other awards.
He focused on the grass-roots, practical work hard technical experts. 2011 to 2013, is the initial and crucial stage of a model demonstration projects, he led almost no engineering experience of the young team, to overcome the difficulties of professional missing, study materials, always fighting in the research line, since the supporting units throughout the country, every trip down half of China are common, with a total production capacity from 23,000 km due to chronic fatigue, acute nephritis find the door, he just kick drip in hospital outpatient return to the workplace, only to finish the work. By the end of 2012 the structure of the system in multiple states at the same time production of products, the production cycle is very tight, key products during production, he more than ten degrees below zero in the plant with the production, is the one with the 15 days.
Under his leadership, the team 30 days to complete the four demonstration system plan and program design; 115 days to complete the detailed design model; 10 months to complete from the program to demonstrate the docking system assembly, setting model developed by miracle, a success for the demonstration It provides an important guarantee.
People with education, leading beacon for future generations. He took a total of 11 apprentices, which has grown into a division vice president, as chief designer for the growth of 3, 2 grown research director, was named a number of researchers and engineers, took over the work of graduate students Post become the backbone of business; to do with the leadership team, the face of a young engineering team experience almost zero, he accumulated many years of business experience and knowledge of integration into the daily work, with everyone fighting in the front line together.
Since 2011 it has been transferred to the research center, several roles, project technical director, director, division vice president, a role in each of due diligence. Management team, charisma to lead the team to progress; concentrating on technology, the overall situation in the best overall target; project technical director, visionary, timely grasp the core of the problem, the rapid advance of the project process.

A.

The attached image is a screengrab of the #2 article where the couple of engineer picture, renamed "miliia41" by [ELIXIR] exhibits the following css source characteristics:

img data-type="jpeg"
data-s="300,640"
data-w=""
data-ratio="1.0323741007194245"
data-src="http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz/G69j1S20tiaVuM5Ob1KpAJgV97UPicib6…BaJib8jrg271xicJR72Bt6o8Bd3JgJPWeibjvwficblUHQ/0?wx_fmt=jpeg"
style="width: auto ! important; visibility: visible ! important; height: auto ! important;"
src="http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz/G69j1S20tiaVuM5Ob1KpAJgV97UPicib6…6o8Bd3JgJPWeibjvwficblUHQ/640?wx_fmt=jpeg&wxfrom=5&wx_lazy=1">


PS) edit: in a previous version of this post, I wrongly associated an erroneous date to article #2, which is what happens with cutnpaste… - now fixed
 

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antigravite said:
Hi.

Something else of interest popped up from a July 8, 2012 online article discussing, among others, Chinese work in an (alleged) orbital bomber project (I prefer to be careful) while browsing baidu image with the following keyword: 遨天一号

Picture extracted from:
http://fxb.591hx.com/article/2012-07-09/0000055663s.shtml

This is weird. I really missed this image, and wonder both the context, and why markings are in English (something BLACK).

Anyone? Guess what?

A.

That photo with "black" looks like "jet" maybe the first part, plus the colour scheme and the fern leaf would point toward some sort of New Zealand link ;)
 
muttbutt said:
antigravite said:
Hi.

Something else of interest popped up from a July 8, 2012 online article discussing, among others, Chinese work in an (alleged) orbital bomber project (I prefer to be careful) while browsing baidu image with the following keyword: 遨天一号

Picture extracted from:
http://fxb.591hx.com/article/2012-07-09/0000055663s.shtml

This is weird. I really missed this image, and wonder both the context, and why markings are in English (something BLACK).

Anyone? Guess what?

A.

That photo with "black" looks like "jet" maybe the first part, plus the colour scheme and the fern leaf would point toward some sort of New Zealand link ;)

Thank you for this tip / lead.

A.
 
muttbutt said:
antigravite said:
Hi.

Something else of interest popped up from a July 8, 2012 online article discussing, among others, Chinese work in an (alleged) orbital bomber project (I prefer to be careful) while browsing baidu image with the following keyword: 遨天一号

Picture extracted from:
http://fxb.591hx.com/article/2012-07-09/0000055663s.shtml

This is weird. I really missed this image, and wonder both the context, and why markings are in English (something BLACK).

Anyone? Guess what?

A.

That photo with "black" looks like "jet" maybe the first part, plus the colour scheme and the fern leaf would point toward some sort of New Zealand link ;)

Correct - it's a model of the New Zealand Jetblack World Landspeed Record hybrid rocket car design, see http://www.tflcar.com/2012/10/new-zealands-jetblack-will-be-powered-solely-by-rockets-to-reach-1000-mph/.

Martin
 
martinbayer said:
muttbutt said:
antigravite said:
Hi.

Something else of interest popped up from a July 8, 2012 online article discussing, among others, Chinese work in an (alleged) orbital bomber project (I prefer to be careful) while browsing baidu image with the following keyword: 遨天一号

Picture extracted from:
http://fxb.591hx.com/article/2012-07-09/0000055663s.shtml

This is weird. I really missed this image, and wonder both the context, and why markings are in English (something BLACK).

Anyone? Guess what?

A.

That photo with "black" looks like "jet" maybe the first part, plus the colour scheme and the fern leaf would point toward some sort of New Zealand link ;)

Correct - it's a model of the New Zealand Jetblack World Landspeed Record hybrid rocket car design, see http://www.tflcar.com/2012/10/new-zealands-jetblack-will-be-powered-solely-by-rockets-to-reach-1000-mph/.

Martin

Thank you.

A.
 
...
 

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Aerospace vehicle landing approach flight test hanging rack
http://www.google.com/patents/CN103587689A?cl=en
Publication number CN103587689 A
Publication type Application
Application number CN 201310485223
Publication date Feb 19, 2014
Filing date Oct 16, 2013
Priority date Oct 16, 2013
Also published as CN103587689B
Inventors 邓云飞, 张帆, 吴迪, 陈飞, 姚纳新, 张晓帆, 张沥, 韩威
Applicant 中国运载火箭技术研究院


Hanging frame for helicopter to deliver aircraft at low speed and aircraft attitude control method
http://www.google.com/patents/CN104260889A?cl=en
Publication number CN104260889 A
Publication type Application
Application number CN 201410438725
Publication date Jan 7, 2015
Filing date Aug 29, 2014
Priority date Aug 29, 2014
Inventors 袁利平, 詹景坤, 张世军, 吴俊辉, 李永远, 王征, 张月玲, 黄喜元, 曹霄辉, 郑宏涛, 曹晓瑞, 陈洪波, 杨勇, 朱永贵, 彭小波
Applicant 中国运载火箭技术研究院


also citing the following
赵俊岩等: "某型飞机挂架综合检测仪设计与实现", 《计算机测量与控制》, no. 3, 25 March 2013 (2013-03-25), pages 827 - 829
Zhao Yan et al: . "A certain type of aircraft pylon integrated detector design and implementation", Computer Measurement & Control, No.3, 25 March 2013 (2013-03-25), pages 827-829
Abstract (google translate): A variety of aircraft pylons test items , and the existing detection methods restricts the efficiency of security and emergency combat capability of equipment ; on the basis of analytical testing requirements on the design of embedded systems with PC104 as the control center of the testing equipment, in the form of Windows XP operating system, using VC ++ 6.0 as the programming language for software development using modular design method development software, application of multi-threading technology to achieve real-time, using data received production rules knowledge representation and reasoning forward realized the fault diagnosis expert system inference and validation; testing equipment in the actual testing process is stable, to meet the design requirements , to achieve a comprehensive off-site testing and fault diagnosis of certain aircraft pylons fast, reliable infield improve maintenance efficiency.
 
err… Very, very interesting anyway.
Two Three patents from CALT associated with landing gear system engineering.

A.

High-reliability landing gear control system
Inventor(s): ZHANG QINGLI; YAO SHIDONG; ZHANG TAO; WANG YUE; KONG WENQIN; WANG TAO; XU FANGZHOU; SHI XIAOLIANG; PENG BO; JIA LEI; MU XINGKE; ZHANG XIAOFAN; LI YONGJUN; CHEN FEI +
Applicant(s): CN ACADEMY LAUNCH VEHICLE TECH
Application number: CN20141469980 20140915
Priority number(s): CN20141469980 20140915
Abstract The invention relates to a high-reliability landing gear control system. The high-reliability landing gear control system comprises a control driving unit and an EMAC driving circuit, wherein the control driving circuit comprises a power supply transformation power distribution module, a 1553B bus interface module, a CPU processing unit, a steering motor driving circuit, a solenoid valve driving circuit and an analog quantity signal processing circuit, wherein the CPU processing unit comprises a taking-up and releasing control module, a front wheel steering control module and an anti-skid braking driving control module; the landing gear control system adopts a driving and control integrated design, the CPU processing unit can be used for achieving combined control on taking up and releasing of a landing gear and a cabin door, the steering of a front wheel, and the anti-skid braking of an electro-mechanical actuator of a main engine wheel, and the system is light in weight, low in power consumption, high in reliability and good in environment adaptation, and can be widely applied to novel spacecraft landing recovery systems and traditional aircraft landing gear systems.

Electrically-driven nose wheel steering device for unmanned aerial vehicle
CN105173066 (A)
Inventor(s): KONG WENQIN; XU FANGZHOU; WANG YUE; WANG TAO; ZHANG QINGLI; SHI XIAOLIANG; JIA LEI; PENG BO; YAO SHIDONG; LI YONGJUN; CHEN FEI +
Applicant(s): CN ACADEMY LAUNCH VEHICLE TECH +
Application number: CN20151604407 20150921
Priority number(s): CN20151604407 20150921
Abstract The invention relates to an electrically-driven nose wheel steering device for an unmanned aerial vehicle. The electrically-driven nose wheel steering device comprises a steering drive actuator, a steering torque arm, a link assembly and a drum assembly, wherein a motor in the steering drive actuator drives an output shaft to rotate through a transmission mechanism; the steering torque arm rotates along with the output shaft, the steering torque arm is connected to the link assembly through a knuckle bearing, and the link assembly drives the drum assembly to rotate; and the drum assembly is connected with an upper torque arm of an undercarriage torque arm, and drives nose wheels to steer through the undercarriage torque arm. The electrically-driven nose wheel steering device disclosed by the invention is driven by the motor, has the advantages of being light in weight, high in reliability and maintainability, and the like, as well as is more applicable to undercarriage systems of small and medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles. The electrically-driven nose wheel steering device disclosed by the invention is obtained through an improvement on the basis of the existing undercarriage structure, and an undercarriage does not need to be re-designed, thus avoiding the high cost brought by the re-designing.

Large-loading multi-point coordinated undercarriage fixed connection structure
Inventor(s): GU CHUNHUI; XIONG YANLI; TANG QINGCHUN; ZHANG LI; TIAN TIAN; CUI SHENSHAN; CUI ZHANDONG; ZHANG FAN; LI XIAOLE; XU JIAN; WU DI; HAN WEI +
Applicant(s): CN ACADEMY LAUNCH VEHICLE TECH
Application number: CN20151527840 20150825
Priority number(s): CN20151527840 20150825
Abstract The invention relates to a large-loading multi-point coordinated undercarriage fixed connection structure which comprises a main undercarriage fixed connection joint girder, an inside pressure bar, an outside pressure bar and an undercarriage diagonal draw bar joint, and an undercarriage diagonal draw bar adaptor can be selectively arranged according to practical situations. An undercarriage diagonal draw bar is connected to the undercarriage diagonal draw bar joint through the undercarriage diagonal draw bar adaptor, the undercarriage diagonal draw bar joint is connected with an undercarriage bulkhead stiffening girder and an undercarriage intersection frame, and two ends of the inside pressure bar and the outside pressure bar are respectively connected with the main undercarriage fixed connection joint girder and the undercarriage diagonal draw bar adaptor so as to form an integral force transfer system, thereby dispersing the load of the main undercarriage fixed connection joint girder, effectively reducing the load transferred from the undercarriage diagonal draw bar joint to the undercarriage bulkhead stiffening girder and the undercarriage intersection frame, also reducing the load transferred from the main undercarriage fixed connection joint girder to a fuselage, and further effectively solving the problem of large landing load of the undercarriage.

NB) Technical drawings of the landing gear system attached below are extracted from the third patent listed herein.
 

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Err… Quite an interesting silhouette. Getting closer????

A.

Lifting appliance structure used for lifting and overturning aircraft
CN105060089 (A)
Inventor(s): LI BO; CHEN LIANG; RONG HUA; YUAN YUAN; SHI MIQING; ZHAO JIANBO; DU PENGFEI; WAN SHUANG; SHA AN AN; LIU YEBAO; ZHENG SIXING; DONG YANMIN; WANG FEI +
Applicant(s): CN ACADEMY LAUNCH VEHICLE TECH +
Application number: CN20151441110 20150724
Priority number(s): CN20151441110 20150724
Abstract: A lifting appliance structure used for lifting and overturning an aircraft comprises a front lifting fame, a front lifting arm, an L-shaped lifting beam, a rear lifting frame, a locking sliding block, a front lifting clasp and a rear lifting clasp. The front lifting frame is connected with the front lifting arm through a hinge. The vertical rod end of the L-shaped lifting beam is connected with the rear lifting frame through a hinge, and the transverse rod end of the L-shaped lifting beam is connected with the front lifting arm. The locking sliding block is located on the transverse rod of the L-shaped lifting beam, and a double-lifting lug is arranged at the bottom of the locking sliding block and connected with the front lifting clasp. The front lifting clasp and the rear lifting clasp are each divided into two parts, and through holes are formed between the two parts of the front lifting clasp and the two parts of the rear lifting clasp respectively, after assembly with a front end journal and a rear end journal of the aircraft is finished, the two parts of the front lifting clasp and the two parts of the rear lifting clasp are buckled and connected through bolts. According to the scheme of the lifting appliance, the overall truss-type structure with the hinged front part and the fixedly connected rear part is adopted, and the lifting appliance structure used for lifting and overturning the aircraft is convenient to operate, simple, reliable, high in universality and suitable for rapid lifting and overturning of various wing-fuselage combination aircrafts, launch vehicles and the like, and has broad application prospects in the field of aerospace.
 

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Going back and forth to original information, which I still try to piece up together when I have time.

NWPU was said to be involved in the alleged 2013 flight test. For which we now have a related, published TAEM patent (late discovery, I know). TAEM stands for "Terminal Area Energy Management", and is commonly associated with gliding, shuttle-like landing phase ops. So in more than a way, this happens to be an interesting patent, really.

A.

Geometric-programming-based gliding aircraft terminal area energy management trajectory planning method
Patent No. CN104714553 (A)
Inventor(s): ZHOU JUN; LU QING; WANG HUAN; HU WEIJUN +
Applicant(s): UNIV NORTHWESTERN POLYTECHNIC +
Application number: CN2015118082 20150114
Priority number(s): CN2015118082 20150114
Abstract: The invention discloses a geometric-programming-based gliding aircraft terminal area energy management trajectory planning method which is used for solving the technical problem that an existing gliding aircraft terminal area energy management trajectory planning method is poor in practicability. According to the technical scheme, on the basis of the state of an aircraft entering a TAEM section, a geometric programming method is utilized for rapidly planning a reasonable and feasible TAEM plane trajectory; on the basis of the TAEM plane trajectory planning, height deduction is performed, and therefore a complete trajectory planning strategy is given. Due to the fact that the aircraft enters an entry of an automatic landing section in a spiral-line mode in the geographic planning process, the sudden overload change phenomenon is effectively avoided, and therefore the requirement for the aircraft maneuverability is lowered; meanwhile, during trajectory planning, the state of the aircraft at the TAEM section at the initial moment is considered, corresponding flight paths are planned in a classified mode for the entering state of the aircraft, the reasonable trajectory can be rapidly planned, the requirements for different entering directions are met, and the planning speed is high through simulation verification.

Also, as an attached image, interesting RLV shape from another Chinese TAEM patent…
 

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Hi.

Many things, here, in this thread:

http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&action=printable&tid=13234

with loads of original references to Aotian-1 related material published in Chinese literature.

Of particular interest here (in this bbs.9ifly thread) is a pretty active Chinese forum member, [IGNIX]. Who ever uses this alias investigated on his own Aotian-1, and periodically listed all CALT patents of interest likely associated with this semi-classified CALT reusable aerospace shuttle project (it were classified, patents would never have been released by patent military censorship, as in any other country). Some of this collected material was most likely used by [ELIXIR] (see my first post footnote on this team) to make this information partly available on French aerospace forums, and to certain extent, defintels.

Because I feel this Chinese link given above -- which had, until now, escaped my attention (yep s… happens!)--, is of utmost importance, I am reposting here significant pieces of information extracted from it, for other SPF researchers or interested parties.

Be aware that [IGNIX] organized patent lists by inventor names, which is another clever way to look at things. He thus identifies key researchers and project managers occasionally mentioned in news articles, blogs, grey lit, etc. [IGNIX] latest update dates back to May 5, 2016 and included some patents screengrabs herein attached.

Enjoy.

A.

姚世东参与的专利 [ YAO SHIDONG, in western patent lit transcription] :

一种可重复展收太阳电池阵板间展开机构. February 19, 2014: CN201310485247.2
一种自限位四连杆空间机构. February 19, 2014: CN201310485450.X
一种空间飞行器对开式舱门展收机构. February 19, 2014: CN201310528547.4
一种太阳电池阵双轴对日定向机构. December 24, 2014: CN201410469424.2
一种高可靠起落架控制系统. December 24, 2014: CN201410469980.X
一种飞行器舱门锁机构. January 28, 2015: CN201410557167.8
一种内置铰链式空间舱门展收机构. January 28, 2015: CN201410559432.6
一种全向止动单面连接固定装置. December 2, 2015: CN154052830
一种无人机电驱动前轮转弯装置. December 23, 2015: CN154122351
一种基于有限元方法的飞行器舱门密封载荷计算方法. January 20, 2016: CN154645156


张庆利参与的专利:

一种适用于飞行器全动V尾的定位驱动机构. March 5, 2014: CN201310474127.2
一种适用于飞行器活动舵面的双摇臂传动机构. January 21, 2015: CN201410557437.5
一种适用于太阳电池阵的锁紧释放机构. January 28, 2015: CN201410557414.4
一种适用于飞行器全动V尾的轴承盒固定连接结构. February 11, 2015: CN201420543205.X
一种适用于气体作动的缓冲作动装置. March 4, 2015: CN201410539826.5
一种适用于无人机的舵面差分驱动机构. December 16, 2015: CN154094403
一种舵面传动机构总体参数优化方法. December 23, 2015: CN154122390

王悦参与的专利:

基于多舱段航天器混合模态预示方法. February 13, 2013: CN201210431037.0
一种冗余空间机械臂在轨抓捕的轨迹规划方法. April 3, 2013: CN201210520049.0
一种适用于穿梭往返大气层的飞行器机翼. December 31, 2014: CN201410438841.0
一种空间三向传载的复合材料框梁连接铰链支座接头. February 11, 2015: CN201420529660.4
一种外形贯穿飞行器机身的复合材料梁结构. December 16, 2015: CN154098848


其他相关专利:

一种空天飞行器着陆进场飞行试验挂架. February 19, 2014: CN201310485223.7
一种适应于复合材料结构的无损伤装配紧固件. February 11, 2015: CN201420513613.0
一种双曲率变截面变厚度通梁的成型方法. October 28, 2015: CN153038815
一种刚度递减的复合材料一体成型舵面结构及加工方法. November 11, 2015: CN153521725
一种全向止动单面连接固定装置. December 2, 2015: CN154052830
一种大传载多点协调起落架固定连接结构. December 2, 2015: CN154052854
 

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Hi.

Quite unclear yet but… Given CALT's Aotian program pace, it maybe that a space-rated variant of this vehicle could either be tested at hypersonic speeds later this year, or flown into space. This is still very unclear: hints that something WILL happen this year started to circulate in late February / early March 2016.

Another, alternate possibility is that an "upgraded" Shenlong shows up later this year for a spacebound mission. Again, this is all very unclear since both projects (Aotian-1 and Shenlong), though competitors, might also be connected to an extent I haven't been able to determine yet. So take all this post with a tiny grain of salt. Again, this is my two cent forecast, not factual information, certainly not an announcement. Just thinking loud and clear in this almost voiceless thread.

A hint of what may happen might be found in CALT's RLV roadmap unveiled in 2006 at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Valencia, Spain. Next move should be a Mach 15 flight test, with demonstrator launched atop 1st stage rocket. Something like ISRO's recently held RLV-TD test but significantly different: Chinese work hard on the ability to head back to launch site or glide back and land safely on a strip, and this is quite different.

A.

PS) Another paper of interest is: Yang Yong(R&D centre,China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology,Beijing,100076);"Study on Roadmap of Chinese Reusable Launch Vehicle"[J];Missiles and Space Vehicles;2006-04 // abstract: Reusable launch vehicle(RLV) is a main development trend of space transportation system.As the expendable launch vehicles are more and more mature,many countries have paid more attention to RLV concept and its’ key technologies.The state-of-the-art and the development trend of RLV is analyzed and a road map of China RLV technology development is presented.
 
Hi.

Chinese space shuttle history background information (2012-2014).

Tony Reichhardt, "Why China Doesn’t Have a Space Shuttle," Air & Space Smithonian, Airspacemag.com, 05/07/2012
http://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/why-china-doesnt-have-a-space-shuttle-774867

based on must-read:

Gregory Kulacki (Union of Concerned Scientists), "Why China is Building a Space Station," UCS Backgrounder, 06/2012 (pdf)
http://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/legacy/assets/documents/nwgs/why-china-is-building-a-space-station-06-12-12.pdf

Other papers / sources of interest:

Sinodefence editor, "China's Spaceplane program," Sinodefence.com, 22/02/2014
https://sinodefence.com/2014/02/22/chinas-spaceplane-programme/

Discussing program 863-204, program 863-706, 869, 921-3, etc.

Andrew Erickson and Gabe Collins, “Spaceplane Development Becomes a New Dimension of Emerging U.S.-China Space Competition,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国), No. 62 (16 August 2012)
http://www.andrewerickson.com/2012/08/china-signpost-62-spaceplane-development-becomes-a-new-dimension-of-emerging-us-china-space-competition/

Paul Drye, "Tianjiao 1/Changcheng 1/V-2/H-2: The Chinese Spaceplane", False Steps - The space race as it might have been [blog], 27/10/2012
https://falsesteps.wordpress.com/2012/10/27/tian-jiao-1chang-cheng-1v-2h-2-the-chinese-spaceplane/


- - - - - -

Also see for the context:
Chinese Hypersonic Developments comments from [ELIXIR] on a French-based forum
http://forummarine.forumactif.com/t7274-information-developpement-des-technologies-hypersoniques

A.
 
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/778639310161448960

3 years as Aotian-1 [testbed?] has performed high-speed autonomous approach and landing flight test(s)
 

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Great find Flateric. Really.

This image which leaves more questions than answers, and seems to confirm something actually happened 3 years ago (I never doubted that).

The Aotian-1 vehicle is not pictured.

What we see here, a now fully identifiable landing tail-numbered Mi-26 TC, lifting a red-colored (empty) support structure connected to a lagging, white, unfolded stabilizing parachute.

Contextual analysis
[list type=decimal]
[*]The still image is likely extracted from a video from: https://www.weibo.com/u/2032349831 (to which I have not been able to connect for lack of security)
[*]A Chinese twitter account image is used for caption, and reads:
"遨天一号/Aotian-1】2013.09.21 高速自主进场着陆飞行试验。可能是类似X-37B的一种小型航天飞机"

[*]This Chinese caption roughly googletranslates as:
"2013.09.21 speed autonomous approach and landing flight tests. X-37B may be similar to a small space shuttle."
[*]This twitter caption implies Aotian-1 is a possible direct response to the US, military-grade X-37B.
[/list]

Maybe this celebration means Aotian-2 is already on its way…Maybe we hear about Shenlong in a couple of weeks…

Thx as always.

A.
 
Hi.

Attached is -- to my understanding -- a picture of the flight Test team, celebrating success three years ago, after the 2013 test was performed.
Picture taken in a train station.

A.
 

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Hi. [size=10pt]This is very important news.[/size]

The proselyting [Elixir] organization has announced very late, on September 28 2016, on the French "formum de la conquete spatiale" (FCS), that China had likely flown tested in the Gobi desert, one of its aerospace hypersonic demonstrators, be it Aotian or Shenlong (which seems to have been flown tested MANY times anyway). This piece of information was filed on FCS in the " Avion Spatial "Ao Tian 1" " thread, here:
http://www.forum-conquete-spatiale.fr/t16416-information-avion-spatial-ao-tian-1

Added. The very same information was initially published by the [Elixir] organization on Sept.24 on another French military forum, "Forum marine", in the hypersonic thread here:
http://forummarine.forumactif.com/t7274p75-information-developpement-des-technologies-hypersoniques
(This had escaped my attention, at first.)

The [Elixir] organization base their information on NOTAM analysis, among others.

To access the [Elixir] organization review article / announcement on their newly-created website, users must be registered and logged in.

A few months back, [Elixir] anticipated that something would happen along these lines, teasing their audience…

Please please please China watchers, help me fact-check, review, confirm this event. Fact-checking is KEY. Thx.

A.

PS) Wow, I look back at my Sept 25 previous message and quite honestly, I did not expect that such an event would happen so soon; but there were so many indicators and warnings (I&W).
 
Hi there,

China seems to have flown tested, once again, it experimental airbreathing hypersonic vehicle.

Info posted on this other China AVIC hypersonic vehicle thread:
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,27943.0.html

Alltogether (various programs), this would make 4 hypersonic flight tests in October 2016, claimed by the [Elixir] organization!

A.
 
LATER EDIT

Back onto the trail of Aotian,

Another piece of the jigsaw.
Here is a CALT patent which might be related to either Aotian-1 or a space rated yet to be flown (Aotian-2 for lack of better designation).

Patent title: Mortise and tenon type wing rudder structure suitable for reentry vehicle
Patent No.: CN105416566
Issued: 2016-03-23
[abstract]: A mortise and tenon type wing rudder structure suitable for a reentry vehicle comprises a framework (1), an upper side skin (2), a lower side skin (3) and fixing end covers (4), wherein the framework (1) comprises a wing beam, a rear longitudinal wall, stringers and ribs and is of a grid type framework structure; the upper side skin (2) and the lower side skin (3) cover the upper portion and the lower portion of the framework (1) respectively; the front edge ribs are distributed between the front edge of a wing rudder and the wing beam; openings used for installation of connection hanging shafts are symmetrically formed in the front edge of the wing rudder; the fixing end covers (4) are installed at the openings, perpendicular to the wing beam and connected with the upper side skin (2) and the lower side skin (3); the end wing ribs, the middle wing ribs and the fixing end covers (4) are connected with the upper side skin (2) and the lower side skin (3) through mortise and tenon connection structures. The structural mass of the wing rudder of the reentry vehicle is reduced through the mortise and tenon connection mode, and the thermal bearing capacity is improved.

EDIT Based on other patents of interest (CN105205281) this specific patent describing a "wing flap" could actually be related to another CALT project / program which could be patterned after Europe's PRE-X atmospheric reentry experimental lifting body vehicle.
A.
 

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Hi,

There seems to be a "new" organization in charge of studying RLVs, "space aircraft", "aerospaceplanes", etc. in China.

This organization is teaming up with CALT, but distinct from it.

This organization is called the "Beijing Linjin Space Aircraft System Engineering Institute".

A.
EDIT/ The organization is not new. See my msg293385 below.
 
Hi.

From an old CALT patent, with more details artwork. Aotian-1 likely wing structure…

A.
 

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antigravite said:
Hi,

There seems to be a "new" organization in charge of studying RLVs, "space aircraft", "aerospaceplanes", etc. in China.

This organization is teaming up with CALT, but distinct from it.

This organization is called the "Beijing Linjin Space Aircraft System Engineering Institute".

A.

Hi,

I did some little more homework on that. The story goes, as far back as I could determine, to 2008. On the basis of information I was able to pieced up today. This(these) institute(s) might have been created earlier, i.e. prior anything is published.
I did not investigate further down Chinese blogs, etc. Only industry-related literature.

2008: BEIJING SPACE AIRCRAFT DESIGN
2010: BEIJING NEAR SPACE AIRCRAFT SYSTEM ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE
2011: BEIJING SPACE AIRCRAFT OVERALL DESIGN DEPARTMENT
2013: BEIJING LINJIN SPACE AIRCRAFT SYSTEM ENGINEERING INSTITUTE

To conclude: I was wrong in my quoted post; the aerospace R&D institute remains very active, but it is not really "new".
One of its areas of expertise, as it seems, is sensor integration and attitude control on hypersonic/reentry vehicles.

BTW, and for those who care, there is another R&D institute, that might be related (with a specialty in CAV-like systems, such as the so-called DFZF):

2011: NEAR SPACE INSTITUTE FOR AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

A.
 
https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Factoring-Russia-into-US-Chinese-equation-hypersonic-glide-vehicles.pdf
 
bobbymike said:
https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Factoring-Russia-into-US-Chinese-equation-hypersonic-glide-vehicles.pdf

Nice find BobbyMike. Thx.
Gives a larger, picturesque contextual understanding of the hypersonic equation.
However, this is DF-ZF (strategic boost-glide) material, not Aotian (reusable spaceplane) related.
Of course, and as it sometimes happens, cross-competence and transdisciplinary work required to keep things rolling, actually blur what appears distinct at higher visible levels.

A.
 
bobbymike said:
https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Factoring-Russia-into-US-Chinese-equation-hypersonic-glide-vehicles.pdf

It's a certainty that China will have Prompt Global Strike abilities WELL before the US.
 
sferrin said:
bobbymike said:
https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Factoring-Russia-into-US-Chinese-equation-hypersonic-glide-vehicles.pdf

It's a certainty that China will have Prompt Global Strike abilities WELL before the US.
We've been giving away strategic weapons technology advantages since the end of WWII why stop now. :'(
 
bobbymike said:
sferrin said:
bobbymike said:
https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Factoring-Russia-into-US-Chinese-equation-hypersonic-glide-vehicles.pdf

It's a certainty that China will have Prompt Global Strike abilities WELL before the US.
We've been giving away strategic weapons technology advantages since the end of WWII why stop now. :'(

Yes. But one has to balance this equation with some perspective. Much has happened in the US in the black world, seemingly.

A.
 
antigravite said:
Much has happened in the US in the black world, seemingly.

A.

Given the notable lack of success in the US in white world hypersonics, I'd have to say I highly doubt it.
 
Re: Iaotian-1, a Chinese hypersonic reentry demonstrator flown tested on 20/09/2013?

SOC said:
antigravite said:
The number of potential sites where the test flight supposedly happened is limited to 30 Air Bases of interest including the Dingxin / Shuangchengzi AB which has a special missile testing unit.

Dingxin is not in the same region.

Thank you

A.
 
antigravite said:
bobbymike said:
sferrin said:
bobbymike said:
https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Factoring-Russia-into-US-Chinese-equation-hypersonic-glide-vehicles.pdf

It's a certainty that China will have Prompt Global Strike abilities WELL before the US.
We've been giving away strategic weapons technology advantages since the end of WWII why stop now. :'(

Yes. But one has to balance this equation with some perspective. Much has happened in the US in the black world, seemingly.

A.

Based on....? Unless we are have been flight testing hypersonics deep in the pacific, far away from conus, there hasn't been anything hypersonic picked up by seismology stations since the space shuttle except the x37. Hiding a fighter sized stealth aircraft in the desert is one thing, but people would notice something traveling at mach 6 and high altitude for many miles. Doing hypersonics in a black world, unknown, is next to impossible if not impossible. Could you imagine a blackworld x-15 darting around at 300k and 6 mach? No way.
 
sferrin said:
antigravite said:
Much has happened in the US in the black world, seemingly.

A.

Given the notable lack of success in the US in white world hypersonics, I'd have to say I highly doubt it.

Drop the hyperbole. We have more hypersonic experience than all the countries of the earth combined. In the white world we flew a hypersonic aircraft for decades; It was known as the Space Shuttle and it performed a large amount of hypersonic research during re-entry.
 
The question is ram and scram Propulsion, almost everyone can create a ballistic reentry vehicle, that dors not a hypersonic program make.

After doing some research my initial conclusion is that lockheed at least has variable geometry combined RAM/SCRAM engines with shock intersection and pressure induced combustion. This is based on what I've seen on the state of the a art in white world testing and more importantly the soft of papers bring turned out on hypersonic wind tunnel data and CFD.
I have US operational hypersonics research, for practical best term aircraft in AIAA papers going back at least 30 years and tentative cuts they point to test craft, ground based proof of concepts with long term positive results and web hints at previous operational aircraft, though they are obviously careful to avoid that as you don't get redactions in these papers, but I've only just started going through them.

I think for a long time high stealth sub Sub sonics and maneuvererable satellites (themselves stealthy) with better sensors (hyperspectral, space based bi static SAR etc.) was where it was at. However the need for fast tasked ISR strike platforms just wouldn't go away and if they needed to bring the Blackbird bank for 91, you can see why they would need it blue more than ever seen Anti-sat and anti stealth work advancing so quickly with tier one adversaries.

Just saying you shouldn't be surprised to see some cool stuff get rolled out in the event if national emergency. It might not be glamorous like a Habu, but a long range sensor YAV, line the d-21? Maybe...

The Chinese prisms seen to be all over the place but that impression night be misleading, deliberately or not, or they could be funding anything that moves (over Mach 5).
 
Sundog said:
Drop the hyperbole. We have more hypersonic experience than all the countries of the earth combined. In the white world we flew a hypersonic aircraft for decades; It was known as the Space Shuttle and it performed a large amount of hypersonic research during re-entry.

Which is worth just slightly more than zero when it comes to sustained hypersonic flight. Also, don't make the mistake of assuming that because we once did a thing (say, flew BGRV or ASALM PTV) that we could do it again (see the string of failures that pass for "success" in the US, or the habit of quitting at the first sign of difficulty - many times BEFORE the first sign of difficulty). The Greatest Generation has retired, or died, and taken it's can-do attitude with it. In the West anyway.
 
sferrin said:
Sundog said:
Drop the hyperbole. We have more hypersonic experience than all the countries of the earth combined. In the white world we flew a hypersonic aircraft for decades; It was known as the Space Shuttle and it performed a large amount of hypersonic research during re-entry.

Which is worth just slightly more than zero when it comes to sustained hypersonic flight. Also, don't make the mistake of assuming that because we once did a thing (say, flew BGRV or ASALM PTV) that we could do it again (see the string of failures that pass for "success" in the US, or the habit of quitting at the first sign of difficulty - many times BEFORE the first sign of difficulty). The Greatest Generation has retired, or died, and taken it's can-do attitude with it. In the West anyway.

Sferrin, you nailed it. China is active in many hypersonic programs. More than half a dozen hypersonic shuttle-related projects are on the way. Because of their political-economy, based on the plan, they are very unlikely to quit.

Back to Aotian-1, now. We should soon hear of Aotian-2 or something along these lines...

A.
 
"...Because of their political-economy, based on the plan, they are very unlikely to quit."

What if the 'plan' leads to a dead end? And regarding the 'can-do attitude' you claim has died in the west please make sure you qualify that you are speaking for yourself.
 

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