FSW-0 (Jianbing 1)
FSW-0 / Jianbing 1 (Source: Chinese Internet)
FSW-0 onboard a Changzheng 2C launch vehicle (Source: Chinese Internet) |
The FSW-0 was the first variant of the FSW series. It carried a single prism-scanning panoramic camera that offered low-resolution, high-coverage images. A total of ten satellites were launched between 1974 and 1987, nine of which were successfully recovered. The first three satellites were referred to by the Chinese media as “experimental recoverable satellites” (试验型返回式卫星), whereas the subsequent satellites were referred to as “application recoverable satellite” (应用型返回式卫星). The military designation was Jianbing 1 (尖兵一号).
The FSW-0 was a film return type satellite, carrying a single prism-scanning panoramic camera that offered low-resolution, high coverage-area satellite images. The photograph films were returned to the Earth by a re-entry capsule. The later variant FSW-0 Batch 02 also carried a CCD camera to experiment the digital imaging transmission.
The FSW-0 has a blunt conical shape with a total mass of 1,790kg. The satellite is divided into two sections: the equipment module (1.644m in length) and the re-entry capsule (1.500m in length). The retro-motor is carried inside the re-entry module. The battery-powered satellite is three-axis stabilised and can remain in the orbit for 3~5 days. The satellite is equipped with a redundant flight control computer, an inertial measurement unit, and a celestial navigation camera. It employs a cold gas thrust system for orientation.
China made its first attempt to launch the FSW-0 on 5 November 1974 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, but the CZ-2 launch vehicle carrying the FSW-0 satellite exploded in the midair 20 seconds after take-off due to a disconnected cable for the rocket’s pitch rate gyro signal.
A second launch was carried out on 26 November 1975. The satellite (FSW-0 No.1) was successfully placed into the low earth orbit (Perigee: 183km; Apogee: 483km; Inclination: 63.00 deg). However, immediately after the launch the satellite began to lose pressure in its compressed air tank crucial for the satellite’s recovery. After careful consideration, the mission control decided not to bring the satellite back early so that the scheduled filming could be carried out. On day three the lost of air pressure stopped and the satellite successfully entered the re-entry trajectory under the ground command. At around 11:00 hour on 29 November, the re-entry capsule of FSW-0 No.1 landed in Liupanzi, Guizhou Province, about 400km off the targeted landing spot. The photograph films were retrieved successfully.
The improved FSW-0 No.2 was launched and recovered in December 1976. Since then, the FSW-0 launch mission had been carried out on a regular basis from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, normally once a year between August and December. The last mission was carried out in August 1987.
Mission Details
No. of launches: 9
Typical orbit: 170 x 500km, 57°~63° inclination; period 91.1 min
Typical mission duration: 3~5 days
Specifications
Length: 3.14m
Maximum diameter: 2.20m
Mass: 1,790kg
Payload: 750kg
Associated Contractors
Associated Launch Site
- Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre - Launch Complex 2 - Pad 138
Associated Launch Vehicle
- Changzheng 2 - The unsuccessful launch in 1974, and the 1st to the 3rd mission
- Changzheng 2C - The 5th to the 9th mission
Last update: 16 Sept 2011