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FSW-1 Imagery Intelligence

Launched by the CZ-2C booster from Jiuquan, the FSW-1 has a blunt conical shape with a length of 3.14 m, and a maximum diameter of 2.2 m, and a mass of up to 2.1 metric tons. The vehicle is divided into two major sections: the equipment and retro module (1.6 m long) and the reentry module (1.5 m long). The 3-axis-stabilized FSW-1 is powered by batteries and is controlled from the Xian Satellite Control Center. The nominal flight duration is 7-10 days (References 609-611).

FSW-1 satellites have carried imaging payloads with high resolution (10-15 m) cameras for film development on Earth and with CCD (50-m resolution) camera systems for near-realtime images. The latter system can also beused in directing the operation of the former system, thereby minimizing the wastage of film supplies if environmental conditions are unfavorable, e.g., cloud-covered. The maximum recoverable payload is 180 kg, while the maximum non-recoverable payload is 250 kg (References 611-614).

The only FSW-1 mission conducted during 1993-1994 was launched on 8 October 1993 into an orbit of 209 km by 300 km at an inclination of 57.0 degrees. In addition to an Earth observation payload, FSW-1 5 carried microgravity research equipment and a diamond-studded medallion commemorating the 100th anniversary of Chairman Mao Tse-Tung's birth. The spacecraft operated normally until 16 October when an attempt to recover the satellite failed. An attitude control system failure aligned the spacecraft 90 degrees from its desired position, causing the reentry capsule to be pushed into a higher elliptical orbit (179 km by 3031 km) instead of returning to Earth. Natural decay will not bring the capsule back until late 1995 or 1996 (References 615-620).

Unlike Russian photo recon satellites, FSW-1 spacecraft do not perform orbital maneuvers to adjust their groundtracks for prolonged observations over areas of high interest. Typical FSW-1 orbital parameters of 210 km by 310 km at inclinations of 57-63 degrees would permit high resolution photography, but the acknowledged sensors are only capable of 10-15 m resolution (film return) or 50 m resolution (digital transmission).

The currently operational FSW-1 series of imagery intelligence spacecraft have a demonstrated operational period of up to eight days. FSW satellites are normally flown only once each year and usually in the August-October period.

The FSW-1 model was introduced in September, 1987. During 1993-1994, one FSW-1 was launched, on 8 October 1993. FSW1-5 (or China 40) was launched into an orbit with an altitude of 250 km. The mission failed when an attitude control error occurred immediately before the reentry burn was initiated. Instead of returning to Earth after 10 days, the re-entry capsule was erroneously inserted into a higher elliptical orbit from which natural decay was expected to take two or more years. It re-entered on 12 March 1996, over the South Atlantic, falling in a tumbling motion which rendered its protective heat shield ineffective. Consequently, only a few fragments of the spacecraft reached the ocean surface. The reentry was widely reported by newspapers and television, as it was not known whether fragments, or indeed the whole spacecraft, would reach the Earth's surface. Such uncontrolled re- entries pose a potential risk to the population in the area covered by the object's orbit. There were prediction errors of about 10 hours five days before its atmospheric reentry and about 4 hours three days before the reentry. The level of prediction accuracy was such that at five days before the reentry the satellite could have reenterd anywhere on the Earth.

There have been no launches of the FSW-1 spacecraft since this 1993 flight.

REFERENCES

• 609. Lin Hua-bao and Min Gui-rong, "The Chinese Recoverable Satellite Program", Paper IAF-89-426, 40th Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, October 1989.
• 610. Recoverable Satellite FSW, Microgravity Test Platform, Chinese Academy of Space Technology, 1987.
• 611. Lin Hau-bao and Min Gui-rong, "Aspects of the China's Recoverable Satellite Platform", Paper IAF-93-U.2.552, 44th Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, October 1993.
• 612. J. Zhaogian and G. Lynwood-May, "China's Developing Space Program", Signal, February 1986, p. 27.
• 613. H. Changchui, "The Development of Remote Sensing in China", Space Policy, February 1989, pp.65-74.
• 614. Liu Ji-yuan and Min Gui-rong, "The Progress of China's Astronautics", U.S. Space Foundation Symposium, Colorado Springs, 1987.
• 615. Xinhua News Agency, 8 and 18 October 1993.
• 616. "LM-2C Placed a Satellite Into LEO", press release, China Great Wall Industry Corporation, 28 October 1993.
• 617. Reuter (Beijing), 18 October 1993.
• 618. UPI (Beijing), 27 December 1993.
• 619. "First Recovery Failure for Chinese FSW-1 Satellite", Jane's Intelligence Review, December 1993, p. 6.
• 620. "PRC Failure Creates Risk", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 25 October 1993, p. 71.

Sources and Resources

• The Use of Retrievable Satellites by Liu Ming Beijing Review July 1997
• Technology for Spacecraft Reentry Prediction (NO.58 1997 APR.)
• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

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