Beijing, 23 April 2024 (TDI): China launched a remote sensing satellite on Sunday and said it has launched a Long March 2D carrier rocket, placing a remote sensing satellite in space.
The latest launch marked the 17th rocket launch of 2024, and the 517th flight overall for the Long March rocket family, the nation’s workhorse launch vehicle fleet.
The Long March 2D rocket, fueled by liquid propellants and boasting a liftoff thrust of 300 metric tons, is capable of launching 1.3-ton spacecraft into sun-synchronous orbits at roughly 700 kilometers (435 miles) in altitude.
The newly launched remote sensing satellite, equipped with advanced imaging technology, will play a crucial role in Earth observation, environmental monitoring, disaster management, and resource exploration.
With its high-resolution imagery and sophisticated sensors, the satellite will provide invaluable data for a wide range of applications, including agriculture, urban planning, natural resource management, and climate change monitoring.
The rocket blasted off at 7:45 am (Beijing time) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern province of Sichuan and sent the Yaogan-42 02 satellite into the preset orbit.
The launch ceremony, held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, was attended by top officials and experts from China’s space agency. Amidst cheers and applause, the satellite was propelled into orbit atop a Long March rocket, marking the beginning of its mission to explore and observe Earth from space.
China launched the satellite, Long March 2D, also known as the Chang Zheng 2D, CZ-2D, and LM-2D, which is an orbital carrier rocket.
It is a 2-stage carrier rocket mainly used for launching LEO and SSO satellites. This project has been managed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program.
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It is state-owned and has several subordinate entities that design, develop, and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment.
It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.
