China has launched a Long March-2D carrier rocket, deploying a new remote-sensing satellite in space.
The rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan and sent the Yaogan-42 01 satellite into the preset orbit. It was the 515th flight mission of the Long March series rockets.”
The Long March 2D, also known as the Chang Zheng 2D, CZ-2D, and LM-2D, is a Chinese two-stage orbital carrier rocket mainly used for launching LEO and SSO satellites. It is manufactured by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST).
As per the reports, the Long March 2D made its maiden flight on 9 August 1992. It was initially used to launch FSW-2 and FSW-3 reconnaissance satellites.
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 in altitude.
This mission marks China’s 15th rocket launch of 2024 and the 515th flight overall for the Long March rocket family, the nation’s workhorse launch vehicle fleet.
Yaogan-42 01 is the latest addition to China’s growing fleet of remote-sensing satellites. These spacecrafts play a crucial role in Earth observation, utilizing reflected and emitted radiation to detect and monitor physical characteristics of objects on land and at sea.
As per the various reports, “Both the Yaogan-42 01 satellite and the Long March 2D rocket were designed and manufactured by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of CASC.”
