A Long March 7A carrier rocket was launched on Jan 9 at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in South China's Hainan Province, sending the Shijian 23 experimental satellite into the orbit. It was the first launch of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) in 2023.
A Long March 7A carrier rocket, carrying the Shijian 23 experimental satellite, is launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in South China's Hainan Province on Jan 9, 2023. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The Long March 7A carrier rocket developed by CASC's China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology is a new generation medium-sized high-orbit liquid launch vehicle, with a maximum geosynchronous transfer orbit capacity of 7 metric tons.
Generally developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of CASC, the Shijian 23 satellite will be mainly used for scientific experiment and technical verification. It is also the heaviest satellite ever launched by a China-developed medium-sized high-orbit carrier rocket.
In order to carry the satellite, the Long March 7A carrier rocket was equipped with a 4.2-meter diameter fairing.
To meet the future demand of heavier satellites, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology will develop a Long March 7A carrier rocket with a 5.2-meter diameter fairing and enhanced comprehensive performance.
The launch on Jan 9 was the 459th mission of the Long March families.
(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)
