A Long March-2C carrier rocket was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China on May 21, sending two satellites of "Macao Science 1" into orbit.
A Long March-2C carrier rocket, carrying two satellites of "Macao Science 1", is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China on May 21. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
"Macao Science 1", consisting of A and B satellites, is a major technological innovation program jointly launched by the Chinese mainland and Macao.
The A satellite was developed by China Spacesat Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). It is equipped with world-leading high-precision magnetic field observation payloads. The Macau University of Science and Technology was responsible for the scientific payloads of both satellites.
The Luojia 2-01 satellite developed by Wuhan University was also sent through the launch. It will be mainly used in the verification of the new systematic SAR remote sensing radar and navigation augmentation technologies.
Its launch was mainly shouldered by the CASC's China Great Wall Industry Corporation.
Developed by the CASC's China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, Long March-2C is a conventional liquid carrier rocket with a total length of about 42.3 meters and a take-off weight of about 242 metric tons. Its maximum carrying capacity in the sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers is 2 tons.
The launch on May 21 is the 474th mission of the Long March series rockets.
(Executive editor: Xie Yunxiao)
