China launched a Long March 2D carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan Province on Nov 23, sending a technology experimental satellite for satellite internet technologies into preset orbit.
A Long March 2D carrier rocket, carrying a technology experimental satellite for satellite internet technologies, blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan Province on Nov 23. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The carrier rocket, equipped with the YZ-3 upper stage, was generally developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Having completed its maiden flight in late December 2018, the YZ-3 upper stage is a new type of space transportation and is capable of sending multiple satellites into different orbits and plays a key role in flexible space access, maneuvering and utilization.
A Long March 2D carrier rocket, carrying a technology experimental satellite for satellite internet technologies, is ready for launch at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The Long March 2D carrier rocket launched on Nov 23 was also designed and built by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. It is propelled by liquid propellants and has a carrying capacity of 1.3 tons in a typical sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers.
The launch on Nov 23 was the 498th mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.
(Executive editor: Xie Yunxiao)
