China advances space capabilities with latest multirole satellite launch

Written by Copernical Team Saturday, 30 March 2024 23:14

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Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 28, 2024

In a significant advancement of China's space endeavors, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) successfully launched the Yunhai 3B satellite into orbit using the Long March 6A carrier rocket. The launch occurred at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province at 6:51 am on Wednesday, marking a notable achievement in the country's space mission portfolio. T

China advances space capabilities with latest multirole satellite launch
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 28, 2024

In a significant advancement of China's space endeavors, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) successfully launched the Yunhai 3B satellite into orbit using the Long March 6A carrier rocket. The launch occurred at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province at 6:51 am on Wednesday, marking a notable achievement in the country's space mission portfolio.

The Yunhai 3B, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of CASC, is a multirole satellite designed for comprehensive environmental monitoring. It will play a pivotal role in observing atmospheric, marine, and space environments, thereby aiding in disaster prevention and mitigation efforts and supporting scientific research endeavors.

This satellite is the latest addition to the series of Yunhai multifunctional satellites deployed by China, demonstrating the nation's commitment to expanding its capabilities in space-based environmental observation and scientific exploration.

The Long March 6A, the medium-lift launch vehicle utilized in this mission, features a 50-meter, liquid-propelled core booster augmented by four solid-fuel side boosters. It is equipped with a pair of 120-ton-thrust engines, using liquid oxygen and kerosene as propellants. The rocket, boasting a liftoff weight of 530 metric tons, is specially designed to transport payloads to various orbits, including sun-synchronous, low-Earth, and intermediate circular orbits.

This mission underscores China's vigorous space launch schedule, being the 14th space mission conducted this year and the 514th flight in the Long March rocket series. With around 100 rocket launches planned for 2024, China is on track to bolster its space exploration and satellite deployment capabilities significantly.

Based on a Xinhua News Agency article