China deploys new communication technology satellite

Written by Copernical Team Tuesday, 28 January 2025 08:55

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Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 26, 2025

China successfully launched a Long March 3B carrier rocket on Thursday night, placing an experimental satellite into orbit. According to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), the nation's leading space contractor, the rocket lifted off at 11:32 pm local time from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province. The satellite, named Communication Technology Demonstrato

China deploys new communication technology satellite
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 26, 2025

China successfully launched a Long March 3B carrier rocket on Thursday night, placing an experimental satellite into orbit. According to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), the nation's leading space contractor, the rocket lifted off at 11:32 pm local time from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province.

The satellite, named Communication Technology Demonstrator 14, was quickly deployed into its designated orbit after launch. Built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of CASC, the satellite's primary mission is to test advanced space-based communication technologies, including television and radio signal relay and data transmission capabilities.

The Long March 3B rocket, also developed by a CASC subsidiary, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, is one of China's most frequently used models, known for its reliability. With a height of 56.3 meters and a diameter of 3.35 meters, the rocket is powered by liquid-propellant engines and is equipped with three stages along with four side boosters, each measuring 2.25 meters. Fully fueled, the rocket weighs 456 metric tons.

Primarily used for launching satellites into geostationary transfer orbit, the Long March 3B is capable of carrying a payload of up to 5.5 tons to this orbit. It can also support missions to other orbits, including medium-Earth and lunar transfer orbits.

This launch marks China's sixth rocket mission of the year and is the 558th flight of the Long March rocket family, which serves as the country's main fleet for space launches.