On December 22, 2020, China’s new Space Carrier Rocket ‘Long March-8’ successfully launched 5 satellites into a preset orbit in its maiden flight, the rocket was launched from Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, Hainan, China. The rocket has been developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT).
i.The 5 satellites will perform in-orbit verification of microwave imaging and other technologies and conduct experiments in Space Science, remote sensing & Communication technologies.
ii. XJY-7, a classified remote sensing technology test satellite developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) was the main payload of the satellite. Mass of the satellite is understood to be around 3 tons.Four smaller payloads were also launched along with this.
iii.China National Space Administration (CNSA) has stated Long March-8 series is equipped with a recyclable design, the future variant of the rocket can be reusable.
iv.The launcher of the rocket was developed using China’s new-generation cryogenic rocket engine which adopts no-toxic propellants, making the launch process environment friendly and efficient.
Long March-8:
i.The rocket series is expected to reduce mission costs & fasten up launch schedules for commercial clients. It is based on the previous Long March rocket series.
ii.It has a length of 50.3 metres and it has a take-off mass of 356 tonnes & is capable of carrying a payload of at least 4.5 tonnes to sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kms.
iii.The rocket will satisfy China’s needs of high-density launch missions for medium & low-orbit satellites.
iv.It is capable of launching one or more satellites in a single launch, and will undertake launch networking missions for low-Earth orbit satellites.
Recent Related News:
i.On November 24, 2020, CNSA successfully launched the 8.2 tonne lunar probe namely “Chang’e-5” through Long March-5, China’s largest carrier rocket.
About China National Space Administration (CNSA):
Administrator – Zhang Kejian
Headquarters – Beijing, China
