China launches Yaogan 43B remote-sensing satellites from Xichang
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Sep 03, 2024

On Tuesday morning, China successfully launched a group of remote-sensing satellites using a Long March 4B carrier rocket, as announced by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. The rocket lifted off at 9:22 am from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province, delivering the Yaogan 43B satellites into their designated orbit.

These satellites, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of CASC, are the second set in the Yaogan 43 series and the latest addition to China's growing fleet of remote-sensing satellites. These satellites are designed to detect and monitor the physical characteristics of terrestrial and maritime objects by measuring their reflected and emitted radiation.

The Yaogan series, a key component of China's remote-sensing satellite program, provides data widely utilized by government agencies, public services, and businesses.

The Long March 4B rocket, also developed by the Shanghai Academy, is capable of carrying multiple satellites with a combined weight of 2.5 metric tons into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers.

This launch marks China's 39th rocket mission of the year and the 533rd flight of the Long March rocket series, which serves as the backbone of the nation's launch vehicle capabilities.

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China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
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