China launches 4 satellites on 1st flight of new Long March 6C rocket (video)
China launched its first Lengthy March 6C rocket, serving to the nation additional its objective of launching 100 orbital missions this yr.
The 131-foot (43-meter) Long March 6C rocket took off from the Taiyuan Satellite tv for pc Launch Middle in China’s mountainous Shanxi province at 11:21 EDT on Monday, Might 6 (0321 on Might 7). The 2-stage, single core Lengthy March 6C is designed to launch small and medium-sized satellites to each low Earth and sun-synchronous orbits. Payload sizes range relying on desired orbit, however vary from 6 to 10 tons.
The rocket carried 4 satellites on its maiden voyage, SpaceNews reported. Two of them are synthetic aperture radar, whereas the opposite two are optical Earth statement platforms.
Associated: China to debut new Long March rockets in 2024
The Lengthy March 6C makes use of a kerosene-derived gas referred to as RP-1 and liquid oxygen propellant, making it extra environmentally-friendly than earlier generations of Lengthy March rockets.
The Lengthy March 6C can accommodate quite a lot of payload faring sizes, making it adaptable for various mission necessities.
The rocket will assist China meet the rising demand from its burgeoning business area trade for automobiles able to launching small and medium-sized satellites to sun-synchronous orbits, according to China Daily.
The Lengthy March 6C was China’s 20th launch of the yr, approaching the heels of the launch of the Chang’e 6 lunar far facet pattern return mission. The nation goals to launch 100 mission this year, with roughly one third of them slated to be business missions.
