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China launches satellite for predicting earthquakes

China launches a satellite to gather electromagnetic data that may be used in monitoring and forecasting earthquakes.

Zhangheng-1 (CSES)

Overview

Destination: Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Mission: Planetary Science

Sun-Synchronous Orbit Launch Area 4 (SLS-2 / 603) Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Zhangheng-1, also known as CSES (China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite) is a scientific mission dedicated to studying the ionospheric precursors of earthquakes. Data collected by the mission will also allow studying solar-terrestrial interactions and phenomena of solar physics. This mission is a collaboration between China National Space Administration and the Italian Space Agency. CSES satellite weighs about 730 kg and it is to reside in a 98° sun-synchronous circular orbit at an altitude about 500 km, where it is expected to operate for 5 years.

Long March 2D

Family:
Configuration: 2D

The Long March 2D, also known as the Chang Zheng 2D, CZ-2D and LM-2D, is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. It is a 2-stage carrier rocket mainly used for launching LEO and SSO satellites.

Specifications
  • Minimum Stage
    1
  • Max Stage
    2
  • Length
    38.3 m
  • Diameter
    3.35 m
  • Fairing Diameter
  • Launch Mass
    232.0 T
  • Thrust
    2962.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Long March 2D
  • Family
  • Variant
    2D
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Long March 2D
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
    $30000000
  • Low Earth Orbit
    3500.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity
    1300.0 kg

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

(CASC)

Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei Founded: 1999 Successes: 503 Failures: 14 Pending: 8

Agency Type:

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

INFO WIKI

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