Watch the Launch

Additional Media

L-SAR4-01 (LTDC-4A)

Circle Image

Overview

Destination: Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit
Mission: Earth Science

Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

China’s (and globally) first synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite being put into geosynchronous orbit. It can provide unprecedented all-time Earth observations of an area near the same longitude and can provide unique non-interrupted observations for various uses.

Updates

hitura-nobad • Aug. 12, 2023, 6:31 p.m.

launch success.


Cosmic_Penguin • Aug. 12, 2023, 1:27 p.m.

Rescheduled to August 12 UTC per new NOTAMs.


Cosmic_Penguin • Aug. 11, 2023, 3:04 p.m.

Related NOTAMs for August 11 UTC have all been removed.


Cosmic_Penguin • Aug. 8, 2023, 9:25 a.m.

Refined launch window per NOTAMs.


Cosmic_Penguin • Aug. 8, 2023, 6:52 a.m.

Added launch per NOTAMs; Payload and launch vehicle identity uncertain.


Long March 3

Family:
Configuration: B/E

The Long March 3B / E (G2) (CZ-3B / E) is one of the most successful medium-range launchers and the strongest variant of the CZ-3 series. It was specially developed for the transport of heavy communications satellites into a geostationary transfer orbit. The additional designation "E" stands for a higher payload fairing, stretched boosters and extended fuel tanks at the first stage, over the CZ-3B.

Specifications
  • Stages
    3
  • Length
    56.3 m
  • Diameter
    3.35 m
  • Fairing Diameter
    4.2 m
  • Launch Mass
    456.0 T
  • Thrust
    5924.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Long March 3
  • Family
  • Variant
    B/E
  • Alias
    CZ-3B/E
  • Full Name
    Long March 3B/E
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
    $70000000
  • Low Earth Orbit
    12000.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
    5500.0 kg
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

(CASC)

Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei Founded: 1999 Successes: 470 Failures: 14 Pending: 6

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

Related News

The Launch Pad

China Launches World's First Geosynchronous Orbit Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite

China has launched what is believed to be the world's first geosynchronous orbit synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, marking a significant advancement in its space capabilities.

SpaceNews

China launches first geosynchronous orbit radar satellite

China launched what is thought to be the world’s first geosynchronous orbit synthetic aperture radar satellite on Saturday.

Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Launch Complex 2 (LC-2)


Falcon 9
Success
6 days, 5 hours ago
Crew-9
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

SpaceX Crew-9 is the ninth crewed operational flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station as part of NASA's Commercial Crew…


Long March 2D
Success
1 week ago
Shijian 19
Launch Area 4 (SLS-2 / 603) - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Shijian 19 is a Chinese recoverable satellite for hoisting various scientific experiments in microgravity. Unlike previous similar Chinese satelli…


H-IIA
Success
1 week, 1 day ago
IGS Radar 8
Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1 - Tanegashima Space Center, Japan

The IGS Radar 8 is a Japanese radar reconnaissance satellite. The satellite is operated by the Cabinet Satellite Information Center. The satellite se…


Falcon 9
Success
1 week, 2 days ago
Starlink Group 9-8
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 20 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Kinetica 1
Success
1 week, 2 days ago
5 satellites
Launch Area 130 - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Carried 5 satellites to Sun-synchronous orbit: * Zhongke-01/02 * Jilin-1 SAR-01A * Yunyao-21/22


Smart Dragon 3
Success
1 week, 3 days ago
8 satellites
Haiyang Spaceport - Sea Launch

Carried 8 satellites to a 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit: * Tianyi-41 * Luojia 4-01 * Fudan-1 * Tianyan-15 * Jitianxing A-01 * Xingshidai-15/21…


Electron
Success
2 weeks ago
Kinéis Killed the RadIoT Star (Kinéis 6-10)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A - Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Second batch of five satellites for the French Kinéis IoT constellation designed to operate with 25 nanosatellites of 30 kg each.


Falcon 9
Success
2 weeks ago
Starlink Group 9-17
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 20 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Kuaizhou
Success
2 weeks ago
Tianqi 29-32
Mobile Launcher Pad - Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

4 small satellites for LEO Internet of Things (IoT) communication purposes.


Long March 2D
Success
2 weeks ago
Jilin-1 Wideband 02B-01 to 06
Launch Complex 9 - Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Earth observation satellites for the Jilin-1 commercial Earth observation satellites constellation.