Watch the Launch

Additional Media

微博直播


Queqiao-2

Circle Image

Overview

Destination: Lunar Orbit
Mission: Planetary Science

Lunar Orbit 201 Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

Queqiao-2 is a Chinese artificial satellite to serve as a communications relay for future Chinese lunar far side missions that cannot communicate directly with the Earth, beginning with the Chang'e 6 lunar sample return mission in 2024. It will operate from a Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) of the Moon. The launch also carries the Tiandu-1 & 2 small satellites testing cis-lunar space navigation and inter-satellite communication techniques for CNSA’s Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL).

Updates

Cosmic_Penguin • March 20, 2024, 1:08 a.m.

Launch success.


SwGustav • March 20, 2024, 12:32 a.m.

Liftoff


Cosmic_Penguin • March 18, 2024, 7:16 a.m.

Tweaked T-0.


Cosmic_Penguin • March 15, 2024, 11:12 a.m.

Updated launch window per additional NOTAMs.


Cosmic_Penguin • March 15, 2024, 7:51 a.m.

Added tentative launch date and window per NOTAMs; Identity of launch with launch vehicle and payload combination uncertain.


Long March 8

Family:
Configuration: 8

Long March 8 (Chinese: 长征八号运载火箭) is an orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology to launch up to 5000 kg to a 700 km altitude Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The rocket is based on the Long March 7 with its first stage and 2 out of its 4 boosters, along with the existing liquid hydrogen burning 3rd stage of the Long March 3A/3B/3C and 7A as its 2nd stage. A "Core Only" version omitting the boosters is also available.

Specifications
  • Stages
    2
  • Length
    50.34 m
  • Diameter
    3.35 m
  • Fairing Diameter
  • Launch Mass
    356.0 T
  • Thrust
    4800.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Long March 8
  • Family
  • Variant
    8
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Long March 8
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
    8100.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
    2800.0 kg
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity
    5000.0 kg

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

(CASC)

Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei Founded: 1999 Successes: 506 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

Related News

SpaceNews

China’s Queqiao-2 relay satellite ready to support lunar far side sample mission

The Queqiao-2 satellite has completed function and performance tests in lunar orbit, clearing China to launch its upcoming lunar far side sample return mission.

SpaceNews

China’s Queqiao-2 relay satellite enters lunar orbit

China’s Queqiao-2 communications relay satellite entered lunar orbit March 24, paving the way for a lunar far side sample return mission.

SpaceNews

China launches Queqiao-2 relay satellite to support moon missions

China launched its Queqiao-2 relay satellite Tuesday to support upcoming lunar far side and south polar missions.

SpacePolicyOnline.com

China Launches Second Lunar Communications Relay Satellite

China launched a second satellite today that will orbit the Moon to enable communications with lunar landers on the farside, which always points away from Earth. Queqiao-2, or Magpie Bridge-2, […]

NASASpaceflight

Launch Roundup: two missions to the ISS, including first Dragon 2 from SLC-40

SpaceX is preparing to launch three Falcon 9s, including two Starlink missions. Additionally, launching this week are two Chinese rockets, an Electron, and a crewed Soyuz.

Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

201


Falcon 9
Success
1 day, 2 hours ago
Starlink Group 6-75
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Firefly Alpha
Failure
3 days, 14 hours ago
FLTA006 (Message in a Booster)
Space Launch Complex 2W - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Sixth flight of the Firefly Alpha small satellite launcher, launching the demonstration mission for Lockheed Martin's new LM400 satellite bus, which …


Vega-C
Success
3 days, 18 hours ago
Biomass
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV) - Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

Biomass is an European Space Agency mission designed to measure the density of carbon stored in the world's forests. The spacecraft, built by Airbus …


Falcon 9
Success
4 days, 1 hour ago
Starlink Group 12-10
Launch Complex 39A - Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

A batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Atlas V 551
Success
4 days, 4 hours ago
Project Kuiper (KA-01)
Space Launch Complex 41 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Project Kuiper is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access, this constellation will be managed…


Falcon 9
Success
4 days, 7 hours ago
Starlink Group 11-9
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 27 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Long March 5B/YZ-2
Success
4 days, 7 hours ago
SatNet LEO Group 03
101 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

A batch of 10 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group…


Falcon 9
Success
5 days, 1 hour ago
Starlink Group 12-23
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Long March 3
Success
5 days, 12 hours ago
Tianlian 2-05
Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) - Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Tianlian is a Chinese data tracking and relay communications geostationary satellite series. The TL 2 (Tian Lian 2) satellites represent the second g…


Falcon 9
Success
1 week, 1 day ago
Starlink Group 6-74
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.