Long March 4B

Active

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)

May 10, 1999

Description

The Long March 4B (Chinese: 长征四号乙火箭), also known as the Chang Zheng 4B, CZ-4B and LM-4B is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. Launched from Launch Complex 1 at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, it is a 3-stage rocket, used mostly to place satellites into low Earth and sun synchronous orbits.

Specifications
  • Stages
    3
  • Length
    44.1 m
  • Diameter
    3.35 m
  • Fairing Diameter
  • Launch Mass
    249 T
  • Thrust
    2961 kN
Family
  • Name
    Long March 4B
  • Family
  • Variant
    B
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Long March 4B
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
    4200 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
    1500 kg
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Government
Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei
CASC 1999

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.

Long March 4B | Fengyun-3G

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
April 16, 2023, 1:36 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Fengyun-3G is a dedicated Low Earth Orbit precipitation measurement satellite, previously named FY-3RM-1, of the FY-3 series of Chinese Low Earth Orbit weather satellites.

Low Earth Orbit
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Long March 4B | Gaofen-11-04

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Dec. 27, 2022, 7:37 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Gaofen is a series of civilian Earth observation satellites developed and launched for the China High-definition Earth Observation System (CHEOS), a state-sponsored programme aimed to develop a near-real time, all-weather, global surveillance network consisting of satellite, near-space (stratosphere) airships, and aerial observation platforms.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Inventory Satellite (TECIS)

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Aug. 4, 2022, 3:08 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Note: Launch vehicle and payload uncertain. The Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Monitoring Satellite (TECIS) is intended to evaluate forest biomass, measure atmospheric aerosol content, and detect photosynthetic fluorescence. These measurements will contribute to efforts to combat global warming. The satellite carries 4 instruments: Multi-Beam LIDAR, Directional Multi-Spectral Camera, Directional Polarization Camera, and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Hyper-Spectral Monitor (SIFIS) The satellite will operate in a sun-synchronous orbit at a height of 506 km, at 10:30 AM local time in the descending mode, with a designed lifetime of 8 years.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Shijian 6 Group 05

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Dec. 10, 2021, 12:11 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

The SJ 6 (Shi Jian 6) series consisted of pairs of technology satellites, which were reported to be used to probe the space environment, radiation and its effects, record space physical environment parameters, and conduct other related space experiments.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Gaofen-11-03

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Nov. 20, 2021, 1:51 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Gaofen is a series of civilian Earth observation satellites developed and launched for the China High-definition Earth Observation System (CHEOS), a state-sponsored programme aimed to develop a near-real time, all-weather, global surveillance network consisting of satellite, near-space (stratosphere) airships, and aerial observation platforms.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Tianhui-2-02

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Aug. 18, 2021, 10:32 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

TH 2 (Tianhui-2 = "Sky drawing") is a pair of Chinese cartography and Earth observation satellites.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Haiyang 2D

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
May 19, 2021, 4:03 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Haiyang (Chinese: "Ocean"), abbreviated HY, is a marine remote sensing satellite series planned by China.

Low Earth Orbit
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Long March 4B | Shiyan-6-03

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
April 8, 2021, 11:01 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Huanjing 2A, 2B

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Sept. 27, 2020, 3:23 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Huanjing (abbreviated as HJ) is a constellation of environmental monitoring satellites. The HJ-2A and HJ-2B are 16-meter optical satellites which will provide 16-meter multispectral, 48-meter hyperspectral and infrared image data.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Haiyang 2C

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Sept. 21, 2020, 5:40 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Haiyang (Chinese: "Ocean"), abbreviated HY, is a marine remote sensing satellite series planned by China.

Low Earth Orbit
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Long March 4B | Gaofen-11-02

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Sept. 7, 2020, 5:57 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Gaofen is a series of civilian Earth observation satellites developed and launched for the China High-definition Earth Observation System (CHEOS), a state-sponsored programme aimed to develop a near-real time, all-weather, global surveillance network consisting of satellite, near-space (stratosphere) airships, and aerial observation platforms.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Ziyuan-3-03

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
July 25, 2020, 3:13 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Ziyuan is a series of remote sensing satellites in Sun-synchronous orbit around Earth. Ziyuan 3-02 is a Chinese Earth observation satellite, a high-resolution imaging satellite operated by the Ministry of Land and Resources of the People's Republic of China.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Gaofen Multimode

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
July 3, 2020, 3:10 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Gaofen is a series of civilian Earth observation satellites developed and launched for the China High-definition Earth Observation System (CHEOS), a state-sponsored programme aimed to develop a near-real time, all-weather, global surveillance network consisting of satellite, near-space (stratosphere) airships, and aerial observation platforms.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | CBERS-4A

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Dec. 20, 2019, 3:22 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

On April 24, 2015, China and Brazil have signed the agreement for the construction of CBERS-4A. It's a third satellite in the continuity to the CBERS program, and a sixth CBERS satellite to be constructed. The CBERS satellites enhance and complement the existing remote sensing systems in an effort to improve our knowledge about the Earth environment and resources.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Gaofen-7 & others

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Nov. 3, 2019, 3:22 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Gaofen is a series of civilian Earth observation satellites developed and launched for the China High-definition Earth Observation System (CHEOS), a state-sponsored programme aimed to develop a near-real time, all-weather, global surveillance network consisting of satellite, near-space (stratosphere) airships, and aerial observation platforms.


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Long March 4B | Ziyuan-2D, Tianyi MV-1, BNU-1

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Sept. 12, 2019, 3:26 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Tianhui-2-01

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
April 29, 2019, 10:52 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

At 22:52 UTC on April 29, 2019, China used a Long March 4B rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center to successfully launch two Tianhui-2-01 satellites. The satellites will be used for scientific experiments, land resource survey, geographic survey and mapping.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Haiyang 2B

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Oct. 24, 2018, 10:57 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Haiyang is a series of Chinese marine remote sensing satellites. Haiyang 2B is a follow up to Haiyang 2A satellite. It is intended for monitoring the dynamic ocean environnement with microwave sensors to detect sea surface wind field, sea surface height and sea surface temperature.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Gaofen-11

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
July 31, 2018, 3 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

The Gaofen-11 satellite is believed to be a Earth-imaging satellite that Chinese state media claims, "can be used for land survey, urban planning, road network design, agriculture, and disaster relief".

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Huiyan (HXMT (Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope))

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
June 15, 2017, 3 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT) is a Chinese X-ray space observatory. This will be China's first astronomy satellite, and it is tasked with observation of black holes, neutron stars and other phenomena based on their X-ray and gamma ray emissions.

Low Earth Orbit
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Long March 4B | Shijian 16-02

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
June 29, 2016, 3:21 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Ziyuan 3-02 & ÑuSat-1 & -2 (Fresco and Batata)

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
May 30, 2016, 3:17 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Ziyuan is a series of remote sensing satellites in Sun-synchronous orbit around Earth. Ziyuan 3-02 is a Chinese Earth observation satellite, a high-resolution imaging satellite operated by the Ministry of Land and Resources of the People's Republic of China.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Yaogan-28

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Nov. 8, 2015, 7:06 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Gaofen 8

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
June 26, 2015, 6:22 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Yaogan-26

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Dec. 27, 2014, 3:22 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | CBERS-4

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Dec. 7, 2014, 3:26 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Yaogan 21 & Tiantuo 2

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Sept. 8, 2014, 3:22 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Gaofen 2 & Heweliusz

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Aug. 19, 2014, 3:15 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | CBERS-3

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Dec. 9, 2013, 3:26 a.m.
Status: Launch Failure
Mission:

This remote sensing satellite was intended for China-Brazil program on Environment, Agriculture, and Urban Planning.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Shijian 16

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Oct. 25, 2013, 3:50 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Yaogan 14 & Tiantuo 1

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
May 10, 2012, 7:06 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Ziyuan 3 & VesselSat-2

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Jan. 9, 2012, 3:17 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Zi Yuan 1-02C

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Dec. 22, 2011, 3:26 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Yaogan 12 & Tianxun-1

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Nov. 9, 2011, 3:21 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Yaogan 12 is a Chinese Earth observation satellite, likely also used for military reconnaissance. Tianxun-1 is a Chinese microsatellite built by the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Earth observation with maximum resolution of 30 metres.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Hai Yang 2A

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Aug. 15, 2011, 10:57 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Shijian 6G & Shijian 6H

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Oct. 6, 2010, 12:49 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Long March 4B | Yaogan Weixing 5

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Dec. 15, 2008, 3:22 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Chinese Earth observation satellite, likely also used for military reconnaissance

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Shi Jian 6E & 6F

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Oct. 25, 2008, 1:15 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

It was announced that the two satellites had a design life of at least two years, and would be used to probe the space environment, radiation and its effects, record space physical environment parameters, and conduct other related space experiments.

Low Earth Orbit
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Long March 4B | Zi Yuan 1-2B

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Sept. 19, 2007, 3:26 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Chinese-Brazilian Earth observation satellite

Low Earth Orbit
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Long March 4B | Shi Jian 6C & 6D

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Oct. 23, 2006, 11:34 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

It was announced that the two satellites had a design life of at least two years, and would be used to probe the space environment, radiation and its effects, record space physical environment parameters, and conduct other related space experiments.

Low Earth Orbit
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Long March 4B | Zi Yuan 2-3

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Nov. 6, 2004, 3:10 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Zi Yuan 2-3 was a low earth orbit digital imaging spacecraft used by the Chinese government, probably for both civilian and military reconnaissance purposes..

Low Earth Orbit
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Long March 4B | Shi Jian 6A & 6B

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Sept. 8, 2004, 11:14 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

It was announced that the two satellites had a design life of at least two years, and would be used to probe the space environment, radiation and its effects, record space physical environment parameters, and conduct other related space experiments.

Low Earth Orbit
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Long March 4B | Zi Yuan 1-2

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Oct. 21, 2003, 3:16 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

The satellite is China's first operational civilian remote-sensing satellite, specifically designed for the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR).

Low Earth Orbit
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Long March 4B | Zi Yuan-2 02 xing

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Oct. 27, 2002, 3:17 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

JB-3 2 was nominally a Chinese (PRC) remote sensing satellite, although US intelligence sources indicated it had primarily an intelligence imaging mission. JB-3 2 was the name adopted by the USSPACECOM. Most news reports from China and elsewhere use different names: ZY-2B (acronym for ZiYuan-2B, translated as Resource-2B), and Zhong Guo Zi Yuan Er Hao, translated as China Resource 2. No information was available on the instruments onboard the JB-3 2, but officially it was intended 'for territorial survey, environment monitoring and protection, urban planning, crop yield assessment, disaster monitoring, and space scientific experiments'.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Hai Yang 1 & Feng Yun 1D

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
May 15, 2002, 1:50 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

HaiYang abbreviated HY, is a series of marine remote sensing satellites developed and operated by China since 2002. As of June 2020, six satellites were launched and two more are planned. Feng Yun 1D was a polar orbiting meteorological satellite.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit
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Long March 4B | Zi Yuan-2 01 xing

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Sept. 1, 2000, 3:25 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

ZY-2 (Ziyuan-2, 'Resource-2'), while reported as a civilian Earth observation system, was actually code-named JB-3 (Jianbing-3) and was China's first high-resolution military imaging satellite. They are reportedly used for area surveillance.

Polar Orbit
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Long March 4B | Zi Yuan 1-1

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Oct. 14, 1999, 3:15 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

The CBERS (China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite) or ZY 1 (Zi Yuan) satellites are designed for global coverage and include cameras to make optical observations and a data collecting system to gather data on the environment. They are unique systems due to the use of on-board sensors which combine features that are especially designed to resolve the broad range of space and time scales involved in the monitoring and preservation of the ecosystem. They are operated jointly by the China Centre for Resources Satellite Data and Application (CRESDA) and the Brazilian INPE (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais, National Institute of Space Research).

Low Earth Orbit
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Long March 4B | Feng Yun 1C

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
May 10, 1999, 1:33 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Chinese polar orbiting meteorological satellite

Polar Orbit
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Falcon 9
Success
1 day, 9 hours ago
Starlink Group 6-58
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral, FL, USA

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


Long March 4C
Success
2 days, 11 hours ago
Shiyan 23
Launch Area 4 (SLS-2 / 603) - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Satellite officially named for "space environment detection" purposes, exact details unknown.


Falcon 9
Success
4 days, 6 hours ago
Starlink Group 8-2
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.


Long March 3
Success
5 days, 9 hours ago
ZHTW 1-01
Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) - Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Zhihui Tianwang 1-01 are 2 experimental Medium Earth Orbit communication satellites in a collaboration between Tsinghua University, SAST and the Shan…


Falcon 9
Success
5 days, 16 hours ago
Starlink Group 6-56
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.