China launches land exploration satellite

China on 23 December 2017 launched a land exploration satellite into a preset orbit for remote sensing operations.

The satellite launch was conducted from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert, northwest China's Gansu Province during early morning hours.

Key Objectives

The satellite will be mainly used for remote sensing exploration of land resources.

It was carried by a long march-2D rocket.

The launch was the 259th mission of the Long March rocket series.

Background

China had on 25 November successfully launched remote sensing satellites designed to conduct electromagnetic probes and other experiments.

The satellites were launched on a Long March-2C rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwestern Sichuan province.

Long March rocket series

• A Long March rocket is a rocket in a family of expendable launch systems operated by the People's Republic of China.

• The rockets are named after the Long March of Chinese communist history.

• The rockets have been designed and developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

• The new generation of Long March rocket family, Long March 5, and its derivations Long March 6, Long March 7 will use LOX and kerosene as core stage and liquid booster propellant, with LOX and LH2 in upper stages.