China launches first Long March 8
Posted: Sat, Jan 2, 2021, 12:20 PM ET (1720 GMT)
China successfully launched its first Long March 8 rocket Dec. 21. The medium-lift rocket launched from the Wenchang spaceport on the island of Hainan at 11:37 pm EST (0437 GMT Dec. 22). It placed into sun-synchronous orbit the XJY-7 classified remote sensing technology demonstrator satellite and four smaller satellites, including the first commercial synthetic aperture radar imaging satellite for Chinese company Spacety. The Long March 8 is designed to fill a gap in launch capabilities for medium-class spacecraft and is part of a broader family of new launch vehicles intended to ultimately replace the Long March 2, 3 and 4 vehicles. The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which developed the Long March 8, eventually wants to recover and reuse the first stage.
China successfully launched its first Long March 8 rocket Dec. 21. The medium-lift rocket launched from the Wenchang spaceport on the island of Hainan at 11:37 pm EST (0437 GMT Dec. 22). It placed into sun-synchronous orbit the XJY-7 classified remote sensing technology demonstrator satellite and four smaller satellites, including the first commercial synthetic aperture radar imaging satellite for Chinese company Spacety. The Long March 8 is designed to fill a gap in launch capabilities for medium-class spacecraft and is part of a broader family of new launch vehicles intended to ultimately replace the Long March 2, 3 and 4 vehicles. The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which developed the Long March 8, eventually wants to recover and reuse the first stage.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
FAA restricts hours for commercial launches during shutdown
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 9:05 AM ET (1405 GMT) China postpones Shenzhou-20 return on orbital debris concerns
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 8:58 AM ET (1358 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, November 10
Landmark Mars mission and first big test for Jeff Bezos’ New Glenn rocket is delayed by weather
CNN — 7:01 am ET (1201 GMT) Blue Origin scrubs second New Glenn launch, will try again November 12
TechCrunch — 6:59 am ET (1159 GMT) Blue Origin scrubs second New Glenn rocket launch due to weather
WESH-TV Orlando — 6:58 am ET (1158 GMT) What’s the latest on NordSpace’s plans to launch a rocket from NL?
SaltWire — 6:53 am ET (1153 GMT) ISRO to transfer 50% of PSLV technology to private firms: Why this matters
The Week (India) — 6:52 am ET (1152 GMT) |
