Technology
China launches commercial carrier rocket Lijian-1 Y3
By - 24 Jan 2024 05:52 PM
Five satellites were placed into predetermined orbit by China's commercial carrier rocket Lijian-1 Y3, which was launched on Tuesday at 12:03 p.m. from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
Taijing-1 03, Taijing-2 02 and 04, Taijing-3 02, and Taijing-4 03 were the five satellites, which were primarily used for environmental surveys, space probes, and scientific research.
The launch set new records in China's multiple satellite platforms and payload technologies.The rocket was painted with the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism's logo, which depicts the traditional Chinese Loong (Dragon), in honor of the new Chinese year.
The mission was carried out in extremely cold temperatures—down to minus 20 degrees Celsius—which further confirmed its adaptability to different conditions.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Institute of Mechanics in collaboration with CAS Space created the Lijian-1. Its dimensions for the 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit are as follows: total length of 30 meters, diameter of the core stage 2.65 meters, takeoff weight of 135 tons, takeoff thrust of 200 tons, and carrying capacity of 1,500 kg.The solid-propellant carrier rocket was first launched in July 2022, and has already sent 37 satellites into space. Its launch success rate is 100 percent.
The mission was the third launch of the Lijian-1 carrier rocket.
