Launches / Long March 4B

Past launch Launched successfully

Haiyang 2E

Long March 4B, flown by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Long March 4B lifting off with the Haiyang 2E mission
Image via The Space Devs.

This was China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's 31st launch of 2026, and its 601st in all.

Counting every operator, it was the 155th orbital launch attempt anywhere in 2026, and the fifth from Launch Area 94 (SLS-2 / 603).

Launched
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 11:46 p.m. UTC
Window
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 11:38 p.m. to Thursday, July 2, 2026, 12:07 a.m. UTC
Launch site
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China
Rocket
Long March 4B
Operator
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

The mission

Haiyang 2E (Chinese: "Ocean"), abbreviated HY-2E, is a marine remote sensing satellite of China. The HY-2 series' primary objective is to measure ocean dynamic and regional environmental trends in the microwave spectral range, plus measurements of parameters such as marine wind vector, marine surface heat and Sea Surface Temperature (SST). These ocean dynamics real-time data aid aero-marine forecasts for the prevention of, and relief in the event of, natural disasters. Instruments carried include: * Microwave Radiometer Imager (MWRI) * Radar Altimeter (RA) * Ku-band Rotational Fan-beam Scatterometer (SCAT)

Type
Earth science
Destination
Sun-synchronous orbit

The rocket

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.

Height
44.1 m
Built by
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
First flew
May 10, 1999
Lifts to low Earth orbit
4,200 kg
View 5 specifications Show less
Lifts to geostationary transfer
1,500 kg
Diameter
3.4 m
Mass at liftoff
249 t
Thrust at liftoff
2,961 kN
Stages
3

57 flights, 56 of them successful.

Wikipedia →

The operator

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

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.

Sector
Government
Based in
China
Founded
1999
Run by
Lei Fanpei, Chairman & President

612 launches so far, 596 of them successful. The last 3 in a row went to plan.

english.spacechina.com → Wikipedia →

The launch site

It went up from Launch Area 94 (SLS-2 / 603) at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China.

See the pad on a map →

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