Launches / Long March 2D/YZ-3

Past launch Launched successfully

High Speed Laser Diamond Constellation Test System

Long March 2D/YZ-3, flown by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Long March 2D/YZ-3 lifting off with the High Speed Laser Diamond Constellation Test System mission
Image via The Space Devs.

This was China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's 46th launch of 2024, and its 498th in all.

Counting every operator, it was the 242nd orbital launch attempt anywhere in 2024, and the eighth from Launch Area 94 (SLS-2 / 603).

Launched
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, 7:17 a.m. UTC
Window
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, 7:08 to 9:57 a.m. UTC
Launch site
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China
Rocket
Long March 2D/YZ-3
Operator
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

The mission

5 prototype satellites for Low Earth Orbit communications satellite constellation testing, in 3 different orbits.

Type
Communications
Destination
Low Earth orbit

The rocket

The Long March 2D, also known as the Chang Zheng 2D, CZ-2D and LM-2D, is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. It is a 2-stage carrier rocket mainly used for launching LEO and SSO satellites. The YZ-3 variant includes a YZ-3 upper stage able to push satellites into higher orbits.

Built by
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
First flew
December 29, 2018

4 flights, 4 of them successful.

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 →

Catch the next one instead

This one is done, but there is another along shortly. Flyby works out whether it climbs into your sky, and wakes you in time to get outside.

Get Flyby free