Yaogan 50-02

The mission

The Yaogan 50-02 is a Chinese military “remote sensing” satellite of unknown purposes.

Type

Government/top secret

Destination

Low Earth orbit

The rocket

The Long March 6A is a Chinese launch vehicle of the Long March family, which was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). The vehicle is a further development of the Long March 6, with 2 YF-100 engines on the first stage as opposed to 1 on the Long March 6, augmented by 4 solid rocket boosters. The Long March 6A is China's first rocket with solid rocket boosters. The maiden launch of the Long March 6A took place 29 March 2022, successfully reaching orbit. It was also the first launch from the newly built launch complex 9A in Taiyuan.

Height

50 m

Built by

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

First flew

March 29, 2022

Diameter

3.4 m

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Mass at liftoff

530 t

Thrust at liftoff

7,230 kN

Stages

1 to 2

26 flights, 26 of them successful.

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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.

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The launch site

It went up from Launch Complex 9A at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China.

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