China expands low-orbit satellite constellation with Yaogan 43C launch

On October 23 morning, China successfully launched a Long March 2C carrier rocket, placing a group of remote-sensing satellites into orbit, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). 

The rocket lifted off at 9:09 am from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province, deploying the Yaogan 43C satellites into their designated orbit, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The Yaogan 43C satellites, the third batch in the Yaogan 43 series, were developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, and the Second Academy of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation. These satellites are part of China’s growing fleet of remote-sensing spacecraft, designed to detect and monitor physical characteristics of objects on land and sea.

The earlier Yaogan 43A satellites were launched in August, followed by the Yaogan 43B satellites in September. Data from the Yaogan series is widely used across government agencies, public services, and businesses.

The Long March 2C rocket, produced by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, stands 43 meters tall with a width of 3.35 meters, and has a liftoff weight of 242.5 metric tons. It is designed to deploy satellites to low-Earth and sun-synchronous orbits.

This mission marks China's 51st space launch in 2024 and the 542nd flight of the Long March rocket family, cementing the nation's leadership in space exploration.

By Khagan Isayev