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Launch SuccessfulChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Long March 2C/SM: Tan Ce 1

The Double Star spacecraft, called also Tan Ce (TC) which in Chinese means ‘Probe‘, is a joint Chinese and ESA mission to study the effect of the Sun on the Earth's environment. The polar spacecraft (TC-2) will monitor the energy input from the solar wind into the polar ionosphere. The equatorial spacecraft (TC-1) will investigate the so-called substorm process, when it is in the Earth's magnetotail, and the entry of solar particle on the front side of the magnetosphere.

Monday, 29 December 2003
Long March 2C/SM: Tan Ce 1

Mission Data

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
🇨🇳China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationEst. 1999
Launch VehicleLong March 2C/SM
Vehicle FamilyLong March
Vehicle Record2 of 2 launches (100%)
Provider TypeGovernment
Agency Record606 successes / 16 failures (97%)
Success Streak13 consecutive
Mission TypeEarth Science
Target OrbitElliptical Orbit
Launch PadLaunch Complex 3 (LC-3/LA-1)
Location🇨🇳 Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China CHN
Orbital Launches This Year#63
Agency Launches This Year#7
Launches From This Pad109
Launches From This Site243
Status Note

The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).

About Long March 2C/SM

The Long March 2C is a family of expendable launch vehicles made and operated by China. It is a two stage launch vehicle with storable propellants, consisting of Nitrogen Tetroxide and Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine.

Launch Site

Launch Complex 3 (LC-3/LA-1) · 28.2471°N 102.0290°E

Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.