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Launch SuccessfulChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Long March 5: Yaogan 41

Chinese reconnaissance satellite explicitly named in official news as a "high orbit optical remote sensing satellite". Satellite was found in standard geostationary transfer orbit after launch; other details TBD.

Friday, 15 December 202313:41 UTC
Long March 5: Yaogan 41

Mission Data

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
🇨🇳China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationEst. 1999
Launch VehicleLong March 5
Vehicle FamilyLong March
Vehicle Record9 of 9 launches (100%)
Provider TypeGovernment
Agency Record606 successes / 16 failures (97%)
Success Streak13 consecutive
Mission TypeGovernment/Top Secret
Target OrbitGeostationary Transfer Orbit
Launch Pad101
Location🇨🇳 Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China CHN
Orbital Launches This Year#206
Agency Launches This Year#44
Launches From This Pad18
Launches From This Site76
Status Note

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

About Long March 5

Long March 5 is a Chinese heavy lift launch system developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). CZ-5 is the first Chinese vehicle designed from the ground up to focus on non-hypergolic liquid rocket propellants. Currently, two CZ-5 vehicle configurations are planned, with maximum payload capacities of ~25,000 kilograms (55,000 lb) to LEO and ~14,000 kilograms (31,000 lb) to GTO. The Long March 5 roughly matches the capabilities of American EELV heavy-class vehicles such as the Delta IV Heavy.

Launch updates

  1. Launch success.

    Source ↗
  2. Liftoff confirmed.

  3. Refined launch window per new NOTAMs.

    Source ↗
  4. Added launch per NOTAMs; Payload identity extremely uncertain.

    Source ↗

Launch Site

101 · 19.6143°N 110.9510°E

Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.