China Expands Remote-Sensing Fleet Through Yaogan 42A Launch

Simon Mansfield

Australia’s Sydney (SPX) April 4, 2024 China’s space industry celebrated the successful launch of the Yaogan 42A satellite on a Long March 2D rocket, marking a new milestone in the country’s earth observation endeavors. This addition highlights China’s commitment to improving its remote-sensing capabilities. It was launched at 6:56 am local time from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province.

Joining an ever-expanding constellation, the Yaogan 42A satellite is intended to monitor Earth by gathering information from radiation, both emitted and reflected, in order to conduct thorough environmental assessments. The satellite is essential to many different observational activities, as demonstrated by the recent launch, which was made possible by the liquid-fueled Long March 2D rocket, which can lift 1.3-ton payloads to about 700 kilometers above Earth.

The satellite and its carrier rocket represent the most recent advancements in Chinese space technology and were created by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a division of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). In addition to enhancing China’s space capabilities, this launch represents the country’s 15th space mission of 2024 and a critical turning point in the Long March rocket series’ history as it logs its 515th flight.

China is a major player in satellite technology and Earth observation worldwide, and the successful launch of Yaogan 42A into its planned orbit highlights the country’s increasing space capabilities.

On April 3, 2024, the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the Sichuan province of Southwest China will launch a Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Yaogan 42 01 satellite. The Yaogan 42 01 satellite was launched into a predetermined orbit by the rocket, which took off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 6:56 a.m. Beijing Time.