Long March 5 deploys Communication Technology Demonstrator 11 satellite
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Feb 26, 2024
China’s latest space mission has successfully placed an experimental telecommunications satellite into orbit, utilizing the Long March 5 carrier rocket. This initiative, orchestrated by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), marks a significant step in China’s efforts to develop high-speed, multi-band communication technologies.
The launch occurred on Friday evening from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province, with the Long March 5 rocket lifting off at 7:30 pm. This operation efficiently positioned the Communication Technology Demonstrator 11 satellite into its intended orbit. The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a subsidiary of CASC, built the satellite to test advanced space-based communication technologies.
This event was China’s ninth rocket launch of the year and the 509th flight for the Long March rocket series, highlighting the central role these rockets play in China’s space exploration and satellite deployment strategy.
Lou Luliang, deputy chief designer of the Long March 5, outlined the rocket model’s future launches for the year. Among these is the mission to deploy the Chang’e 6 robotic probe to the moon’s far side to return lunar samples to Earth, underscoring China’s ongoing commitment to lunar exploration.
The Long March 5, with a liftoff weight of 877 tons and fueled by over 750 metric tons of propellants, stands out for its payload capacity. It can carry up to 25 tons to low-Earth orbit, more than any other Chinese rocket. This capability is critical for China’s ambitious space missions, including lunar sample returns and Mars exploration.
The successful deployment of the Communication Technology Demonstrator 11 satellite illustrates China’s progress in space technology and its contribution to global communication technology efforts. As global connectivity becomes increasingly important, advancements in space-based communication networks are crucial for shaping future global communication, navigation, and security systems.
Related Links
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
The Chinese Space Program – News, Policy and Technology
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