Xi'an helps power up Chinese rocket launches
China launched a Long March 4C rocket at 7.44 am on Feb 27 – placing the 3.2 metric ton Land Surveyor 1-01B satellite in a quasi-synchronous orbit – at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwestern China's Gobi Desert.
In addition, at 11.06 am on the same day – at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Southern China's Hainan province – a modified version of China's Long March 8 carrier rocket transported 22 satellites into orbit, setting a record for the most satellites launched by a single Chinese rocket.
China launches a Long March 4C rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwestern China's Gobi Desert, to deploy an Earth-observation radar satellite on Feb 27. [Photo by Zhuang Jiajing/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Based in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology – a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation – provided the first, second and third-stage engines and attitude control engine system for the Long March 4C rocket.
The academy in Xi'an also contributed the space propulsion subsystem for the Land Surveyor 1-01B satellite.
In addition, the academy provided the booster, first and second-stage engines and auxiliary power system for the Long March 8 carrier rocket.
The preparations for the two missions ran throughout the Spring Festival holiday. The Xi'an Satellite Control Center was said to have overcome a series of difficulties and challenges, including complex technical conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Xi'an Satellite Control Center, also during the launch mission, appointed young technicians after they completed a number of tests.
In 2022, China's program of space launches is not expected to let up, with it becoming the norm to prepare missions at the same time.
The head of the Xi'an Satellite Control Center said in the current year it would focus on scientific and technological innovation, personnel training and quality improvements – paving the way for more space launches.
