A Long March 2C rocket launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Gobi Desert late Friday, carrying four satellites to provide commercial X-band radar imaging. The rocket lifted off at 10:39 p.m. Eastern on November 8 (0339 UTC, November 9), with insulation tiles visibly peeling off as it soared into the clear skies.
A Long March 2C rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 11:39 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Nov. 9, sending four satellites of #PIESAT-2 into orbit. The new group of remote-sensing satellites will mainly provide commercial remote-sensing data services. Credit: Wang Jiangbo
radar (SAR) imaging. These satellites will support domestic monitoring as well as global coverage under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The U.S. Space Force cataloged the satellites in sun-synchronous orbits at approximately 515 by 535 kilometers.
The PIESAT-2 satellites are owned by Zhuzhou Space Interstellar Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. and were developed by Shanghai Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd., which is affiliated with the state-owned Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). Zhuzhou Space Interstellar Satellite Technology aims to establish a 16-satellite radar constellation by March 2025, with two additional launches planned to complete the network. This follows the launch of four PIESAT-1 satellites in March 2023, arranged in a wheel-like formation in orbit.
China has seen a surge in commercial radar constellations, with various private and state-linked companies collaborating to expand synthetic aperture radar services. SAR technology enables all-weather, high-resolution imaging, which is valuable for applications such as environmental monitoring and infrastructure assessments.
Friday’s launch was the 53rd of the year for China, conducted by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and facilitated by its commercial subsidiary, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), which manages international space cooperation and commercial launches.
While China originally projected around 100 launches in 2024, both CASC and other commercial entities appear to be behind pace. However, more launches are imminent, including a Tianzhou cargo resupply mission to the Tiangong space station aboard a Long March 7 rocket and CAS Space’s Lijian-1 (Kinetica-1) launch from Jiuquan.
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