Demo Flight (Pujiang-2 & Tiankun-2)

Mission

Demo Flight (Pujiang-2 & Tiankun-2)

• Type: Test Flight
• Orbit: Sun-Synchronous Orbit

First launch of the Long March 6A rocket.

Pujiang 2 is a Chinese technology demonstration satellite.

Tiankun-2 is a satellite developed by CASIC, which is a technology demonstration mission to test out their new small satellite bus.

Location

Launch Complex 9A

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Launch Complex 9A has witnessed the launch of 13 rockets, including 13 orbital launch attempts. While Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China, has been the site for 141 rocket launches.

The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center is a People's Republic of China space and defense launch facility. It is situated in Kelan County, Xinzhou, Shanxi Province and is the second of four launch sites having been founded in March 1966 and coming into full operation in 1968.

Rocket

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 6A

The Long March 6A is a Chinese launch vehicle of the Long March family, which was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). The vehicle is a further development of the Long March 6, with 2 YF-100 engines on the first stage as opposed to 1 on the Long March 6, augmented by 4 solid rocket boosters. The Long March 6A is China's first rocket with solid rocket boosters. The maiden launch of the Long March 6A took place 29 March 2022, successfully reaching orbit. It was also the first launch from the newly built launch complex 9A in Taiyuan.

Learn more about the Long March 6A

Agency

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.