Maiden Flight
Smart Dragon 3
China Rocket Co. Ltd.
Mission
Maiden Flight
- Type: Test Flight
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
First flight of the new solid fuel powered rocket developed by CAST.
Payload consists of 14 satellites:
* Jilin-1 HR-03D 44-50
* Jilin-1 PT-01A 01
* Tianqi-7
* HEAD-2H
* CAS-5A
* Golden Bauhinia 1-05 & 06
* Huoju-1
Location
Yellow Sea (launch location 4)
Haiyang Oriental Spaceport
Yellow Sea (launch location 4) has witnessed the launch of 1 rockets, including 1 orbital launch attempts. While Haiyang Oriental Spaceport, has been the site for 23 rocket launches.
Chinese orbital launch vehicle launches supporting sea port located at Haiyang, Shandong Province, with dedicated piers and rocket/payload processing facilities for Chinese launch vehicles’ sea launches, and (as part of its expansion project) land based launch pads on artificial islands for various test vehicles and launch vehicles of private and government launch services providers.
In operation as a remote base of Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center since 2019.
Rocket
China Rocket Co. Ltd. Smart Dragon 3
Smart Dragon-3 is a solid fuel orbital rocket designed by a subsidiary of the state-owned CASC group built for the commercial market.
Agency
China Rocket Co. Ltd.
China Rocket Co. Ltd. is a spinoff of China’s state-owned launch vehicle manufacturer using a “commercial business model”.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Smart Dragon 3 launch scheduled?
The China Rocket Co. Ltd. Smart Dragon 3 launch carrying the Maiden Flight mission was scheduled for:
.
Where did the Smart Dragon 3 launch from?
The China Rocket Co. Ltd. Smart Dragon 3 rocket launched from Yellow Sea (launch location 4) at Haiyang Oriental Spaceport. Chinese orbital launch vehicle launches supporting sea port located at Haiyang, Shandong Province, with dedicated piers and rocket/payload processing facilities for Chinese launch vehicles’ sea launches, and (as part of its expansion project) land based launch pads on artificial islands for various test vehicles and launch vehicles of private and government launch services providers. <br> <br>In operation as a remote base of Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center since 2019.
What rocket was used for the Maiden Flight mission?
The Maiden Flight mission launched aboard a China Rocket Co. Ltd. Smart Dragon 3 rocket. Smart Dragon-3 is a solid fuel orbital rocket designed by a subsidiary of the state-owned CASC group built for the commercial market. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed this launch?
The Smart Dragon 3 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the launch is delayed?
This page is updated in real-time with the latest launch status, including any delays or scrubs. You can also check our space launch schedule for the most current information. Enable push notifications through our mobile app to receive instant alerts about launch status changes, weather holds, or new launch times. We recommend following official live streams for the most immediate range updates.
