2024-05-10 22:00:51
The People’s Republic of China successfully launched the new Smart SkyNet 1-01 satellite into orbit. This was reported by China Central Television, Day.Az reports with reference to TASS.
According to him, the launch of the device was carried out at 09:43 Beijing time (04:43 Moscow time) from the Xichang Cosmodrome (Southwest China) using a CZ-3B rocket (Long March 3-bi). This was the 521st launch for the Long March type carrier.
Smart SkyNet 1-01 was created by Tsinghua University in collaboration with the Shanghai Academy of Space Technology to test developments in the field of communications, which, in particular, will be used by Chinese bases in Antarctica. This is the first Chinese satellite launched into medium-Earth orbit.
CZ-3B (model CZ-3B/E was used at launch) is a three-stage rocket with a fairing diameter of 4.2 m. It reaches 56.3 m in length and is capable of delivering up to 12 tons of payload into low Earth orbit (to geostationary transfer orbit – 5.5 tons).
Beijing is actively developing its national space program, developing meteorological, telecommunications and navigation satellites and technologies designed for lunar exploration. With government support, Chinese specialists are implementing research projects on asteroids and Mars. There is a Chinese space station in orbit, which is ready for international cooperation. In 2023, China carried out 67 launches, and in 2024 their number is planned to increase to approximately 100.