More Yaogan? [Long March 2D Y103]

This post was originally published on April 21st 2024.

It's been a little over two weeks since a Long March 2D took off carrying a Yaogan satellite, the last being on the 3rd of April. This launch today was carrying the Yaogan-42B satellite into low Earth from Launch Complex 3 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Orbital Cop, Jonathan McDowell, managed to track the satellite in 491 by 502 kilometer orbit on a 35.0 degree orbit. The Yaogan-42B satellite is almost an entire half-orbit behind Yaogan-42A, possibly implying a future 42C satellite. 

This was believed to be the 89th launch of the Long March 2D, and the 517th launch of the Long March series of launch vehicles overall. Launch of the Long March 2D Y103 vehicle was at 07:45 am China Standard Time on the 21st. This was also China's 17th Long March launch of the year.

The Long March 2D Y103 lifting off from Xichang  Satellite Launch Center with Yaogan-42B.

Yaogan-42B is yet another remote-sensing satellite intended to help with land surveying, disaster prevention, and monitoring of the Earth below.

The launch mission patch of the Long March 2D Y103.

The launch mission patch, attached above, has also continued the trend of avian mission patches. There's not much more I can say other than the Long March 2D performed as expected and the satellite is being commissioned in its desired orbit.

The fairing of the Long March 2D Y103 vehicle being transported to the launch pad with the Yaogan-42B inside.

The Long March 2D Y103 vehicle on the launch pad ahead of launch.

The Long March 2D Y103 lifting off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology also shared two images of the launch teams after the successful launch.

Part of SAST's team at the launch control building of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Part of SAST's team near overlooking both Launch Complex 2 & 3 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.