China launches Long March 2D carrier rocket

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – China on Thursday launched a Long March 2D carrier rocket to send a group of multirole satellites into orbit, state media reported.

The rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China and transported the second batch of Yunhai 2-series satellites into their present orbit, China Daily reported, citing a statement from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.

Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, the satellites are tasked with surveying atmospheric factors, monitoring the space environment, providing data to support disaster prevention and mitigation efforts, and carrying out scientific experiments, the agency said.

Long March 2D model, designed and built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology is capable of sending a 1.3-ton spacecraft to a typical sun-synchronous orbit with an altitude of 700 kilometers.

It was China's 13th rocket launch mission this year and the 513th flight of the Long March rocket family, the nation's main launch vehicle fleet.