China launches a new experimental plate-shaped satellite to orbit
%2Favatars%2F6UKotck4r9pz.jpg&w=96&q=75)
%2F2023%2F06%2F14%2Fimage%2Fjpeg%2FpG0YH1lCPKvzhP3lLqwQDLx6eNsERaSsqSySXgC9.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
China launched its first plate-shaped satellite into orbit last Friday, June 9.
The experimental communications satellite, Longjiang 3, was launched aboard a Kuaizhou 1A solid-propellant carrier rocket at 10:35 am local time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China's northwestern desert, an update from the rocket's developer, China Aerospace Science, and Industry Corp. reveals.
Researchers at the Harbin Institute of Technology in Heilongjiang Province developed Longijang 3. It was designed to test high-speed communications capabilities using an experimental plate shape.
Kuaizhou 1A rocket launches experimental satellite
The new mission was the 20th time China's Kuaizhou 1A rocket model took to the skies and the second time in 2023. The 20-meter Kuaizhou 1A is manufactured by CASIC subsidiary China Space Sanjiang Group in Hubei province. It is capable of lifting roughly 200 kilograms of payload to a sun-synchronous orbit, or 300 kg to low Earth orbit.
The Kuaizhou 1A model arguably isn't as well known on the global stage as China's Long March rockets — one model of which is responsible for China's recent uncontrolled rocket reentries — it is actually the country's most used rocket model alongside a larger version of the same rocket called Kuaizhou 11.
The Longijang 3 satellite reportedly features new satellite technologies that enable high-speed communication between low-orbit satellites and ground control. The satellite's operators will conduct a trial run to help them determine the best design for mass production of the new satellite.
According to a ChinaDaily article, GalaxySpace, a Beijing-based private satellite company, has also announced it will soon launch its own network of plate-shaped satellites at some point in the next few months.
One of GalaxySpace's designers, Yang Qiaolong, told ChinaDaily that some of the benefits of the plate-shaped design include allowing many satellites to be fitted into a single rocket and enabling efficient and fast deployment.
China's answer to Starlink
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) also recently announced that it will launch a new mega-constellation of internet satellites to compete with SpaceX's Starlink. To do so, it will expand its ability to produce the new Long March 8 launch system with a facility capable of producing 50 of rockets per year.
China's constellation, referred to as "Guowang", or the national network, will be made up of roughly 13,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. It's part of China's ambitious long-term plan to become the world's leading space power ahead of the US and China. The country's space administration also plans to send humans to the Moon by around 2030 and eventually to Mars.
SHOW COMMENT (1)
/2023/07/21/image/jpeg/pwUEpl3SEm3I6iWC1XTLeopv0EMwhfrJ684imYyT.jpg "Are wines losing the battle against climate change?")
/2023/09/21/image/jpeg/9yGfJEn6GlSnUjzawTrh9z6QZMlkjMyvjLQFY9Yc.jpg "Parker Solar Probe safely traverses CME event, touches Sun")
/2023/08/17/image/jpeg/wkfQOEAHMgv7YekMUPWWlPJGY7Fn1Pa2blepLs4m.jpg "Too hot to fly? The effects of heatwaves on air travel")
/2023/09/21/image/jpeg/J311aOAku7MVx6I8d5F7GWxicqQaf2PHVMHzO5Va.jpg "This implant could free diabetics from insulin injections one day")
/2023/09/04/image/jpeg/crP5g4SmwhoGFiXWL8CXe4FGQ2U9ee2fIMXCpg8d.jpg "The real impact of blue light on eye health and sleep")
/2023/09/21/image/jpeg/noLW9uHoT66M08SaYrnHQczrj6gY0pqbhYQgBwUl.jpg "This lithium-free e-bike from Pi-Pop needs no batteries")
/2023/07/26/image/jpeg/9Dkowuh7yI1YIB0hFtRiZ5DWxel88daCnm1Eld3Y.jpg "Can AI accurately identify patients with respiratory symptoms?")
/2023/09/12/image/jpeg/7ZU03vLOnlFnHbET1pxVv2vlF9S2R5ZekupSiNl0.jpg "From lost wings to ruptured fuselages, 7 times planes refused to die")
/2023/09/21/image/jpeg/CBVh8844CyZW0BUmphFlksoDPFxyFFKSmNCRoJFa.jpg "Motagua River: The most trashed river on earth")
/2023/09/21/image/jpeg/7Xe6g6S1Gw1S2LakvcR1Zc06ZqTnMdJZlaB4na0n.jpg "A rare canine disease is spreading to humans in the UK")