CASC Long March 8 Queqiao-2
Long March 8
Status
Success
Date
20 MAR 2024
00:31
Launch Provider
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Launch Pad
201
Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
Mission Overview
Queqiao-2 is a Chinese artificial satellite to serve as a communications relay for future Chinese lunar far side missions that cannot communicate directly with the Earth, beginning with the Chang'e 6 lunar sample return mission in 2024. It will operate from a Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) of the Moon. The launch also carries the Tiandu-1 & 2 small satellites testing cis-lunar space navigation and inter-satellite communication techniques for CNSA’s Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL).
Rocket
Long March 8
Mission Type
Planetary Science
Orbit
Lunar Orbit
Stages
2
Livestream
Rocket Details
Long March 8 (Chinese: 长征八号运载火箭) is an orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology to launch up to 5000 kg to a 700 km altitude Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The rocket is based on the Long March 7 with its first stage and 2 out of its 4 boosters, along with the existing liquid hydrogen burning 3rd stage of the Long March 3A/3B/3C and 7A as its 2nd stage. A "Core Only" version omitting the boosters is also available.
Height
50.34 m
Diameter
3.35 m
Launch Mass
356 T
Thrust
4,800 kN