China- People’s Republic of China- CNSA –China National Space Administration Successfully launched Chang Zheng – Long March 2D Carrier Rocket ignited and took off at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center Shanxi Province.. at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China Successfully Launches Zhuzhou Space PIESAT-2 13-16 Satellites] At 18:50 Beijing time on September 19, 2026, China successfully launched the Zhuzhou Space PIESAT-2 13-16 satellites into their predetermined orbit using a Long March-2D carrier rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The launch mission was a complete success.
Latest Update : At 18:50 on September 19, 2026, a Long March 2D rocket successfully launched four satellites (PIESAT-2 13-16) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, sending them into their predetermined orbits. This marked the 668th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets. This mission utilized a 3.8-meter composite material satellite fairing. This configuration, made of fully transparent material, can adapt to satellite measurement requirements and provide a larger envelope space. Previously, in a mission on March 26, 2026, the rocket also debuted upgraded technologies such as a 4.2-meter diameter composite material fairing and a wireless temperature measurement system for the propellant tank outer wall.
Technical Features : Although the Long March 2D rocket has been in service for over 30 years, it continues to undergo iterative upgrades, constantly tackling key challenges in multi-satellite deployment and separation technologies. It has evolved from single-satellite launches to various configurations such as tandem, parallel, and stacked launches, flexibly meeting the complex needs of commercial satellites. The launch and test cycle has been shortened to 11 working days, and the official reliability index reaches 0.97, ranking among the top levels in the global aerospace field. This rocket has also undertaken several key missions, including the Xihe solar probe satellite and the Tianhui-1 stereo mapping satellite.
This mission marked the 668th flight of the Long March series carrier rockets. This was also the 5th successful launch this week …
The Long March 2D (CZ-2D) is a two-stage, room-temperature liquid propellant launch vehicle developed by the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It is known as the “Gold Medal Rocket”.
Core performance : The rocket has a payload capacity of 1.3 tons to a 700 km sun-synchronous orbit and 1.9 tons to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. It uses nitrogen tetroxide/unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine as a room-temperature propellant, featuring high reliability, cost-effectiveness, and strong adaptability. It is capable of launching single satellites, multiple satellites in parallel, tandem, or multiple satellites simultaneously.
A distinguished track record : Since its maiden flight in 1992, it has maintained a 100% launch success rate. In September 2025, it completed its 100th launch, becoming China’s second single-model launch vehicle to surpass 100 launches. As of September 19, 2026, it had completed its 106th launch, with all 106 launches being successful.
Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned Space CNSA-China National Space Administration
