
On the day of 12TH December 2024 Hours Hong- Kong SAR – Beijing time CNSA –China National Space Administration , China, People’s Republic of China At 1517 Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time , the Chang Zheng -Long March 2D Yao 60 / YZ 3 Yao 5 China successfully launched the high-speed laser diamond constellation test system at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center using the Long March 2D carrier rocket/Expedition 3 upper stage. The five satellites successfully entered the predetermined orbit and the launch mission was a complete success. This mission is the 551st flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets…..







[Long March 2D rocket/Expedition 3 upper stage successfully launches high-speed laser Diamond Constellation test system – China launches high-speed laser diamond constellation test system 】
At 15:17 on December 12, the Long March 2D carrier rocket/Expedition 3 upper stage lifted the high-speed laser Diamond Constellation test system and soared into the sky at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Subsequently, the upper stage sent the five satellites of the system into the predetermined orbit respectively, and the launch mission was a complete success. The Long March 2D rocket and the Expedition 3 upper stage were both developed by the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The Long March 2D rocket has the ability to launch single and multiple satellites with different orbit requirements at the three major satellite launch centers in Jiuquan, Taiyuan and Xichang, and its 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit carrying capacity is 1.3 tons. The Expedition 3 upper stage, known as the “space bus”, has the ability to autonomously deploy more than 20 times in rapid orbits, and is mainly used for multi-satellite deployment missions in different orbits.





This launch is the 551st launch of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
The Long March 2D carrier rocket is a room-temperature liquid two-stage carrier rocket with a takeoff thrust of about 300 tons, corresponding to a capacity of 1.3 tons for a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous circular orbit. It has the ability to launch single and multiple satellites in accordance with different orbital requirements at the three major satellite launch centers in Jiuquan, Taiyuan, and Xichang. The Expedition 3 upper stage is a new type of space transportation tool that uses nitrogen tetroxide and methylhydrazine as propellants, is equipped with a 5kN main engine and an autonomous navigation and guidance system, and has the ability to autonomously maneuver and deploy more than 20 times in rapid orbits. It is mainly used for multi-satellite deployment missions in different orbits, and can directly send multiple satellites to predetermined space locations. It can also play an important role in rapid and flexible entry into space, space maneuvers, and space utilization.
Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration











































