Space Launch NowUpcoming Launches
All upcoming launchesLoading launches
China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationLaunch SuccessfulEarth ScienceLong March 2C/SM
Launched 2003-12-29 19:06:18 UTCLaunch Complex 3 (LC-3/LA-1), Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Success
Reached Elliptical Orbit
Worldwide
63rd
orbital launch attempt in 2003
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
7th
launch this year
Launch Complex 3 (LC-3/LA-1)
1st
launch from this pad this year
Pad turnaround
1282 d 7 h
since the pad's previous launch
The Double Star spacecraft, called also Tan Ce (TC) which in Chinese means ‘Probe‘, is a joint Chinese and ESA mission to study the effect of the Sun on the Earth's environment. The polar spacecraft (TC-2) will monitor the energy input from the solar wind into the polar ionosphere. The equatorial spacecraft (TC-1) will investigate the so-called substorm process, when it is in the Earth's magnetotail, and the entry of solar particle on the front side of the magnetosphere.
Launch Provider
Government · China · Founded 1999 · Chairman & President Lei Fanpei
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.
Launches
621
Successful
605
97%
Landings
1
of 2
Upcoming
7
scheduled
Height
42m
Diameter
3.4m
To low Earth orbit
3,850kg
Liftoff thrust
2,962kN
Space Launch Now for iOS and Android
Notifications before every launch you follow, live countdowns on your home screen and watch, and webcasts as they start.
