China launched four communications satellites in China this week, with two launches from different launch locations, just hours apart, as the country continues its intense launch activity.
At 7:15 AM EDT, a Long March 2C rocket lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Gobi Desert, northwest China. It was launched at 7:15 AM EDT (1115 GMT, 7 :15 PM local time) on August 24.
According to U.S. satellite tracking, the rocket used a Yuanzheng 1S top stage to launch three payloads into close polar orbits at altitudes around 680 miles (1.100 km) above Earth.
Chinese space contractors and state media reported that two satellites were "fusion communication technology test satellites" with the acronym RSW. We were not provided with any further information.
Related: China's latest space news
Image 1 of 4. The Long March 3B carrying TSJW 7's satellite was launched on Aug. 24, 2021. Image credit: CASC. Image 2 of 4. Three communications satellites are launched into orbit by a Chinese Long March 2C rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Aug. 24, 2021. CNSA Image 3 of 4. A Long March 2C is ready to launch from Jiuquan on August 20, 2121. Image 4 of 4 Preparing a Long March 3B for the launch of the TSJW7 satellite at Xichang. Image credit: CASC. Image 4 Credit: CNSA. Image credit: CASC
China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) was responsible for the development of the satellites. It is a major satellite developer and part of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, a state-owned space contractor. DFH Satellite (a subsidiary of CAST) published and then removed an article allegedly accounting for the third satellite in the flight. Its nature and objectives remain unknown.
At 11:41 a.m. ET (1541 GMT, 11.41 p.m. EST) in Xichang, a hilly region of southwest China, a Long March 3B satellite successfully launched into geosynchronous orbit.
Chinese media described the payload in Chinese as "a new communication technology experiment satellite number 7," or TJSW 7. We were not provided with any further information. The launch was classified, indicating that the satellite was intended for defense purposes.
NASASpaceflight indicates that the spacecraft is one of several military satellites believed to be part a Chinese early-warning system for missile detection, which is similar to the Space-Based Infrared System of the United States (SBIRS).
These launches were China's 31st and 30th orbital missions in 2021. CASC has carried out all but two of these launches. It plans more than 40 launches in 2019.
The next CASC missions will be the launch of a Gaofen 5 Earth observation satellite, early GMT time Sept. 6, from Taiyuan in north China, as well as a commercial ChinaSat communications satellite, from Xichang, Sept. 9.
Tianzhou 3, a new cargo space station mission, is being launched from Wenchang, on the south coast, in mid-September. It will provide supplies for the Shenzhou 13 crewed missions in October.
Commercial Chinese companies are also preparing to go on their own missions. Expace plans to launch two Kuaizhou-1A solid rocket launches from Jiuquan this month.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @Spacedotcom
