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China's first commercial liquid-fueled carrier rocket Tianlong-2 Y1 has been successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China on Sunday.
The rocket blasted off at 4:48 p.m., carrying a satellite into pre-set orbit. The purpose of the flight was to verify the overall plan of the rocket and systematic coordination, as well as obtain the flight environment parameters of the launch vehicle. The satellite will be used for technology verification of remote sensing experiment.
Tianlong-2 rocket takes off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, April 2, 2023. /CMG
Tianlong-2 rocket takes off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, April 2, 2023. /CMG
Developed by Chinese commercial rocket company Space Pioneer, the rocket is 35 meters long with a liftoff mass of 150 tonnes. The medium-sized rocket is a three-stage launch vehicle propelled by kerosene and liquid oxygen.
The rocket type can cater to China's demand for low-cost, high-reliability, quick-response, and large-scale launches of small satellites and constellations.
The mission is the first flight for Tianlong-2 carrier rocket.
(CGTN's Ning Hong also contributed to the story.)