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Nations
China
China
Agencies
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Time: 10:30 PM UTC (UTC +0)

This goes

to space

Unknown Payload

The payload for this mission has not been revealed.

Unknown Payload

On this

rocket

Long March 2D

The Long March 2D (CZ-2D) is a two-stage orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), part of the China National Space Administration (CNSA). It is part of the broader Long March rocket family, known for its reliability and versatility. The Long March 2D is primarily designed to launch satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) and Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), making it suitable for missions like Earth observation, scientific research, and communication satellite deployment.

Specs

Height: 41.1 meters (134.8 feet)

Diameter: 3.35 meters (11 feet)

Liftoff Mass: 232 metric tons

Stages: 2 stages

Thrust (at liftoff): ~2,961 kN (666,000 lbf) from four YF-21C engines

Engine types: YF-21C engines (Stage 1) and YF-24C engines (Stage 2, with a YF-22C main engine and YF-23C vernier engines for control)

First launched in 1992, the Long March 2D has become a reliable workhorse for China's space program. It uses hypergolic propellants—unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as fuel and nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) as an oxidizer—which allow for efficient, though toxic, combustion. The rocket can carry payloads of 3,500 kg to LEO or 1,300 kg to SSO at 700 km altitude.

Long March 2D

From this

launch site

LC-2, Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

The space center was built in the early 1980s and takes its name from the closest city, Xichang in Sichuan Province, the People's Republic of China.

It is used to launch international scientific and commercial missions as well as satellites for the military.

The site is landlocked, so launches have to take place over land and populated areas.

This creates a potential danger to people living in the path of falling rocket stages and boosters that are discarded during launch.

Photo credit: CGTN

LC-2, Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Here's where to view Long March 2D

Viewing Sites
  • Xichang, People's Republic of China

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