Meet Ziyuan-1-02E, a series of high-resolution Earth observation satellites from the China Academy of Space Technology and the Ministry of Land and Resources of the People’s Republic of China.

The fleet of Ziyuan satellites provides information for city planning, disaster management and response, and agriculture.

In Mandarin, Ziyuan means “resources.”

CAS-9

CAS-9 is an amateur radio satellite hitching a ride with Ziyuan-1-02E.

Functions of the cubesat include an ultra-high frequency continuous wave telemetry beacon, GMSK telemetry data transmission, V/U mode linear transponder, visible light band space camera, and high school student experimental that features a thermoelectric generator.

The Chang Zheng 4C is a rocket within China's launch vehicle family that is closely related to the Chang Zheng 4B.

The 4C's only difference from the 4B is the use of a restartable upper stage engine and a bigger payload fairing to take larger spacecraft to orbit.

It flew for the first time on April 26th, 2006 and can take up to 4,200 kg to low Earth orbit or 1,500 kg into geostationary transfer orbit.

It can launch from both the Taiyuan and Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centers.

It is manufactured by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.

Image: Xinhua

LA-9

One of three launch sites at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, LA-9 (Launch Area 9) hosts the Chang Zheng 2C, 4B, and 4C rocket variants.

The pad was used for the first time in October 2008.

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center

The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center is located in Kelan County, Xinzhou, Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China.

It became fully operational in 1968 and is used primarily to launch weather, Earth observation, and science missions to Sun-Synchronous orbits.

The launch site has also hosted Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile tests.

Taiyuan has three launch pads, LA-7, LA-9, and LA-16, and currently hosts the launches of the Chang Zheng 1D, 2C, 4A, 4B, 4C, and 6 rockets.