Featured image credit: CALT
Lift Off Time | May 20, 2022 – 10:30 UTC | 18:30 BJT |
|---|---|
Mission Name | RSW-04 – 06, Internet Connectivity Test Satellites |
Launch Provider | China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) |
Customer | China Satellite Network Group Co. Ltd |
Rocket | Long March 2C / YZ-1S |
Launch Location | SLS-2, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China |
Payload mass | Unknown, a maximum of 3,850 kg (8,500 lb) based on orbital parameters |
Where did the satellites go? | Low Earth orbit (LEO) |
Did they attempt to recover the first stage? | No, this is not a capability of the CASC |
Where did the first stage land? | It crashed into North-West China |
Did they attempt to recover the fairings? | No, this is not a capability of the CASC |
Were these fairings new? | Yes |
This was the: | – 62nd launch of Long March 2C – 58th orbital launch attempt of 2022 (56th successful) |
Where to re-watch | If available, a replay will be listed here |
How Did It Go?
CASC successfully launched the Internet Connectivity Test Satellites (RSW-04 – 06), a set of communications satellites, atop a Long March 2C / YZ-1S rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on May 20, 2022. This mission marked the 62nd launch of Long March 2C.
The Internet Connectivity Test Satellites (RSW-04 – 06)
Very little is known about the payload. The RSW-04 – 06 are test satellites that will be part of the development of a state-owned low-earth orbit constellation, Xingwang, which is planned to consist of several thousand satellites. Plans indicate that the sub-constellations will range from 500-1,145 km in altitude, with inclinations between 30-85 degrees, and the satellites will cover a wide range of frequency bands.
The first Internet Connectivity Test Satellites (RSW-01 – 03) were launched on August 24, 2021 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Long March 2C / YZ-1S
The Long March 2C is a three stage launch vehicle, featuring a Yuanzheng upper stage, capable of putting up to 3,850 kg into low-Earth orbit, and up to 1,250 kg into geostationary transfer obit (GTO).
First Stage
The first stage has four YF-21C engines, each running on dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH). The stage produces 2,960 kN of thrust and has a specific impulse (ISP) of 260 seconds. The first stage is 25.72 meters tall and 3.35 meters in diameter.
Second Stage
The second stage has a single YF-24E engine, containing one main YF-22E engine for thrust, and four YF-23C attitude control thrusters, running on N2O4 and UDMH. The main engine produces 816 kN of thrust and the attitude control thrusters each produce 47 kN. The main engine has an ISP of 300 seconds, while the attitude control thrusters have an ISP of 289 seconds.
Third Stage
The third stage, the Yuanzheng, is a restartable upper stage. The variant used on the Long March 2C is designated YZ-1S. The Yuanzheng allows launch vehicles to deploy their payloads directly into high energy orbits, like medium Earth orbit (MEO) and geosynchronous orbit (GSO). The stage features one YF-50D engine, which like the first and second stages runs UDMH and N2O4. It provides 6.5 kN of thrust and has an ISP of 315.5 seconds. The stage can perform at least two burns within its lifespan of 6.5 hours.
