Long March-2 rocket carries three satellites into space

China launched three remote sensing satellites Friday on a Long March-2C rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

The Yaogan-30 01 satellites will conduct electromagnetic probes and other experiments. The satellites were developed by the Micro Satellite Innovation and Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Xu Qin, deputy chief designer of the Long March2C rocket, told China Central Television that Long March-2C rockets will play an important role in commercial space missions before a new generation of carrier rockets replace the ones that rely on conventional fuels.

Xu said the next step would be to improve the Long March2C’s carrying capacity, increase the production efficiency and shorten the preparation time for launch.

“Our goal is to fulfill our customer’s launch demand within 12 months from the time a request is filed,” Xu said.

By 2020, Long March-2C will complete more than 30 launches and commercial missions would account for about 25 percent of them, Xu noted.

The launch is the 251st mission of the Long March rocket family. In July, a Long March-5 rocket, carrying an experimental communications satellite, failed shortly after launch.