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China is set to increase its launch cadence after a slow start to the year, with over 35 launches planned for 2023. Recent launches include rockets from outside the Chang Zheng family and the successful fourth flight of the Chang Zheng 3 B/E rocket.

Chinese startup LandSpace has released a short documentary showcasing its rocket and the five-year build process. The documentary reveals the initial maiden launch of the methane rocket, Zhuque-2, and the challenges faced when the vernier engines malfunctioned, causing the rocket to tumble.

The first successful flight of an orbital methane rocket took place in July 2023, and a third flight is scheduled before the end of the year.

One recent launch involved the Chang Zheng 2C rocket carrying the Huanjing-2-06 satellite. The satellite operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit and has a resolution of five meters, facilitating Chinese disaster monitoring and supporting environmental protection surveillance.

The Ceres-1 rocket, based on solid-propellant motors, successfully launched in August, delivering seven payloads to a Sun-synchronous orbit. A Chinese rice noodle soup brand, Hao Huan Luo, sponsored the launch, displaying its logo on both the rocket and the payload adapter.

China is also focusing on SAR satellites, with the Chang Zheng 3 B/E rocket carrying the Ludi Tance-4 01 payload. These geosynchronous satellites offer continuous all-time Earth observation to support various applications, including resource monitoring, disaster management, and weather and earthquake monitoring.

On August 14, the Kuaizhou-1A rocket launched the Hede-3A-E mission, deploying five micro-satellites that provide commercial remote-sensing services.

The final launch of the week involved the Gaofen-12 04 satellite, lifted by the Chang Zheng 4C rocket. The Gaofen satellites are part of China’s civilian remote sensing program, offering high-resolution Earth observation capabilities.

With an ambitious launch schedule, China is striving to enhance its space capabilities and contribute to various sectors, including disaster monitoring, environmental protection, and commercial applications.

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