China’s space programme gets back on track with successful Long March 5 rocket launch
- CZ-5 mission declared a success after Shijian-20 satellite carrying ‘new era’ communications equipment entered its designated orbit on Friday evening
- Commander said team had ‘solved the problems’ that had led to two previous setbacks
China successfully launched its heavy-lift Long March 5 rocket on Friday evening, in a key step forward in its ambitious space programme after a series of setbacks.
Also known as the CZ-5, the rocket blasted off from a launch pad at the Wenchang centre in Hainan province with more than 1,000 tonnes of thrust at 8.45pm.
The Chinese space authorities declared the mission a “complete success” just over half an hour after lift-off when the Shijian-20 satellite it carried entered its designated orbit.
“After more than two years’ effort … the research and development team has overcome challenges in engine technology. [We] solved the problem,” Wang Yu, chief commander of the launch mission, told China News Service.
The launch will help to ensure that important technology to be used in subsequent missions works properly, including the Long March 5’s systems.
“The new satellite will bring China’s communication technology to a new era,” said Zhou Zhicheng, chief commander of the Dongfanghong-5 satellite platform.