Launch details

Long March 4B | Ziyuan-3-04

CNSA

Government CHN

Launch Complex 9

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center

Dec 16 at 11:10am

Launchpad time+0800

Dec 16 at 03:10am

Your local time+0000

Current status

Launch Successful

Long March 4B

Launch vehicle

Ziyuan-3-04

Mission

38.8631

Latitude

111.5896

Longitude

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24 hours before launch

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1 hour before launch

Note: For all launches the scheduled launch dates and times are subject to change due to weather, equipment, crew and other factors.

Mission description

The ZY-3 (Ziyuan-3, 'Resource-3') series represents China's first high-resolution, stereoscopic mapping satellites for civilian use. The second satellite is managed by the Satellite Surveying and Mapping Application Center (SASMAC). The imaging payload consists of a three-line camera array and a multispectral imager. The three-line panchromatic camera array to acquire stereoscopic imagery consists of three telescopic cameras with one oriented to the nadir and the other two each offset by 22° forward and backward in flight direction. The stereo mapping camera of ZY-3 has a resolution of 2.1 m for the nadir camera, and 2.6 m for the offset cameras. The swath width is 51 km. The multispectral imager for environmental and vegetation monitoring consists of a three-mirror telescope and a cooled detector system sensitive to four wavelength bands to capture full-color imagery as well as near-infrared data. The ground resolution of this system is 5.8 m.

Ziyuan-3-04

Livestream

Attending a launch in person

Chinese spaceports are generally closed to foreigners so I don't have much information, please reach out if you know more. For Chinese citizens a permit can be booked with CASC for a fee, typically around $20 USD.

How to get there

The closest commercial airport is Taiyuan Wusu International Airport in Taiyuan.

From Taiyuan you can either rent a car or take a bus 3-4 hours to Kelan County, and from there drive another hour to the launch center.

Accomodation

Nearby hotels in Kelan County.

Nearby parking

Parking available on-site.

Agency details

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is China's main space agency responsible for the country's space exploration, satellite launches, and human spaceflight programs. CASC has achieved significant milestones like the Chang'e lunar missions, Tianwen Mars mission, and the development of the Long March rocket family, advancing China's space capabilities.