29 March 2022
A modified version of the CZ-6 carrier rocket with a liquid fuelled core stages and 4 solid strap-on boosters of 2 m diameter each, made its premier flight on 29 March 2022 at 17:50 BJT, sending two satellites into planned orbit. The SAST-built rocket, named CZ-6A, was launched from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre. It is a 50 m tall, medium-lift rocket of 530 t lift-off mass and a payload capacity of 4 t into SSO. The 1st and 2nd core stages have a diameter of 3.35 m. The 1st core stage is propelled by a 120 t-thrust engine and the 2nd by a 18 t-thrust engine. Both are burning liquid oxygen and kerosene. For the first time, a Chinese rocket is equipped with solid strap-on boosters. It can send satellites into LEO, SSO and intermediate circular orbit.
One of the two launched satellites, Pujiang 2, will carry out scientific test and research, land and resources survey and other tasks. It was also built by SAST. The other satellite, Tiankun 2, was built by CASIC. It will carry out verification of space environment detection technology test.
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