On February 23, 2024, China marked another achievement in space exploration by launching an experimental communication satellite. This event highlights China’s ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of what’s possible above Earth’s atmosphere.
The satellite will test out ways of high-speed communication from space
The launch involved the Long March-5 Y7 rocket, lifting off from Hainan’s Wenchang Space Launch Center. The mission’s star, the Communication Technology Demonstrator 11 satellite, was sent into orbit with a clear task: to test out new ways of doing high-speed communications across multiple bands from space.
This wasn’t just any launch. It was China’s ninth this year, showcasing the country’s busy schedule in space activities. The mission also added another successful chapter to the Long March rocket family’s history, now counting 509 flights.
The brains behind the rocket, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, and the satellite, the China Academy of Space Technology, are both looking into the future. They’re exploring how to improve connections between us down here and the vast expanse of space.
Beyond this launch, China’s space agenda is ambitious. Plans include sending the Chang’e 6 probe to the moon’s far side to collect and return samples to Earth, showing a keen interest in unlocking the moon’s mysteries.
Every Long March-5 rocket, fueled with over 750 metric tons of propellant, is a testament to China’s technological capabilities in space. It’s not just about reaching higher and further but doing so with an eye on practical applications, like better communication technologies that could change how we connect across the globe.
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(Via)
