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SUPPORTThese are the Jilin-1 Gaofen 03 satellites.
With a mass of just 42 kg, they are small... but powerful.
Built by the Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company, each satellite performs Earth observations and captures high-definition video of the planet's surface with a resolution up to 1 meter.
They operate from an orbit of 580 km.
Meet the Chang Zheng 11, China's solid-fueled rocket.
The CZ-11, as it is abbreviated, is also known as the Long March 11 outside of China.
The rocket is called Chang Zheng 11 when launched from land and Chang Zheng 11H when launched from an ocean platform.
Chang Zheng 11 is manufactured by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology and is designed as a rapid-response, short notice rocket that can be launched from trucks or ships.
The rocket flew for the first time on September 25, 2015.
Its land launch sites are the Jiuquan or Xichang Satellite Launch Centers while a specially converted barge in the Yellow Sea is used for ocean launches.
(Image Credit: Xinhua)
Unlike the drone ships we see Falcon 9 boosters land on after launch, this specially designed barge is the place where Chang Zheng 11H missions start their trips to space from.
Using this barge means China can reach certain orbits that are inaccessible from land launch sites because of the cities they would have to fly over.
The barge is a way to keep people on the ground safe while still launching missions to the points in space they need to get to to do their jobs.
A podcast exploring the amazing milestones that changed space history, the wildest ideas that drive our future, and every development in this new Golden Age of Space.
Your support makes the Astronaut Database and Launch Tracker possible, and keeps all Supercluster content free.
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