These 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.

The Long March 11 (CZ-11 or Chang Zheng 11) is a Chinese solid-fueled, four-stage carrier rocket developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). It is part of the broader Long March family of rockets, which have been the backbone of China’s space program for decades. The Long March 11 stands out because it is one of the few Chinese rockets designed for rapid response launches, meaning it can be stored for long periods and launched on short notice.

The CZ-11 was first launched on September 25, 2015, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. It was designed primarily to deliver small satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) and sun-synchronous orbits (SSO). The rocket’s solid-propellant design allows for quicker preparation compared to liquid-fueled rockets, making it ideal for missions requiring flexibility, such as deploying small satellite constellations or replacing malfunctioning satellites quickly.

One of the Long March 11’s most distinctive features is its mobility and versatility. It can be launched from both land-based platforms and sea-based platforms, the latter through a system called “Long March 11H.” The sea launch capability, first demonstrated in June 2019, enhances China’s ability to conduct launches from various latitudes and reduces risks associated with debris falling over populated areas. Sea launches also offer operational advantages for sending satellites into specific orbital inclinations.

In terms of specifications, the Long March 11 stands about 20.8 meters tall, has a diameter of 2 meters, and weighs around 58 metric tons at liftoff. It can carry payloads of approximately 700 kilograms to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. While relatively small compared to China’s larger Long March rockets (like the Long March 5), its simplicity, reliability, and rapid deployment potential make it an important part of China’s growing commercial and strategic launch capabilities.

Image courtesy of 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.