SDG Satellite SDG-1, known as SDGSAT-1, is the first satellite developed specifically for the implementation of UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG), and the first Earth science satellite developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Tailored to the needs of monitoring and evaluating indicators related to global sustainable development, SDGSAT-1 is equipped with three kinds of payloads including thermal infrared, low-light-level, and multi-spectral imagers.

Image: China Aerospace

Developed in the 2000s and flown for the first time in 2015, the Chang Zheng 6 is a rapid-response rocket for China built to take small payloads of up to 1,080 kg to low Earth orbit.

Part of a “family” of three rockets, the Chang Zheng 6 is the small-satellite launcher of the group, including Chang Zheng 7 as the medium-lift launcher and Chang Zheng 5 as the heavy-lift vehicle.

The Chang Zheng 6's first two stages burn rocket-grade kerosene, called RP-1, and liquid oxygen (like the Falcon 9, Atlas V, and Soyuz). Chang Zheng 6’s third stage burns a highly toxic mixture of hypergolic propellant.

Image: Xinhua News Agency

LA-16

Launch Area 16 is one of three sites built at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. It is specifically designed for the Chang Zheng 6 rocket.

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center

The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center is located in Kelan County, Xinzhou, Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China.

It became fully operational in 1968 and is used primarily to launch weather, Earth observation, and science missions to Sun-synchronous orbits.

The launch site has also hosted Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile tests.

Taiyuan has three launch pads, LA-7, LA-9, and LA-16 and currently hosts the launches of the Chang Zheng 1D, 2C, 4A, 4B, 4C, and 6 rockets.