Yaogan 30

Yaogan 30 is a series of Earth remote sensing satellites for China.

State media report the satellites are scientific in nature and are used for land survey, agriculture monitoring, and disaster response.

Western nations believe the Yaogan 30s are SIGINT, or Signals Intelligence, satellites to monitor shipping and radio communications for the military.

All Yaogan 30 satellites have so far been launched in groups of three into 600 km orbits inclined 35 degrees to the equator.

Photo credit: Supercluster

Chang Zheng 2C

The Chang Zheng 2C is a two-stage rocket built by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

It uses two highly toxic propellants, nitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine. Exposure to these fuels as the first stage falls back to Earth near (and sometimes on) populated and un-evacuated villages can lead to severe health issues for residents.

The rocket flew for the first time on September 9th, 1982 and can launch from three Chinese facilities: The Jiuquan, Taiyuan, and Xichang Satellite Launch Centers.

It can take up to 3,850 kg to low Earth orbit and 1,400 kg to a more specialized Sun-synchronous orbit.

Launch Complex 3

LC-3 is one of two launch areas at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

The pad was completely rebuilt and upgraded between 2005 to 2006 for China's lunar exploration program.

It can currently launch the Chang Zheng 2, 2C, 3 and 3B rockets.

Xichang Satellite Launch Center

The center was built in the early 1980s and takes its name from the closest major city, Xichang, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.

The space center is used to launch international scientific, civilian, and military satellites.

Xichang is not without controversy. In 1996, it was the site of a deadly launch accident when a rocket flew off course and crashed into an un-evacuated village 1.2 km away.

In 2007, it was used to launch an anti-satellite missile test which destroyed a satellite in low Earth orbit. The test created thousands of pieces of debris that were very hard to track and was criticized for the danger it potentially placed the crew of the International Space Station in.