By 
November 3rd, 2016
Credit: New China
China scored a big boost today in its space program activities.
The country’s Long March-5 lifted off from the newly completed Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, scoring high marks on its maiden flight.
Declared success
Wang Jingzhong, head of commanding center for Long March-5 launch, reported via CCTV-Plus:
“According to Xi’an Satellite Control Center, Long March-5 has been operating as planned. We have accurately sent the upper stages and the satellites into designated orbit. All systems are operating well. I now declare that the maiden flight of Long March-5 has been a successful mission!”
Long March-5 ready for first liftoff.
Credit: CASC via GBTimes
Moon, space station booster
As China’s largest carrier rocket, Long March-5 is slated to carry the Chang’e-5 lunar probe into space around 2017. It also serves as key to the country’s future space station plans.
Long March-5 has expanded the diameter of liquid-fuel rockets to 5 meters from the previous 3.35 meters. The 57-meter-long rocket is equipped with four liftoff thrusters each with a diameter of 3.35 meters, and thus is powered with more than 1,000 tons of thrust force.
Credit: CCTV-Plus
Using liquefied kerosene and very low-temperature or cryogenic liquefied oxygen and hydrogen as its fuels, Long March-5 is tagged as being non-toxic and pollution-free.
Liftoff of the Long March-5 marks the first use of the number 1 launch pad at the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, which is China’s first launch center along the coast line.
The Long March-5 carrier rocket is scheduled to have a second launch in the middle 2017.
For a video of the launch, go to:
http://cd-pv.news.cctvplus.com/2016/1103/8035823_Preview_5534.mp4
Posted in Space News
