The whole world eyes were focussed on China as it was launching the country’s largest satellite into the orbit. However it received a set back as an anomaly occurred during the flight. It was launched at 7.23 PM, local time from Wenchang Space Launch in Hainan, a southern province of China. The rocket carrier, Long March-5 Y2 was used. This carrier made its first flight in November 2061. It had sent its payload into pre-set orbit. Long March -5 Y2 can launch 25 tonnes into low earth orbit. It had launched a 14 tonne satellite which was for communication. The tests in communication were satellite-ground laser communication technology, Q/V band satellite and advanced Hull electric propulsion. It was designed to carry Shijian-18 which was one of the heaviest satellites. The next mission was planned to the moon. Long March-5 series was the last test launch for its bigger project Chang “e-5 which was to happen in the later part of the year.
Long March-5 is an eco-friendly carrier as it uses kerosene, liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. Most rocket launchers around the world used highly toxic propellants. China, in the recent years, is concentrating on space programmes and each of them is massive in size. Manned missions with space stations are under way. And the most ambitious mission is the mission to the moon. These programmes have fine tuned the missile power of China. In April, China sent its first cargo spacecraft, using Long March-7 Y2 carrier. This rocket was used to put in orbit an experimental space station which China plans to make fully operational by 2022. With so many plans afoot, this anomaly has been a setback for the space programme of China. But with so much of expertise at hand China is bound to re-launch this as early as possible.
