China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationLong March 8201, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
Queqiao-2
Launched
March 20, 2024 · 00:31 UTC
Image: 秦英健/Qin Yingjian
Summary
Queqiao-2 launched on a China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 8 from 201, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China on March 20, 2024 at 00:31 UTC. The launch window ran from 00:21 to 02:16 UTC. It was China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's 459th launch, 7th this year and humanity's 6,641st orbital launch attempt. It was the 2nd Long March 8 flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for Lunar Orbit (LO). 4 objects from this launch are catalogued, 3 of them payloads.
- Watch
- Queqiao-2 launchSciNews
- 微博直播Weibo
- Vehicle
- Long March 8 · China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationChinese Lunar Exploration Program
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Planetary Science · Lunar Orbit (LO)
- Milestone
- 2nd Long March 8 flight · 1st this yearChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's 459th launch7th this yearhumanity's 6,641st orbital launch attempt52nd orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
Catalogued objects
4 catalogued: 3 payloads, 1 rocket stage
- Queqiao-2 · NORAD 59276 · left Earth orbit March 20, 2024
- Tiandu-1 · NORAD 59278 · left Earth orbit March 20, 2024
- Tiandu-2 · NORAD 59279 · left Earth orbit March 20, 2024
CZ-8 Y3 Stage 2 · left Earth orbit March 20, 2024
Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org
About this launch
Queqiao-2 is a Chinese artificial satellite to serve as a communications relay for future Chinese lunar far side missions that cannot communicate directly with the Earth, beginning with the Chang'e 6 lunar sample return mission in 2024. It will operate from a Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) of the Moon. The launch also carries the Tiandu-1 & 2 small satellites testing cis-lunar space navigation and inter-satellite communication techniques for CNSA’s Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL).
Pad
201, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
17th launch from 201, 2nd this year · 28th from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
Local pad time at liftoff: Mar 20, 8:31 AM GMT+8, in daylight
33 launches from this pad · 75 from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
62 days after the previous launch from this pad
All launches from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of ChinaOpen in maps
Updates
Launch success.
Show 6 earlier updates
Liftoff
SwGustav · 3/20/2024 · source
Tweaked T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin · 3/18/2024 · source
Updated launch window per additional NOTAMs.
Cosmic_Penguin · 3/15/2024 · source
Added tentative launch date and window per NOTAMs; Identity of launch with launch vehicle and payload combination uncertain.
Cosmic_Penguin · 3/15/2024 · source
NET March 2024.
Cosmic_Penguin · 10/2/2023 · source
Added launch.
Cosmic_Penguin · 4/25/2023 · source
Questions
When did Queqiao-2 launch?
Queqiao-2 launched on March 20, 2024 at 00:31 UTC. The launch window ran from 00:21 to 02:16 UTC.
Where can I watch Queqiao-2?
Coverage: Queqiao-2 launch; 微博直播. Watch the replay
What rocket launched Queqiao-2?
Long March 8, flown by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Long March 8 spec sheet
Where did Queqiao-2 launch from?
201, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China. Liftoff was Mar 20, 8:31 AM GMT+8 local time at the pad.
What orbit was Queqiao-2 going to?
Lunar Orbit (LO), a planetary science mission.
How many satellites did Queqiao-2 launch?
3 payloads from this launch are catalogued (Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org).
Which program is Queqiao-2 part of?
Chinese Lunar Exploration Program. About Chinese Lunar Exploration Program