LM-2D Successfully Launched Three Satellites into Orbit on One Launch

At 15:19 Beijing time on June 17,a LM-2D launch lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center,successfully launched the Gaofen 9-03 (GF-9-03),HEAD-5 and PicoSat-3A satellites into their preset orbits.

The LM-2D launch vehicle was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.With a liftoff thrust of about 300 t,the conventional liquid 2-stage carrier rocket has the launch capacity of sending payloads up to 1.2 t in to a 700 km sun-synchronous circle orbit.It is capable of launching single and multiple satellites during one launch according with different launch requirements.

Following the mission launch on May 31,the LM-2D carrier rocket facility adopted a 13-working-day launch procedure,enabling two missions in 30 days,thus promoting a new launching mode.

The LM-2D carrier rocket was designed for three piggyback satellites with standardized and modular interfaces.The simple and reliable interfaces enable the LM-2D to launch various satellites without impacting the primary mission.

This was the 335th launch of the LM series launch vehicle.(WEI Jinghua/China Space News)

A LM-2D carrier rocket is lifting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch CenterPhoto:WU Jiadong