At 8:43, October 29th, 2018 BJT, Chinese-French Oceanography Satellite, known as CFOSAT, is launched successfully by Long March 2C (LM-2C) launch vehicle from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC), aboard with the piggyback satellites for the international and domestic customers who have contracted with China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC).

The piggyback payloads include BSUSat-1 satellite of Belarusian State University and 6 scientific experimental satellites and technology verification satellites from the domestic space companies.

This mission marks the 289th flight of Long March series launch vehicle and the 53rd flight of LM-2C launch vehicle. It is also the 16th international piggyback launch services provided by Long March family, as well as the 7th piggyback launch services provided by CGWIC for the domestic customers. In the year of 2018 there are 8 piggyback launch missions planned by CGWIC for the domestic and international customers, 5 of which have been successfully performed so far. There will be 13 piggyback satellites expected to be launched by the end of this year.

As the main passenger of this mission, CFOSAT is the first satellite mission conducted jointly by China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Centre national d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES). It will be the first satellite dedicated to remote sensing of ocean surface winds and waves jointly and simultaneously on a wide swath-width, which has been involved as a part of Global Space Climate Observatory and is capable to observe the land surface parameters.

The LM-2C Launch Vehicle is designed and manufactured by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). CFOSAT is designed and manufactured by DFH Satellite Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). Both CALT and CAST are subordinated to China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC).Part of payload on CFOSAT is developed and provided by CNES.

CGWIC is a subsidiary company of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). It is the commercial agency authorized by the Chinese government to provide commercial launch services, including piggyback launches, provide satellites in-orbit delivery services and develop international space cooperation as well as technology cooperation. It is the system integrator for China aerospace products and services. CGWIC can completely supply the satellite in-orbit delivery and the construction of satellite ground systems for domestic and international customers, with all-round and one-stop services to meet the diversified demands of the customers.

 

Date:2018-10-28