China launched its largest carrier rocket Long March 5 (or Changzheng 5) in Wenchang, Hainan Province on December 27, 2019. It was the heavy rocket’s third flight, and the first since a failed launch in July 2017.
Developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the Long March 5 can carry 25 tons of cargo into near-Earth orbit and 14 tons to an Earth-synchronous orbit.
In the latest flight, the Long March 5 sent an 8-ton communication satellite, the heaviest in the world, into an Earth-synchronous orbit. According to Chinese media reports, the satellite is being used to test some new technologies.
The Long March 5 made its maiden voyage in 2016. But on its second flight in 2017, it failed to send the satellite into space due to structural problems in the engine.
Analysts said that the Long March 5’s latest flight indicates that China has made considerable progress in the development of heavy rockets which will help China pave the way for space exploration, especially sending astronauts to land on the Moon and setting up a space lab.
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