Shijian 21

A Long March 3B launched the Shijian-21 satellite from Xichang into geosynchronous transfer orbit to test space debris mitigation technology, including the ability to tow defunct satellites toward graveyard orbits.

Outcome

Success

Orbit

GTO

Geostationary transfer orbit

Payload to orbit

5.2 T (est.)

Flight

44th

of 78 Long March 3B/E flights

Date and time

24 October 2021, 01:27 UTC

Rocket

Long March 3B/E

Builder

CASC

Launch site

Launch Complex 2 (LC-2), Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Payload

Government/Top Secret

International designator

2021-094

Launches in 2021

103rd of 146

See it in orbit

Space Atlas shows the satellites and rocket stages from this launch in 3D.

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