China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is scheduled to launch a Long March 2D rocket as part of the CAS Pathfinder-1 mission. The launch is scheduled on 11/11/2026 11:41 UTC for the Technology mission launching from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China. The status of the launch is Success. Don’t miss this exciting rocket launch! Watch the launch video of the Long March 2D and experience the excitement for yourself.
Mission: CAS Pathfinder-1
The Chinese Academy of Science (CAS)’ Pathfinder-1 satellites is built for in-orbit validation of critical technologies for the upcoming main missions of CAS’ “Origins” Space Science Program, which consists of 4 upcoming astronomical observatory missions to be launched by 2030:
* Discovering the Sky at the Longest wavelength (DSL
* Solar Polar Orbit Observatory (SPO)
* Earth 2.0 (ET)
* Enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry (eXTP)
The mission consists of a main satellite and 3 sub-satellites, the later of which flies in formation to demonstrate a low frequency radio astronomy interferometry instrument.
The main satellite also contains the following science instrument:
* Very Large Area Gamma-ray Space Telescope Pathfinder (VLAST-P)
* a magnetometer (MHI)
* an upper atmosphere LiDAR (HiRAL)
* a Langmuir Probe (LMP)
* a space weather monitor (SWEM)
Rocket: Long March 2D
The Long March 2D, also known as the Chang Zheng 2D, CZ-2D and LM-2D, is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. It is a 2-stage carrier rocket mainly used for launching LEO and SSO satellites.
Agency: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.
