At 0736 GMT on 31 August a Chinese Long March 2D (CZ-2D) rocket carried a triplet of satellites into LEO. The mission lifted-off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China. The three payloads on this mission were identified as a new Yaogan-series, Yaogan-39. Although described as having a “remote sensing” mission by Chinese state media, it is generally believed by observers that “Yaogan” spacecraft have a military reconnaissance purpose.
The Long March 2D rocket lifting-off from Xichang. Courtesy: Xinhua/Huang Guochang
