China launches classified Yaogan satellites into orbit

China recently launched Changsei 2C rocket from the Xichang satellite launch centre. It is a Yaogan satellite. This satellite has joined the previous seven groups in orbit that were launched after 2017. The satellite is to be used for electromagnetic environmental surveys and other related technical tests.

About the launch

• China launched three Yaogan-30 satellites and Tianqi-12 satellite in its Long March 2C. It was launched from Jiuquan Launch Centre in Gobi desert.
• Prior to the Yaogan-30 mission, Yaogan-34 satellite was launched.
• China is planning to launch forty satellites in 2021.
• In May 2021, Tianzhou-2 Cargo and refuelling spacecraft is to be launched. It is a part of Tiangong Space Station.

Yaogan satellites

It is a series of Chinese Reconnaissance satellites. Reconnaissance satellite is a spy satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. However, Chinese claim that Yaogan satellites are launched for land survey, crop yield assessment, scientific experiment and disaster monitoring.

Recent Developments

• In April 2021, China launched Tianhe space station core module.
• In May 2021, it fell into Indian Ocean

Several countries raised concerns against this as the track of the falling rocket was not tracked properly. China was not transparent in informing the world about its falling rocket. The rocket fell in the Indian Ocean near Maldives. It was one of the heaviest satellites lanunched in the world.

Tiangong Programme

It is a Chinese programme that aims to create modular space station. Tiangong-1 was the first space laboratory launched by the Chinese in 2011. Later Tiangong-2 was launched in 2016.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2021