LKW-1 - CZ-2D - JSLC, LC43/603 - December 3, 2017 (04:11 UTC)

[input~2]

Object cataloged:

2017-077A/43034 in 489 x 502 km x 97.46°

RAAN of 50° and altitude not far from those for YG-21 (46°/484 x 499 km) or YG-26 (53°/481 x 491 km)

[SciNews]

Long March-2D launches remote sensing satellite

A Long March-2D launch vehicle (Chang Zheng-2D) launched a new remote sensing satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China, on 3 December 2017, at 04:11 UTC (12:11 Beijing Time).

[Phillip Clark]

I wonder why the CZ-2D is the only Chinese launch vehicle which de-orbits the second stage after the satellite has separated in orbit.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Hexagonal shaped spacecraft with three solar panels.

[Steven Pietrobon]

I wonder why the CZ-2D is the only launch vehicle which de-orbits the second stage after the satellite has separated in orbit.

Do you mean the only Chinese launch vehicle? Falcon 9, Delta II and Atlas V have deorbited their second stages. Probably others as well. Perhaps the four vernier engines with their lower thrust and easier control enables the deorbit.

[eeergo]

From the video:

[Phillip Clark]

I wonder why the CZ-2D is the only launch vehicle which de-orbits the second stage after the satellite has separated in orbit.

Do you mean the only Chinese launch vehicle? Falcon 9, Delta II and Atlas V have deorbited their second stages. Probably others as well. Perhaps the four vernier engines with their lower thrust and easier control enables the deorbit.

Just edited the original post so that it specifies Chinese, which was my intention.

[Liss]

Close in height to YG-12/YG-21 but slightly higher.

[gwiz]

Does the similarity to Jilin-1 Optical mean the same bus was used, or just coincidence?

[SmallKing]

Does the similarity to Jilin-1 Optical mean the same bus was used, or just coincidence?

No this satellite is more advanced

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Bigger versions:

[input~2]

[SciNews]

A better view of the control center display

[input~2]

4 more objects have been cataloged; could be 4 retro rocket fairing tops from the 2nd stage

2017-077B/43035 in 479 x 503 km x 97.37°
2017-077C/43036 in 493 x 513 km x 97.59°
2017-077D/43037 in 423 x 499 km x 97.55°
2017-077E/43038 in 451 x 505 km x 97.34°