Liftoff: China Shiyan-31 Optical Imaging Test Satellite | Long March 2D Rocket

Liftoff: China Shiyan-31 Optical Imaging Test Satellite | Long March 2D Rocket

Shiyan-31 Mission Patch: A spherical framework of rings representing celestial longitude and latitude with markings resembling ancient Chinese astronomical or zodiac markers. It also features five stars (stars often used to represent satellites).

 

A Long March-2D carrier rocket successfully launched the Shiyan-31 test satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. This satellite will be mainly used to verify new optical imaging technologies, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). This launch marked the 599th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series. 

The Shiyan-31 satellite was developed by CASC’s Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). The Long March 2D launch exceptionally used a wider 4.0-meter-diameter fairing. The rocket can deliver 1,300 kilograms of payload to a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.

The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) was founded in 1958. It was the first of China's four spaceports. The launch center has been the focus of many of China's historic space ventures, including the country's first satellite Dong Fang Hong I in 1970 and their first crewed space mission, Shenzhou V, on October 15, 2003.

Image Credit: CASC/Vony7

Text Credits: Xinhua/SpaceNews[dot]com
Release Date: Oct. 14, 2025

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