Long March 4C launches Yaogan Weixing-16 spy satellite for China

[cirr]

November 25th, 2012

by Rui C. Barbosa

Following the postponement of the Zhongxing-12 (ChinaSat) communications satellite launch, the Chinese kept up their impressive launch pace with the lofting of the Yaogan Weixing-16 satellite by a Long March (Chang Zheng) 4C rocket on Sunday. The launch took place at 4:06am UTC from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

Chinese Launch:

Chinese media refer to the new satellite as a new remote sensing bird that will be used for scientific experiments, land survey, crop yield assessment, and disaster monitoring. As was the case with previous launches of the Yaogan Weixing series, western analysts believe this class of satellites is being used for military purposes.

In particular this mission is similar to the Yaogan Weixing-9, with three satellites flying in formation in a type of NOSS system. Being similar to the YG-9 mission, the triplet comprises an electro-optical surveillance satellite, an synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, and possibly a electronic/signal intelligence satellite.

Designed for location and tracking of foreign warships, the satellites will collect optical and radio electronic signatures of the maritime vessels that will be used in conjunction with other information valuable for the Chinese maritime forces.

This was the 172nd successful Chinese orbital launch, the 172nd launch of a Chang Zheng launch vehicle, the 55th successful orbital launch from Jiuquan and the fourth from Taiyuan this year. It was also the 17th successful orbital Chinese launch in 2012.

Long March 4C launches Yaogan Weixing-16 spy satellite for China | NASASpaceFlight.com

 

[qwerrty]

wow, that's a lot of spy satellites. this number 16 should be another SAR satellite

the HJ series also has 4 SAR and 4 optical for civilian use. 3 satellites already in orbit..

 

[cirr]

China successfully launches remote sensing satellite

English.news.cn 2012-11-25 15:11:58

JIUQUAN, Gansu, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center confirmed that China successfully launched the Yaogan XVI remote-sensing satellite into space at 12:06 a.m. Sunday.

The satellite, launched from the center in northwest China's Gansu Province, was boosted by a Long March-4C carrier rocket and sent into a predetermined orbit.

The Yaogan XVI remote-sensing satellite was developed by an affiliate research institute of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

It has been designed for a variety of uses, including technological experimentation, land resource surveying, agricultural yield estimation and disaster prevention and reduction.（who says it is a spy-satellite？It's nothing of the sort）

The launch marked the 172th of the Long March series carrier rockets.

China successfully launches remote sensing satellite - Xinhua | English.news.cn

 

[Type 052D]

If the middle kingdom masters GSSL and other Sattalite based rechnology, then the PLAAF's UCAV will have a established guidence system.

 

[xuxu1457]

this launch Yaogan XVI including 3 satellite:XVI A,B,C
Orbital Launches of 2012

 

[hk299792458]

YG-16 is succeeding to YG-9 constellation on sea tagets tracking and surveillance, they are both like NOSS White Cloud from the USA.