What rocket is launching Demo Flight?

Demo Flight is launching on the Tianlong-2.

Who is launching Demo Flight?

Demo Flight is being launched by Space Pioneer, a commercial launch provider founded in 2015.

Where is Demo Flight launching from?

Demo Flight is launching from Launch Area 120 at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China.

What orbit is Demo Flight heading to?

Demo Flight is heading to Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

Is the Tianlong-2 reusable?

No — the Tianlong-2 is an expendable launch vehicle.

How many times has the Tianlong-2 flown?

The Tianlong-2 has launched 1 times to date, with 1 successful flights.

Back to Launches

Demo Flight

Test Flight

Success

Space Pioneer(SP)Commercial

Tianlong-2SSOorbit

Launch time

Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 8:48 AM

Success

At a glance

Status: Launch Successful
Provider: Space Pioneer
Type: Commercial
Vehicle: Tianlong-2
Orbit: SSO
Pad: Launch Area 120
Location: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Designator: 2023-049

Social Flight Log

Apr 2, 2023, 9:27 AM
Launch success.
Source
Mar 31, 2023, 9:11 AM
Rescheduled for April 2 per new NOTAMs.
Source
Mar 30, 2023, 2:45 PM
Launch apparently delayed with related NOTAMs cancelled.
Source
Mar 30, 2023, 12:42 PM
Launch window extended.
Source
Mar 29, 2023, 10:35 AM
Apparently rescheduled to March 31, different launch window per new NOTAMs.
Source
Mar 28, 2023, 4:06 PM
Launch delayed per NOTAM cancellation and insider rumors.
Source
Mar 25, 2023, 8:50 AM
Added launch per NOTAMs; Launch vehicle and payload identities not confirmed to be related to launch at given time and date.
Source

Overview

First launch of the Tianlong-2 and first launch for the Chinese private company Space Pioneer. It carried a dummy payload and the iTaikong Science cubesat to SSO for technology demonstration and public outreach Earth observation purposes.

Mission details

Orbital Attempt

#6,422

SP Mission

Pad Launch

Location Launch

#190

Designator

2023-049

Launch Window

NET

Apr 2, 2023, 8:48 AM

Precision

Second

Schedule Changes

1 update

Lift Off

8:23 AM

Window Open

9:47 AM

Window Close

Launch Area 120

Total Launches

Orbital Attempts

Wikipedia Map

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a Chinese spaceport located between the Ejin, Alxa, Inner Mongolia and Hangtian Town, Jinta County, Jiuquan, Gansu Province. It is part of the Dongfeng Aerospace City (Base 10).

Timezone

Asia/Shanghai

Local Launch Time

Apr 2, 2023, 4:48 PM

Total Launches

291

Total Landings

Coordinates

40.9581, 100.2911

View location page

Frequently asked questions

Tianlong-2 Specs

Tianlong-2 is a medium-sized, 3 stage rocket powered by RP-1 and liquid oxygen, with payload capability of 2 tonnes to LEO and 1.5 tonnes to SSO. Tianlong-2 has a liftoff weight of 150 tonnes, liftoff thrust of 190 tonnes and initially uses 3 YF-102 expander cycle RP-1/LOX engines on the first stage each with a thrust of 63.3 metric tonnes. The second stage uses 1 TH-11 staged combustion RP-1/LOX with a thrust of 30.6 metric tonnes. 7 TH-11 engines will be used for the 1st stage of subsequent vehicles. The third stage uses 1 TH-31 NTO/MMH hypergolic fuel engine with 3000 N thrust and 8 x 150 N RCS thrusters. The Tianlong-2 is the first Chinese RP-1-fueled private orbital rocket to attempt an orbital flight.

Length

32.8 m

Diameter

3.35 m

Launch Mass

150 t

Thrust

1,863 kN

Capacity

2,000 kg

Capacity

1,500 kg

Reusable

Maiden Flight

2023

Total Launches

Successful

Failed

Consecutive Success

Maiden flight: Apr 2, 2023

Wikipedia

Space Pioneer

Space Pioneer is a Chinese private space launch company based in Beijing. It was founded in 2015 by Kang Yonglai.

Founded

2015

Administrator

CEO: Kang Yonglai

Total Launches

Successful

Failed

Pending

Consecutive Success

Wikipedia Website

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

Launch Area 120

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Frequently asked questions

What rocket is launching Demo Flight?

Who is launching Demo Flight?

Where is Demo Flight launching from?

What orbit is Demo Flight heading to?

Is the Tianlong-2 reusable?

How many times has the Tianlong-2 flown?

What is the Demo Flight mission?