Long March 7A | Yaogan 45
Long March 7A • Long March
📝 Mission Description
China's Long March 7A Launches Yaogan 45: A Step Forward in Military Space Capabilities
On September 9, 2025, China successfully launched the Yaogan 45 satellite aboard a Long March 7A rocket from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island. This mission, shrouded in the typical secrecy surrounding China's military space endeavors, underscores Beijing's accelerating ambitions in orbital reconnaissance and remote sensing technologies. While official statements describe Yaogan 45 as a "remote sensing" satellite, its exact purposes remain classified, fueling speculation about its role in intelligence gathering, environmental monitoring, or strategic surveillance.
The mission's objectives center on deploying a satellite designed for high-resolution Earth observation. The Yaogan series, which includes over 40 satellites launched since 2006, typically features optical imaging, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and electronic intelligence (ELINT) payloads. Yaogan 45 likely builds on this lineage, offering capabilities for all-weather, day-night imaging with resolutions potentially finer than one meter. Such systems enable real-time data collection for military applications, including target tracking, border surveillance, and disaster response. Analysts suggest it could integrate with China's Beidou navigation network for enhanced geospatial accuracy, providing payload versatility that supports both defensive and offensive operations. However, without declassified details, its full capabilities—such as orbital altitude, sensor suite, or data downlink speeds—remain speculative, highlighting the opaque nature of China's dual-use space assets.
At the heart of the launch is the Long March 7A rocket, a medium-lift vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. Standing approximately 60 meters tall with a diameter of 3.35 meters, it features a two-stage core powered by liquid oxygen and kerosene engines, augmented by four strap-on boosters. The first stage employs YF-100 engines, delivering a combined thrust of about 1,200 kilonewtons, while the second stage uses hydrogen-oxygen propulsion for efficient orbital insertion. With a liftoff mass exceeding 570 tons, the 7A can deliver up to 7,000 kilograms to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) or 13,500 kilograms to low Earth orbit (LEO). This design emphasizes reliability and cost-effectiveness, incorporating modular components that reduce production time and environmental impact compared to hypergolic-fueled predecessors like the Long March 3 series.
The Long March 7A's performance history reflects steady improvements in China's launch infrastructure. Debuting in March 202
ℹ️ Official Details
A Chinese military “remote sensing” satellite of unknown purposes.
🎯 Post-Launch Analysis
The Long March 7A mission, launched on September 9, 2025, achieved a successful orbital insertion and payload deployment of the Yaogan 45 satellite, a Chinese military “remote sensing” asset with undisclosed objectives. The rocket’s technical performance was flawless, demonstrating reliable propulsion and guidance systems throughout the ascent. Payload deployment occurred as planned, with the satellite reaching its intended orbit, marking another milestone in China’s space capabilities. Key engineering outcomes include the validation of the Long March 7A’s design for precision launches, reinforcing its role in supporting national security missions. This success underscores China’s growing expertise in satellite deployment and space infrastructure. For future missions, it sets a strong precedent for operational reliability and may pave the way for more advanced remote sensing or military satellite constellations, further expanding China’s strategic presence in space.