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Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
18:11:00
Thursday May 6, 2021
Apocalypse (also named Tianqi) is a series of small Chinese experimental LEO comsats by Guodian Gaoke for IoT (Internet of Things) communications, which are also carrying a camera for educational purposes. Guodian Gaoke plans to operate an IoT constellation. The "Apocalypse Constellation" provides users with much-needed data collection and transmission services for terrestrial network coverage blind areas, which are widely used in marine, environmental protection, meteorological, forestry, geological, emergency, rescue, and smart city industries to enhance China's global data network coverage and application capabilities are of strategic importance.
Low Earth Orbit
1 Payload
6 kilograms
The purpose of the satellites is not confirmed, although the news reports hint towards a SIGINT mission, especially to detect ships by their radio emissions. They are also known as CX 5 by the manufacturer. They are launched by triplet, in a similar way to the old American NOSS system, or to the Yaogan-31 constellation.
Low Earth Orbit
3 Payloads
Agency
CASCPrice
$30.80 million
Rocket
Height: 42m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 2,850 kg
GTO: 1,000 kg
Liftoff Thrust
2,962 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 3.35m
Height: 8.37m
Stages
2
55th
Mission
1st
Mission of 2021
40th
Orbital launch attempt