https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023...oundup-121723/
Chinese massive Chang Zheng 5 (CZ-5) rocket flew once again.
Liftoff of the Yaogan 41 mission took place on Friday, Dec. 15, at 13:41 UTC from Wenchang, the usual launch site for the CZ-5. The payload was described as a remote sensing satellite, which would operate in a high orbit. It was tracked in a standard geostationary transfer orbit after launch.
The fairing of the rocket seems to be extended compared to previous missions, which indicates a large payload inside. The mass could be in the range of 10,000 kilograms or more, given the capability of the rocket which is the most powerful in China’s current fleet.
Chang Zheng 5 is a heavy-lift rocket, used only for missions where China requires its performance to deploy heavy payloads or reach high-energy trajectories. It stands 57 meters toll, with a liftoff thrust of 10,565 kilonewtons. It can place up to 32,000 kilograms of payload into LEO, and up to 14,000 kilograms into GTO.
The official purpose of the Yaogan 41 is stated as “Land Surveying, survey of crops, environment control, meteorology alert, and general disaster prevention and mitigation” which is most likely a placeholder for its true mission.