MCQ Detailed View

The Lingxi-03 satellite, developed by the Chinese private aerospace company Galaxy Space, was launched using the Long March-2D carrier rocket. The Long March series, also called Chang Zheng (CZ), is a family of expendable launch systems developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) and has been used for decades to place satellites into different orbits. The Long March-2D in particular is a two-stage rocket designed to carry small and medium payloads into low Earth orbit (LEO) and sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).

The Long March-2D has been one of China’s most reliable launch vehicles since its first use in 1992. It is 41 meters tall, with a liftoff mass of about 232 tons. It uses unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as fuel and nitrogen tetroxide (N₂O₄) as the oxidizer. These hypergolic propellants ignite on contact, making the system efficient and reliable for frequent launches.

The Lingxi-03 satellite is part of Galaxy Space’s mission to build a constellation of low Earth orbit communication satellites. These satellites are aimed at advancing 5G communication technologies and providing broadband internet services from space. The successful launch with Long March-2D highlights China’s growing private and state-backed collaboration in aerospace development.

The incorrect options do not match historical facts. The Long March-3D is part of a different rocket family designed for heavier payloads. “Vertical March-3D” and “Orbital March-2D” are not recognized carrier rockets and appear to be distractors.

Thus, the correct carrier rocket for Lingxi-03 was the Long March-2D, which continues to be one of the most frequently used vehicles in China’s space program.