At 11:06 AM on May 20, 2024, the Long March 2D launch vehicle successfully launched the Beijing-3C satellite constellation into its designated orbit from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, achieving a complete success in the launch mission.

The Long March 2D launch vehicle used for this mission is a level 2 carrier rocket with liquid propellant of normal temperature developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. It has a takeoff thrust of about 300 tons, and a payload capacity of 1.3 tons for deploying satellites into a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, as well as the single-satellite and multiple-satellite launching capabilities meeting the requirements of different orbits at Jiuquan, Taiyuan, and Xichang satellite launch centers. 

This launch involved the deployment of four satellites with a single rocket. To maximize the use of space within the satellite fairing, the launch vehicle's configuration, designed according to the shape of the satellites, adopts a "staggered parallel" layout with two high and two low positions. Additionally, the Long March 2D test team worked together with the satellite team to conduct multiple specialized reviews at the launch site, ensuring the complete success of the mission by addressing satellite safety clearance, dynamic displacement, satellite-to-launcher distances during satellite solar panel deployment, and combined satellite- launcher operations.

The launch vehicle also carried a first sub-stage landing zone control system, namely the grid fin control system. During the launch vehicle's first sub-stage reentry and return phase, the grid fins are precisely controlled to guide the first sub-stage's flight. In numerous past flight tests, this system has achieved precise landing zone control, perfectly demonstrating the first sub-stage's new capability of "landing wherever instructed" and ensuring the safety of the landing zone time and again. It is worth mentioning that the grid fins used in this mission feature a swept-back configuration with a curved trailing edge, significantly improving aerodynamic performance and further enhancing the control capability of the grid fins. Moreover, the adoption of aerodynamic pin pullers, instead of traditional pyrotechnic pin pullers, ensures low impact and provides technical groundwork for future reusable rockets.

This launch mission is the 90^th launch of Long March 2D launch vehicle, the 211^st launch of the Long March series of launch vehicles developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, and the 523^th launch of Long March series of launch vehicles. The satellites launched in this mission were developed by DFH Satellite Co., Ltd., which is part of China Academy of Space Technology.