CHINA AEROSPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Long March 2C/SM | Tan Ce 1

SUCCESS Long March 2C/SM →
Dec 29, 2003 at 19:06 UTC
Elliptical Orbit Earth Science Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China 100% success
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Live Orbit
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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADLaunch Complex 3 (LC-3/LA-1)
SITEXichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China →
ORBITElliptical Orbit
TYPEEarth Science

The Double Star spacecraft, called also Tan Ce (TC) which in Chinese means ‘Probe‘, is a joint Chinese and ESA mission to study the effect of the Sun on the Earth’s environment. The polar spacecraft (TC-2) will monitor the energy input from the solar wind into the polar ionosphere. The equatorial spacecraft (TC-1) will investigate the so-called substorm process, when it is in the Earth’s magnetotail, and the entry of solar particle on the front side of the magnetosphere.

MISSION
Tan Ce 1
MISSION TYPE
Earth Science
TARGET ORBIT
Elliptical Orbit
COUNTRY
CHN
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 87d9c792-ec64-4ffe-a123-cbafb6308b34
Reported date: Dec 29, 2003 at 19:06 UTC
Last synced: 12 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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MANUFACTURER
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
VARIANT
C/SM
FLIGHTS
2
SUCCESSES
2
SUCCESS RATE
100%

The Long March 2C is a family of expendable launch vehicles made and operated by China. It is a two stage launch vehicle with storable propellants, consisting of Nitrogen Tetroxide and Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine.

When is the Long March 2C/SM | Tan Ce 1 launch?
The Long March 2C/SM | Tan Ce 1 is scheduled for Monday, December 29, 2003 at 7:06 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Tan Ce 1?
The Long March 2C/SM | Tan Ce 1 mission uses the Long March 2C/SM rocket, manufactured by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The Long March 2C/SM has flown 2 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Long March 2C/SM | Tan Ce 1 launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 3 (LC-3/LA-1) at Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China.
What orbit is Tan Ce 1 going to?
The Tan Ce 1 mission is targeting Elliptical Orbit.
Who is launching Tan Ce 1?
The Long March 2C/SM | Tan Ce 1 is operated by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Can I watch the Long March 2C/SM | Tan Ce 1 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch date set: Dec 29, 2003 at 19:06 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 12 minutes ago
Launch Library 212 minutes ago
Launch ID: 87d9c792-ec64-4ffe-a123-cbafb6308b34
Open-Meteo Weather22 hours ago
Pad weather at 28.25, 102.03

Mission Profile

Tan Ce 1 was a Long March 2C/SM mission operated by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation that lifted off from Launch Complex 3 (LC-3/LA-1), Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China on December 29, 2003. The flight carried its payload on a earth science mission to Elliptical Orbit. The launch was a success.