Long March-5 Y2 rocket was due to carry the heaviest Shijian-18 satellite. (Reuters)
Quick Take
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It is capable of lifting 25 tonnes, was to launch China's mission to Moon
The first Long March-5 rocket was launched by China in November 2016
It uses environmentally friendly fuel rather than highly toxic propellant
Last year, Long March-5 had successfully made its maiden flight in Wenchang.
Long March-5 Y2 rocket, which weighs 879 tonnes, is capable of lifting 25 tonnes into a low earth orbit and a 14 tonne class of communications satellite. The heavy weight rocket was due to carry the heaviest Shijian-18 satellite and was to launch China's next mission to the Moon.
China's ambitious Long March-5 Y2 is one of the most powerful rockets in the world.
The Long March 5's maiden test flight last year had launched Shijian 17. One of the key features of this heavy weight rocket is that it uses environmentally friendly fuel, including kerosene, liquid hydrogen, and liquid oxygen, rather than highly toxic propellants.
The launch of the Long March-5 Y2 was attempted from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre's in Hainan.
India recently successfully launched its heaviest rocket till date the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MK III, dubbed 'Baahubali', a rocket capable of carrying 4 tonne class of communications satellites.
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