Watch the Launch

SatNet LEO Group 02 (Demo Flight)

Overview

Destination: Low Earth Orbit
Mission: Communications

Low Earth Orbit 201 Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

Demonstration flight of the Long March 8A rocket with upgraded first stage and boosters engines, and a new larger liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen second stage with new YF-75H engines derived from ones used on the Long March 5. Payload is a batch of 9 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group. The constellation will eventually consists of 13000 satellites.

Updates

Cosmic_Penguin • Feb. 11, 2025, 11:28 a.m.

Launch success.


Cosmic_Penguin • Feb. 11, 2025, 9:30 a.m.

Liftoff.


LL2 • Feb. 11, 2025, 7:43 a.m.

Unofficial Webcast by International Rocket Launches has started


Cosmic_Penguin • Feb. 7, 2025, 9:20 a.m.

Tweaked launch window per new NOTAMs.


Cosmic_Penguin • Jan. 24, 2025, 9:36 a.m.

Delayed to NET February 11 per new NOTAMs.


Long March 8A

Family:
Configuration: 8A

The Long March 8A is an orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology based on the Long March 8. It has an increased capability of up to 7 tonnes to a 700 km altitude sun-synchronous orbit. It implements a larger 3.35 meters diameter liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen 2nd stage, coupled with 2 upgraded version of the YF-75D engines used on the Long March 5 (known as the YF-75H) with increased thrust to 10 tonnes each through measures such as increased turbopump speeds. The Long March 8A can also use a larger 5.2 meters diameter payload fairing.

Specifications
  • Stages
    2
  • Length
    50.5 m
  • Diameter
    3.35 m
  • Fairing Diameter
    5.2 m
  • Launch Mass
    371.0 T
  • Thrust
    4800.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Long March 8A
  • Family
  • Variant
    8A
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Long March 8A
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
    9800.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
    3500.0 kg
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity
    7000.0 kg

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

(CASC)

Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei Founded: 1999 Successes: 512 Failures: 14 Pending: 7

Agency Type:

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

INFO WIKI

Related News

NASASpaceflight

Chang Zheng 8A launches as Chinese spaceport expansions begin

Chinese spaceflight activities have been on pause in recent weeks due to the annual Spring… The post Chang Zheng 8A launches as Chinese spaceport expansions begin appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

NASASpaceflight

Launch Roundup: Starlink and CZ-8A launches planned; Falcon booster to land in Bahamas

China will be conducting the debut flight of an upgraded version of the Chang Zheng… The post Launch Roundup: Starlink and CZ-8A launches planned; Falcon booster to land in Bahamas appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

SpaceNews

First launch of Long March 8A sends second group of Guowang megaconstellation satellites into orbit

HELSINKI — China conducted the first launch of the Long March 8A early Tuesday, carrying a second batch of satellites into orbit for the national Guowang project. The first Long […] The post First launch of Long March 8A sends second grou…

NASASpaceflight

China Roundup: Chang Zheng 8A set for debut, Chinese hopper flies 75 km high-altitude test

China’s Chang Zheng 8A rocket is set for its maiden flight from the Hainan commercial… The post China Roundup: Chang Zheng 8A set for debut, Chinese hopper flies 75 km high-altitude test appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

201


Falcon 9
Success
6 hours, 8 minutes ago
Starlink Group 11-18
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 27 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


New Shepard
Success
12 hours, 39 minutes ago
NS-32
West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch - Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA

NS-32 is the 12th crewed flight for the New Shepard program and the 32nd in its history.


Falcon 9
Success
1 day, 8 hours ago
GPS III SV08
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Eighth of ten GPS III missions.


Long March 4B
Success
2 days, 22 hours ago
Shijian 26
Launch Area 4 (SLS-2 / 603) - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Chinese experimental satellite claimed to be for "Earth observation & environmental management" purposes, details not known.


Long March 3
Success
3 days, 8 hours ago
Tianwen-2
Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) - Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Tianwen-2 is a planned Chinese asteroid sample return and comet orbiter mission due for launch in May 2025. The spacecraft will visit the Near Earth …


Falcon 9
Success
3 days, 12 hours ago
Starlink Group 10-32
Launch Complex 39A - Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

A batch of 27 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Starship
Failure
4 days, 2 hours ago
Flight 9
Orbital Launch Mount A - SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA

9th test flight of the two-stage Starship launch vehicle.


Falcon 9
Success
4 days, 9 hours ago
Starlink Group 17-1
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Falcon 9
Success
1 week ago
Starlink Group 12-22
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Falcon 9
Success
1 week, 1 day ago
Starlink Group 11-16
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 27 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.