On August 4, China launched a Long March-12 carrier rocket, sending a group of internet satellites into space.
The rocket lifted off at 6:21 p.m. from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in the southern island province of Hainan. It successfully placed the payloads, the seventh group of low-orbit internet satellites, into preset orbit.
China launched a Long March-12 carrier rocket on August 4, sending a group of internet satellites into space. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The Long March-12 carrier rocket, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, is a two-stage, environmentally friendly, and low-temperature liquid-fueled rocket. The rocket is designed with a carrying capacity of no less than 12 tons in low Earth orbit and 6 tons in 700 km sun-synchronous orbit. It is capable of launching single or multiple satellites and can accommodate satellite fairings with diameters of either 5.2 meters or 4.2 meters depending on mission requirements.
This launch marks the second successful mission for the Long March-12 carrier rocket, following its inaugural flight on November 30, 2024. The current mission utilized a “one rocket, multiple satellites” deployment mode. To ensure efficient satellite placement, proper spacing, and secure interfaces, the experimental team employed a newly developed composite material multi-satellite adapter. In addition, to improve launch capacity and mission adaptability, the team conducted weight-reduction optimizations. By using composite materials, components such as the satellite adapter and support cabin achieved a weight reduction of 5 percent to 10 percent, while still maintaining the necessary strength.
During the mission, the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site experienced high temperatures and strong UV radiation. To protect the satellite, the team boosted air conditioning airflow, developed reflective protective covers, and optimized rocket-ground air conditioning connections, ensuring the satellite’s safety inside the fairing.
The launch marked the 587th mission of the Long March series carrier rockets.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
