Long March 8: SpaceSail Polar Group #12
18 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites with Ku, Q and V band payloads for the G60 constellation operated by Shanghai Spacesail Technologies with funding backed by the Shanghai local government. Initial constellation will consist of 1296 satellites by 2027 with long term plans to expand it to 12000 satellites.
Mission Data
The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).
About Long March 8
Long March 8 (Chinese: 长征八号运载火箭) is an orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology to launch up to 5000 kg to a 700 km altitude Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The rocket is based on the Long March 7 with its first stage and 2 out of its 4 boosters, along with the existing liquid hydrogen burning 3rd stage of the Long March 3A/3B/3C and 7A as its 2nd stage. A "Core Only" version omitting the boosters is also available.
Launch updates
Launch success.
Source ↗Liftoff.
Unofficial Re-stream by ThatSpaceDogeGuy has started
Updated payload identity per payload stack spotting on site.
Source ↗Tweaked launch window per new NOTAMs.
Source ↗Added launch per NOTAMs; Payload identity uncertain, probably with SpaceSail Polar Orbit LEO communication satellites.
Source ↗
Launch Site
Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.