← All launches
Launch SuccessfulChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Long March 8A: SatNet LEO Group 18

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.

Tuesday, 13 January 202615:25 UTC
Long March 8A: SatNet LEO Group 18

Mission Data

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
🇨🇳China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationEst. 1999
Launch VehicleLong March 8A
Vehicle FamilyLong March
Vehicle Record12 of 12 launches (100%)
Provider TypeGovernment
Agency Record606 successes / 16 failures (97%)
Success Streak13 consecutive
Mission TypeCommunications
Target OrbitLow Earth Orbit
Launch PadCommercial LC-1
Location🇨🇳 Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China CHN
Orbital Launches This Year#8
Agency Launches This Year#2
Launches From This Pad15
Launches From This Site76
Status Note

The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).

About Long March 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.

Launch updates

  1. Launch success.

    Source ↗
  2. Liftoff.

  3. Tweaked launch window per new NOTAMs.

    Source ↗
  4. Added launch per NOTAMs; payload identities uncertain.

    Source ↗

Launch Site

Commercial LC-1 · 19.5973°N 110.9308°E

Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.