Long March 8A | SatNet LEO Group 28

Mission Status

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

Mission Updates

Oct 25, 03:55 AM Cosmic_Penguin

Launch success.

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Oct 25, 02:11 AM Cosmic_Penguin

Liftoff.

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Oct 25, 12:50 AM LL2

Unofficial Webcast by International Rocket Launches has started

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Oct 20, 12:35 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Delayed to October 25 per new NOTAMs.

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Oct 16, 11:48 AM Cosmic_Penguin

Refined launch window per new NOTAMs.

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Oct 15, 09:06 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Added launch per NOTAMs; Payload and launch vehicle identities uncertain.

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Mission Details

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.

Mission Type Communications
Orbit Low Earth Orbit
Launch Window 01:42 AM - 02:32 AM

Rocket Configuration

Name Long March 8A
Manufacturer China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Height 50.5 m
Diameter 3.35 m
Maiden Flight 2025-02-11
Success Rate 12/12 (100%)

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.