The Chinese mainland has reached a significant milestone in its space endeavors with the successful launch of the Long March-12 carrier rocket from the newly established Hainan commercial space launch site on Saturday night. This inaugural flight, which deployed test satellites into orbit, marks a pivotal moment for China's burgeoning commercial space sector.
Remarkably, the Hainan launch site was constructed and became operational in just 878 days. The first launch presented numerous challenges, including the integration of a new launch pad, a novel rocket, updated operational procedures, and a dedicated new team.
For this debut launch, a remote firing control system was employed. Ground control equipment was centralized in the main control building, while launch commands were managed from the second control hall, ensuring precision and reliability.
The second launch pad, responsible for the first mission, is China's first general-purpose medium-sized liquid launch pad. It is versatile enough to accommodate nearly 20 different types of rockets, with diameters ranging from 3.35 to 5 meters.
Featuring a \"three-flat\" rapid processing approach—horizontal assembly, testing, and transportation—the pad enables highly efficient launch operations. Impressively, the rocket transfer pad can be prepared for a subsequent launch in as little as three days and restored to its pre-launch state within seven days.
The Long March-12 carrier rocket stands out as China's first 4-meter-diameter liquid-fueled launch vehicle. With a two-stage configuration, it measures approximately 62 meters in length and has a launch mass of about 430 tonnes. It boasts a low-earth orbit payload capacity of no less than 12 tonnes and a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit payload capacity of no less than 6 tonnes, making it the most powerful two-stage single-core rocket developed by China.
The versatility of the Long March-12 is further enhanced by its ability to accommodate satellite fairings with diameters of 5.2 meters or 4.2 meters. This adaptability supports the launch of single or multiple satellites into various orbits, tailored to specific mission requirements.
Reference(s):
China's first commercial launch site debut with maiden flight of LM 12
cgtn.com
