At 7 a.m. Beijing Time on Friday, a Long March-12 rocket soared into the skies from the Chinese mainland’s commercial launch site in Hainan Province, carrying the 16th batch of low-Earth orbit (LEO) internet satellites.
This mission marks another leap forward in the race to build out a robust space-based internet network, tapping into the surging demand for global connectivity. The Long March-12, crafted by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, is designed as a commercial workhorse—able to haul at least 12 tonnes of payload into LEO.
What sets this rocket apart is its horizontal assembly, testing, and transport system. By rolling through each phase on a level plane, engineers have slashed turnaround times between launches—an innovation that fuels the high-frequency schedule required by satellite constellations.
This launch was the fourth flight for the Long March-12 model and the 616th for the broader Long March series. For this mission, teams shaved weight and streamlined operations, squeezing out efficiency gains without compromising reliability.
Looking ahead, the Long March-12 is scheduled to conduct multiple LEO missions over the next five years, underscoring the Chinese mainland’s commitment to securing its place in the satellite internet megaconstellation era.
Reference(s):
China launches internet satellites on efficient Long March-12 rocket
cgtn.com
