China’s Long March-8 rocket successfully launches 18 satellites from new launch pad

On March 12, China’s Long March-8 carrier rocket was successfully launched from Launch Pad 1 at the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, marking a significant milestone in the country’s space endeavours. 

The rocket deployed 18 satellites, completing the fifth batch of Qianfan Constellation satellites and successfully inserting them into their designated orbits, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), the Long March-8 mission was the first to take place from Launch Pad 1, which has been under development for 18 months. The launch is not only a key step in China’s growing commercial space capabilities but also a vital component in the nation’s satellite network strategy.

Both launch pads at the Hainan site are now operational, making it China’s first commercial spaceport equipped for a variety of launch needs. The Long March-8 rocket, which has already had several successful launches from the Wenchang Space Launch Site, is designed for medium-lift missions and is ideal for deploying satellite constellations. The rocket’s modular design offers flexible configurations, making it perfect for sun-synchronous and low-Earth orbit constellations. CALT, which is affiliated with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), hailed the success of the launch as a pivotal moment in China’s space industry. 

"The commissioning of the dedicated launch pad marks a new phase in the market-oriented services of the Long March-8 rocket," said Xiao Yun, chief commander of the Long March-8 series at CALT. The new pad’s efficiency is expected to significantly shorten mission cycles, allowing for more frequent and reliable launches. 

The launch also added 18 satellites to the Qianfan Constellation, which now has 90 satellites in orbit, offering global users enhanced broadband internet services with lower latency and higher capacity. This successful mission underscores China’s continued progress in expanding its space ambitions, with the Long March rocket family having now completed 563 flights.

Earlier, similar groups of 18 satellites were launched on August 6 and October 15, 2024, December 5, 2024, and January 23, 2025.

Satellite networks like Starlink and Qianfan have sparked debates due to concerns about the potential overcrowding of low Earth orbit and the risk of space debris accumulating after the end of their operational lifespan.

By Naila Huseynova