Space contractor gears up for first launches of new rockets

Written by Copernical Team Sunday, 17 November 2024 03:48

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Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 16, 2024

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), the country's primary space contractor, is preparing for the inaugural flights of two new carrier rocket models in the coming months. Ma Tao, deputy head of spacecraft operations at CASC, announced that the first launch of the Long March 8A is planned for January 2025 at the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center in Wench

Space contractor gears up for first launches of new rockets
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 16, 2024

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), the country's primary space contractor, is preparing for the inaugural flights of two new carrier rocket models in the coming months.

Ma Tao, deputy head of spacecraft operations at CASC, announced that the first launch of the Long March 8A is planned for January 2025 at the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan province. The Long March 12 is also expected to make its debut at the same facility within weeks.

These initial flights will signify the start of operations at the newly established launch complex, Ma emphasized.

"The Long March 8A is an addition to the Long March 8 series, designed primarily for satellite launches aimed at forming large-scale low-Earth orbit networks. The Long March 12 stands out as the first Chinese rocket with a 3.8-meter diameter and will be the most powerful single-body rocket in the nation," Ma stated.

According to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a Beijing-based CASC subsidiary, the Long March 8A will have two payload fairing options, measuring 4.2 meters and 5.2 meters in diameter. It can carry a total payload of 7 metric tons to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers. The rocket promises strong performance, operational reliability, and cost-effective launch capabilities.

The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, another CASC subsidiary responsible for developing the Long March 12, described the rocket as over 60 meters in height, with the capability to transport at least 12 tons of payload to low-Earth orbit or 6 tons to a sun-synchronous orbit at 700 kilometers.

The Long March 12 incorporates advanced technologies, offering high reliability and versatile applications. This model is set to enhance China's ability to send payloads to sun-synchronous orbits and support the deployment of multi-satellite networks in low-Earth orbit, as noted by the Shanghai academy.