Long March 12 set for inaugural launch from Hainan space center

Written by Copernical Team Thursday, 28 November 2024 12:10

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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 27, 2024

China's Long March 12 carrier rocket is preparing for its debut flight, marking a significant milestone as the first launch from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center. This facility, located in Wenchang, Hainan province, is China's first spaceport dedicated solely to commercial operations. The rocket was transported to the No. 2 launch service tower at the space compl

Long March 12 set for inaugural launch from Hainan space center
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 27, 2024

China's Long March 12 carrier rocket is preparing for its debut flight, marking a significant milestone as the first launch from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center. This facility, located in Wenchang, Hainan province, is China's first spaceport dedicated solely to commercial operations.

The rocket was transported to the No. 2 launch service tower at the space complex on Tuesday morning, according to the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, the developer of the Long March 12. The academy stated that the maiden flight would take place in the near future.

As the first Chinese rocket with a 3.8-meter diameter, the Long March 12 offers increased capacity compared to the standard 3.35-meter-wide rockets. This broader design allows it to carry more propellant, enhancing its payload capabilities. The two-stage rocket stands over 60 meters tall and is powered by six liquid oxygen-kerosene engines. It can transport up to 10 metric tons to a low-Earth orbit or 6 metric tons to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers.

The Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center is a collaborative project by the Hainan provincial government and three major State-owned enterprises: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, and China Satellite Network Group.

Construction on the center began in July 2022, led by China Aerospace Construction Group. Its No. 1 launch service tower, completed in late December, is primarily used for Long March 8 rockets. The second tower, finished in June, is versatile, capable of accommodating more than 10 types of liquid-propellant rockets from both the Long March series and private developers.

When fully operational, the spaceport will become China's fifth ground-based launch complex and the first dedicated to commercial missions, which are typically funded by private businesses rather than government agencies.