Watch the Launch

G60 Polar Group 03

Circle Image

Overview

Destination: Polar Orbit
Mission: Communications

Polar Orbit Launch Complex 9A Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

18 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites with Ku, Q and V band payloads for the G60 constellation operated by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) with funding backed by the Shanghai local government. Initial constellation will consist of 1296 satellites by 2027 with long term plans to expand it to 12000 satellites.

Updates

Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 5, 2024, 6:40 a.m.

Launch success.


Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 4, 2024, 1:36 p.m.

Rescheduled for December 5 per NOTAMs.


Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 2, 2024, 7:03 a.m.

Possible launch scrub, awaiting new information.


Cosmic_Penguin • Nov. 26, 2024, 8:19 a.m.

Adding launch per NOTAMs; Payload and launch vehicle identities uncertain (possibly CZ-6A launch with a batch of G60 Low Earth Orbit communication constellation satellites).


Long March 6A

Family:
Configuration:

The Long March 6A is a Chinese launch vehicle of the Long March family, which was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). The vehicle is a further development of the Long March 6, with 2 YF-100 engines on the first stage as opposed to 1 on the Long March 6, augmented by 4 solid rocket boosters. The Long March 6A is China's first rocket with solid rocket boosters. The maiden launch of the Long March 6A took place 29 March 2022, successfully reaching orbit. It was also the first launch from the newly built launch complex 9A in Taiyuan.

Specifications
  • Minimum Stage
    1
  • Max Stage
    2
  • Length
    50.0 m
  • Diameter
    3.35 m
  • Fairing Diameter
    5.2 m
  • Launch Mass
    530.0 T
  • Thrust
    7230.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Long March 6A
  • Family
  • Variant
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Long March 6A
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity
    6400.0 kg

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

(CASC)

Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei Founded: 1999 Successes: 519 Failures: 14 Pending: 4

Agency Type:

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

INFO WIKI

Related News

NASASpaceflight

Chang Zheng 12, ZhuQue-2E fly maiden missions; Hainan spaceport and mega constellations expand

In late November, two new Chinese rockets took their maiden flights within four days of… The post Chang Zheng 12, ZhuQue-2E fly maiden missions; Hainan spaceport and mega constellations expand appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

SpaceNews

Long March 6A launches third batch of Thousand Sails constellation satellites

HELSINKI — China launched the third batch of 18 satellites for the Thousand Sails constellation late Tuesday as the firm behind the project aims for global services in 2025. A […] The post Long March 6A launches third batch of Thousand Sa…

NASASpaceflight

Launch Roundup: Sentinel 1C and PROBA 3 among ten planned launches

This week is set to be a busy one in the world of spaceflight, with… The post Launch Roundup: Sentinel 1C and PROBA 3 among ten planned launches appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Launch Complex 9A


Long March 12
In Flight
1 hour, 37 minutes ago
SatNet LEO Group TBD?
Commercial LC-2 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

A batch of Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group. …


Falcon 9
Success
4 hours ago
Starlink Group 10-30
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


New Shepard
Success
23 hours, 15 minutes ago
NS-34
West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch - Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA

NS-33 is the 14th crewed flight for the New Shepard program and the 34th in its history.


Falcon 9
Success
2 days, 20 hours ago
Crew-11
Launch Complex 39A - Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

SpaceX Crew-11 is the eleventh crewed operational flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station as part of NASA's Commercial …


Falcon 9
Success
3 days, 17 hours ago
Starlink Group 13-4
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 19 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Kuaizhou
Success
4 days, 9 hours ago
PRSC-S1
Mobile Launcher Pad - Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Chinese built Earth observation satellite for Pakistan’s SUPARCO (Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission).


GSLV Mk II
Success
4 days, 23 hours ago
NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar)
Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad - Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, or NISAR satellite, will use advanced radar imaging to map the elevation of Earth's land and ice masses 4 to …


Long March 8A
Success
5 days, 4 hours ago
SatNet LEO Group 06
Commercial LC-1 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

A batch of 9 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group.…


Falcon 9
Success
5 days, 8 hours ago
Starlink Group 10-29
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Eris-1
Failure
5 days, 13 hours ago
Maiden Flight
Eris Pad - Bowen Orbital Spaceport

Maiden flight of Gilmour Space's orbital launch vehicle Eris.