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Watch the Launch

SpaceSail Polar Group #1

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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 • Aug. 6, 2024, 8:46 a.m.

Launch success.


Cosmic_Penguin • Aug. 5, 2024, 2:20 p.m.

Refined launch window per new NOTAMs.


Cosmic_Penguin • July 30, 2024, 7:22 a.m.

Added launch via NOTAMs; Payload and launch vehicle identities highly uncertain.


Long March 6A

Family:
Configuration: A

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
    A
  • 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: 599 Failures: 16 Pending: 9

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
SpaceNews

Brightness of first Chinese broadband constellation satellites alarms astronomers

The first satellites of a Chinese broadband constellation are significantly brighter than those of Western systems, posing a new challenge for astronomers.

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Chinese rocket stage breaks up into cloud of more than 700 pieces of space debris

HELSINKI — A Chinese Long March 6A rocket’s upper stage has fragmented into a cloud of over 700 pieces of space debris, adding to concerns about long-term orbital safety. China […]

The Launch Pad

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Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Launch Complex 9A


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