Long March 8 | SpaceSail Polar Group #7
Launch Successful
L - -- : -- : -- : --
Launch Window
April 7, 2026, 1:24 p.m. - April 7, 2026, 1:47 p.m.
April 7, 2026, 1:24 p.m. - April 7, 2026, 1:47 p.m.
18 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites with Ku, Q and V band payloads for the G60 constellation operated by Shanghai Spacesail Technologies 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.
Launch success.
Liftoff.
Updated launch window per new NOTAMs.
Added launch per NOTAMs; Payload identity uncertain, probably with SpaceSail Polar LEO communication satellites.
Long March 8 (Chinese: 长征八号运载火箭) is an orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology to launch up to 5000 kg to a 700 km altitude Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The rocket is based on the Long March 7 with its first stage and 2 out of its 4 boosters, along with the existing liquid hydrogen burning 3rd stage of the Long March 3A/3B/3C and 7A as its 2nd stage. A "Core Only" version omitting the boosters is also available.
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
CAS Space and Space Pioneer have both debuted new Chinese commercial launchers within days of… The post China debuts new launchers, tests orbital servicing and outlines future deep-space missions appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
China carried out separate Long March 8 and Long March 6A launches this week, adding new batches of satellites to the country’s megaconstellation projects. The post China conducts pair of Long March launches for Thousand Sails and Guowang…
As NASA’s Artemis II mission reaches its halfway point, the launch manifest on Earth continues… The post Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to loft Cygnus to ISS, Minotaur IV to launch from California appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
2 hyper-spectral Earth observation satellites from Chinese company STAR.VISION. Both satellites are built in corporation with foreign customers: *…
A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
A batch of 9 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group.…
A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office.
2 Chinese classified satellites claimed to be for communication technology test purposes. Actual mission not known.
Tianlian is a Chinese data tracking and relay communications geostationary satellite series. The TL-3 (Tian Lian 3) satellites are the 3rd generation…
A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
13th test flight of the two-stage Starship launch vehicle. Second flight of Starship V3. For the first time, Starship will carry 20 V3 Starlink sa…
Share-ride of 5 commercial Earth observation and technology demonstration satellites to SSO, including SpaceTY's TY-48. Details TBD.