Long March 8A | SpaceSail Polar Group TBD
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Mission Status
Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Mission Updates
Confirmed planning for launch on July 5.
Source →Delayed due to launch site weather (also updated possible payload based on https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=65317.msg2800982#msg2800982).
Source →Refined launch window and updated launch vehicle identity per on-site sightings.
Source →Added launch per NOTAMs; Payload and launch vehicle identities uncertain.
Source →Mission Details
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.
Rocket Configuration
The Long March 8A is an orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology based on the Long March 8. It has an increased capability of up to 7 tonnes to a 700 km altitude sun-synchronous orbit. It implements a larger 3.35 meters diameter liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen 2nd stage, coupled with 2 upgraded version of the YF-75D engines used on the Long March 5 (known as the YF-75H) with increased thrust to 10 tonnes each through measures such as increased turbopump speeds. The Long March 8A can also use a larger 5.2 meters diameter payload fairing.