Long March‑8A Places New Batch of Low‑Orbit Internet Satellites into Orbit

According to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the Long March‑8A carrier rocket lifted off from Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site at 21:32 on 23 September. 

It delivered the 26th batch of low‑orbit satellites for China’s satellite‑based internet constellation into its pre‑designated orbit, marking full success for the launch mission.

This set of low‑orbit internet satellites was developed by the Fifth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The Long March‑8A rocket came out of development work led by the First Academy of the same group. 

It is an independently‑developed two‑and‑a‑half‑stage liquid‑fuelled launch vehicle. Its first‑stage core adopts a 3.35‑metre‑diameter liquid‑oxygen‑kerosene module, while the second‑stage core is built as a 3.35‑metre‑diameter liquid‑hydrogen‑liquid‑oxygen module. 

Two liquid‑fuel boosters are strapped to the core body, together with a 5.2‑metre‑diameter payload fairing. 

The configuration satisfies launch requirements for constellation deployment across medium‑and‑low‑Earth orbits.

This flight counts as the 669th launch conducted by the complete Long March family of Chinese carrier rockets.