Long March 6C | Maiden Flight
Launch Successful
L - -- : -- : -- : --
Launch Window
May 7, 2024, 3:13 a.m. - May 7, 2024, 3:55 a.m.
May 7, 2024, 3:13 a.m. - May 7, 2024, 3:55 a.m.
Carried 4 Earth observation satellites to orbit: * Haiwangxing-01, 239 kg X-band SAR satellite built by SAST for Zhihui Space Tech * Zhixing-1C, X-band radar sat for Smart Satellite Technology * 2 unidentified optical Earth observation satellites
Launch success.
Adding launch per NOTAMs; Payload and launch vehicle identities extremely uncertain.
The Long March 6C 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 6A, with its solid rocket boosters deleted, with 2 YF-100 engines on the first stage and 1 YF-115 engine on the second stage.
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
This week was expected to see the maiden launches of two new spacecraft: Boeing’s crewed Starliner spacecraft and the first Chang Zheng 6C rocket from China.
The new Long March 6C rocket successfully inserted four satellites into orbit late Monday on its debut flight.
A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
2 satellites built by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) for testing operations of Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellites f…
3 Chinese satellites reported to be for "orbital technological testing" purposes. Actual usage not known.
A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.
Sentinel-1D carries an advanced radar technology to provide an all-weather, day-and-night supply of imagery of Earth’s surface as part of the Sentine…
Classified Earth observation satellite officially reported as for "national resources/hydrology/meteorology surveying & disaster management" purposes.
Communications Satellite for the Indian Navy, replacing GSAT-7 for secure real-time links between Indian warships, submarines, aircraft, and shore-ba…
Dedicated rideshare flight to a mid-inclination orbit with dozens of small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers.