Long March 8A | SatNet LEO Group 18
Launch Successful
L - -- : -- : -- : --
Launch Window
Jan. 13, 2026, 3:17 p.m. - Jan. 13, 2026, 3:42 p.m.
Jan. 13, 2026, 3:17 p.m. - Jan. 13, 2026, 3:42 p.m.
A batch of 9 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group. The constellation will eventually consists of 13000 satellites.
Launch success.
Liftoff.
Tweaked launch window per new NOTAMs.
Added launch per NOTAMs; payload identities uncertain.
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.
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
China conducted a pair of Long March rocket launches Tuesday, kicking off what is likely to be a record-breaking year for the country. The post China’s first launches of 2026 send Yaogan spacecraft into unusual orbit, loft Guowang satelli…
Eight orbital launch attempts are scheduled for this week, with SpaceX and Chinese launches comprising… The post Launch Preview: Launches from China, U.S., and Norway scheduled for upcoming week appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
18 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites with Ku, Q and V band payloads for the G60 constellation operated by Shanghai Spacesail Technologies with…
STP-S29A is a mission under the U.S. Department of Defense's Space Test Program (STP) that will deliver technology demonstrations to orbit and contri…
A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access, thi…
Note: Payload identity uncertain. Meridian is a series of communications satellite for military and civilian use.
First test launch of Space Pioneer’s Tianlong-3 rocket.
A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
Artemis II is the first crewed mission as part of the Artemis program. Artemis II will send a crew of 4 - 3 Americans and 1 Canadian around the moon …
A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
Dedicated rideshare flight to a sun-synchronous orbit with dozens of small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers.