en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Long March 6A carrier rocket successfully launched the Satellite Internet Low-Orbit Group 21 satellites. According to official information from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), at 3:38 Beijing Time on April 9, 2026, the rocket lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The satellites separated as planned and entered their predetermined orbits, marking a complete success for the launch mission. This launch was the 637th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
The Long March 6A is China's first medium-lift launch vehicle to use a liquid core stage bundled with four solid boosters. It was developed under the overall management of the Eighth Academy of CASC. The rocket has a total length of approximately 50 meters, a liftoff mass of about 530 tons, and a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) payload capacity of no less than 4.5 tons at an altitude of 700 kilometers. The solid boosters, developed by the Fourth Academy of CASC, utilize segment docking technology, with a single booster providing a thrust of around 120 tons. For this mission, the rocket conducted its first launch from Launch Pad No. 9 at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. This pad underwent adaptive modifications in 2025, enabling rapid testing and launch capabilities for solid-boosted rockets.
The low-orbit satellite internet constellation is a crucial component of China's new infrastructure development. Previously, 20 groups of low-orbit satellites were launched using rockets such as the Long March 2C, Long March 6, and Long March 6A, with a cumulative total of over 250 satellites successfully placed into orbit. The Group 21 satellites launched this time were developed under the overall management of the Institute of Telecommunication and Navigation Satellites at the Fifth Academy of CASC. They feature a flat-panel configuration, are equipped with Ka-band user link and inter-satellite laser link payloads, and each satellite weighs approximately 200 kilograms. After entering orbit, the satellites will undergo in-orbit testing before being phased into constellation operation and service according to plan.
The construction of the low-orbit satellite internet constellation has entered a phase of large-scale deployment. According to public information, 10 dedicated launches for this constellation were completed throughout 2025, with the planned launch frequency for 2026 increased to 15-18 times. In terms of rocket production capacity, the carrier rocket final assembly and testing facility operated by CASC's Eighth Academy in Minhang, Shanghai, became operational in December 2025, increasing the annual production capacity of the Long March 6A rocket from 4 to 8 units. Regarding satellite production, the Tianjin satellite production line has achieved a production rate of over one satellite per day on average, while satellite "super factories" in Nantong and Chongqing are currently in the equipment installation and commissioning phase.
This launch also marks the 6th space launch mission of 2026 for the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. As one of China's four major space launch sites, the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center possesses multi-directional and multi-orbit launch capabilities and has undertaken the vast majority of China's sun-synchronous and polar orbit satellite launch missions in recent years. Launch Pad No. 9 at the center is compatible with multiple launch vehicle models including the Long March 6, Long March 6A, and Long March 8A, further enhancing the comprehensive utilization efficiency of the launch site. This article is compiled by Wedoany. AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". Please contact us promptly regarding any infringement or other issues, and the site will make modifications or deletions accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
