China Long March-8A Rocket Launches New Internet Satellites from Hainan

China Long March-8A Rocket Launches New Internet Satellites from Hainan

China launched a Long March-8A carrier rocket on Friday, March 13, 2026, in the southern island province of Hainan, sending a new group of Internet satellites into space. The rocket lifted off at 03:48 from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. It successfully placed the payloads, the 20th group of low-orbit Internet satellites, into preset orbit.

The Long March-8A carrier rocket, designed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), represents a significant upgrade to the Long March-8 series. It successfully conducted its maiden flight on Feb. 11, 2025.

The rocket, 50.5 meters long with a takeoff weight of 371 tonnes, is capable of carrying up to seven tonnes to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 km. It is designed specifically for high-density, rapid constellation deployment, serving as a core vehicle for China's satellite Internet constellation construction.

So far, it has successfully completed eight missions. About 15 launch missions have been scheduled for the Long March 8 series rockets this year, involving the Long March 8A and Long March 8 rockets.

As a new-generation medium-lift liquid-fueled carrier rocket, the Long March 8 series rockets have become the mainstay for China's low-to-medium orbit satellite launches since its maiden flight, thanks to its modular design, high cost-effectiveness, and rapid response capabilities.

Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd., or HICAL, is a Chinese state-owned company that operates the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site, China's first commercial spaceport. Established in 2022, HICAL is the first commercially incorporated company in China to independently own and manage a spaceport.

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 47 seconds
Release Date: March 13, 2026

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