China has achieved a significant milestone in its space program with the successful inaugural flight of the Long March 12B carrier rocket. Launching from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the rocket completed its mission by entering the intended orbit and deploying the 10th batch of Spacesail Constellation communication satellites.
The Long March 12B, standing at approximately 72 meters tall, is currently the most powerful single-body rocket in China. This two-stage launch vehicle is fueled by 10 liquid oxygen and kerosene engines, generating roughly 800 metric tons of thrust during liftoff. It boasts the capability to transport more than 20 tons of payload into low-Earth orbit, marking a substantial advancement in China’s space capabilities.
Development of the Long March 12B began in September 2024, incorporating cutting-edge technologies aimed at enhancing performance and efficiency. The rocket features high-performance propulsion components, lightweight construction, optimized fuel management systems, and autonomous flight-control software designed to handle any in-flight anomalies. The engineering team is now focusing on future tests to potentially recover and reuse the rocket’s first-stage booster, with hopes that a reusable version could be operational in the coming years.
The mission also contributed to the expansion of the Spacesail Constellation, a network of low-Earth-orbit satellites intended to deliver high-speed broadband internet services globally. With this latest launch, over 160 satellites have been deployed as part of the project, which plans to have more than 10,000 satellites in orbit by 2030.
This successful launch marks another step forward for China’s burgeoning commercial space sector, underscoring its ambitions to broaden global satellite internet coverage and solidifying its position as a key player in space technology.