Successful Inaugural Launch of China’s new Long March 8A rocket

This morning at 17:30 Beijing time (09:30 UTC), The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) successfully launched its new Long March 8A carrier rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in China.

The rocket successfully deployed the second group of satellites for the SatNet LEO (Guowang) constellation, marking the 30th orbital launch of 2025 and China’s seventh launch this year.

The Long March 8A carrier rocket lifts off from Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site. Credits: Weibo/ 空天逐梦 — *Long March 8A carrier rocket lifts off from Wenchang SLC. Credits: 空天逐梦*

The Guowang mega-constellation will provide global satellite communication from LEO orbit and is expected to feature 13,000 spacecraft.

A new member of the Long March family

The Long March 8A represents the latest evolution in China’s medium-lift launch vehicle series. Standing 50.5 meters tall and with a liftoff mass of 371 tonnes, this rocket has been specifically designed to serve the growing commercial and constellation satellite launch market.

*Long March 8A on the launch pad. Credits: Yuan Chen/China Daily*

Its most distinctive feature is the enlarged second stage, measuring 3.35 meters in diameter and powered by two new YF-75H engines, an enhanced version of the proven YF-75D engine with increased thrust capabilities.

The new launch vehicle offers significantly improved performance compared to its predecessor. It has a liftoff thrust of approximately 480 tonnes and can deliver up to 7 tonnes to a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.

Launch site innovation

The launch took place from Wenchang’s LC-2 complex, although the rocket is also compatible with the new commercial platform dedicated to the Long March 8 series. This operational flexibility represents a significant logistical advantage for future commercial launches. The site required specific modifications to accommodate the new enlarged second stage and wider payload fairing.

The upgraded launch complex at Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Center. Credits:杨昊王京天章力凡 — *The upgraded launch complex at Wenchang SLC. Credits:杨昊王京天章力凡*

Timeline and launch

The Long March 8A’s development was completed in just three years, a record time compared to previous Chinese programs. Following a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) in late 2024, the launch was initially scheduled for January 25, 2025. On February 9, the rocket was transferred to the launch pad, culminating in this morning’s successful ascent that delivered its payload to the intended orbit.

This inaugural launch, the 559th of the Long March series, marks a significant step forward in China’s commercial launch capabilities, offering an efficient and cost-effective solution for space access.