According to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the state-owned enterprise overseeing the mission, the rocket lifted off at 12:38 a.m. from the spaceport's No. 1 launchpad. This event marks the inaugural use of the pad, which has been specifically designed for launches involving the Long March 8 rocket series.
Following a brief ascent, the rocket successfully deployed 18 Spacesail satellites into their designated orbit. The deployment contributes to the expansion of the Spacesail Constellation, a broadband satellite network previously known as the G60 network. To date, 90 satellites have been launched for this constellation, which aims to provide high-speed and reliable broadband internet services worldwide. The network is projected to accommodate over 10,000 satellites by 2030, according to its operator based in Shanghai.
This launch follows the complex's initial operational activity in November 2024, when the No. 2 launchpad facilitated the maiden flight of the Long March 12 rocket model. The Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center, China's first spaceport designed exclusively for commercial operations, is a joint venture between the Hainan provincial government and three state-owned space enterprises. It stands as the country's fifth ground-based launch facility and the first to be administered by a local government.
The No. 1 launchpad was completed in December 2023, while the No. 2 pad was finalized in June 2024. Prior to this latest mission, the initial four groups of Spacesail satellites-each containing 18 identical units-were launched between August 2024 and January 2025 using Long March 6A rockets from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province.
The Long March 8 rocket, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, features a two-stage core structure with two side boosters. It is equipped with six engines fueled by liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen, and kerosene. Measuring 50.3 meters in height and 3.35 meters in diameter, the rocket has a liftoff weight of 356 metric tons and generates nearly 480 tons of thrust. It is capable of carrying payloads of up to 7.6 tons into low-Earth orbit.
Xiao Yun, project manager for the Long March 8, emphasized that several more launches of the model are planned this year to further expand the internet satellite network. "Having a dedicated launchpad will significantly reduce prelaunch preparation time and enhance operational efficiency," he stated.
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