Launches / Long March 6A

Past launch Launched successfully

SpaceSail Polar Group #6

Long March 6A, flown by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Long March 6A lifting off with the SpaceSail Polar Group #6 mission
Image via The Space Devs.

This was China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's 47th launch of 2025, and its 548th in all.

Counting every operator, it was the 239th orbital launch attempt anywhere in 2025, and the ninth from Launch Complex 9A.

Launched
Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, 7:08 a.m. UTC
Window
Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, 6:59 to 7:19 a.m. UTC
Launch site
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China
Rocket
Long March 6A
Operator
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Watch the webcast →

The mission

18 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites with Ku, Q and V band payloads for the G60 constellation operated by Shanghai Spacesail Technologies with funding backed by the Shanghai local government. Initial constellation will consist of 1296 satellites by 2027 with long term plans to expand it to 12000 satellites.

Type
Communications
Destination
Polar orbit

The rocket

The Long March 6A is a Chinese launch vehicle of the Long March family, which was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). The vehicle is a further development of the Long March 6, with 2 YF-100 engines on the first stage as opposed to 1 on the Long March 6, augmented by 4 solid rocket boosters. The Long March 6A is China's first rocket with solid rocket boosters. The maiden launch of the Long March 6A took place 29 March 2022, successfully reaching orbit. It was also the first launch from the newly built launch complex 9A in Taiyuan.

Height
50 m
Built by
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
First flew
March 29, 2022
Diameter
3.4 m
View 3 specifications Show less
Mass at liftoff
530 t
Thrust at liftoff
7,230 kN
Stages
1 to 2

26 flights, 26 of them successful.

Wikipedia →

The operator

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

Sector
Government
Based in
China
Founded
1999
Run by
Lei Fanpei, Chairman & President

612 launches so far, 596 of them successful. The last 3 in a row went to plan.

english.spacechina.com → Wikipedia →

The launch site

It went up from Launch Complex 9A at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China.

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