On CNSA –China National Space Administration …. ChangZheng Long March 12 flight rocket …. At Hainan Commercial Space Launch Center. Wenchang, Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China At 0700 morning Beijing time….. December26 2025 the Long March 8A carrier rocket ignited and lifted off from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, successfully sending 17 satellites for the low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite into their predetermined orbits. This launch was the sixth of its kind for the Long March8A rocket and the 616th launch of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
At 7:26 AM Beijing time on December 26, 2025, China successfully launched 17 satellites for its satellite internet network into their predetermined orbits using a Long March-8A Y6 carrier rocket from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site. This mission marked the 620th launch of the Long March series carrier rockets.
During this mission, while ensuring mission reliability and safety, the launch team systematically optimized the vertical measurement and control (VMS) procedures at the launch site. Through parallel testing and streamlined testing processes, the launch process was shortened by eight days, significantly improving launch efficiency.
Furthermore, this mission focused on user needs, further adjusting the rocket’s onboard configuration, maximizing its carrying capacity, significantly increasing the satellites’ orbital altitude, shortening the distance between the satellite insertion point and the target orbit, and effectively reducing satellite fuel consumption.
Inside the VMS facility, the second VMS platform was completed and installed in just over two months, revealing its brand-new appearance. Currently, the new vertical measurement platform is ready for use. Once the ground testing equipment is in place, it will enable parallel testing of two rockets, further increasing the launch frequency and raising the annual launch volume from 10 to 20 launches, better meeting the future high-density launch requirements of the rocket model.
The process optimization plan has passed review. In the Long March 8A Y6 rocket mission, the vertical measurement area process was shortened from 17 days to 9 days. The next mission will implement launch area process optimization.
Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration
