Long March 8 set for Launch at Hainan Commercial Space Center

Long March 8 set for Launch at Hainan Commercial Space Center
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 03, 2024

Preparations are underway for the second mission of the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center, with the Long March 8 carrier rocket set for launch. Liu Hongjian, the center's general manager, announced the rocket's arrival at the spaceport and the ongoing prelaunch activities during a news conference on Saturday.

The Long March 8 is scheduled for liftoff from the No. 1 launch pad before the end of the year. This marks a significant step for the center, a collaborative venture between the Hainan provincial government and three state-owned space enterprises, including the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC).

Construction of the spaceport began in July 2022 under the leadership of China Aerospace Construction Group. Its first launch tower, completed in December 2023, specializes in supporting Long March 8 rockets, while the second tower, finalized in June, accommodates a broader range of 19 liquid-propellant rocket models. These include other Long March rockets and privately developed designs.

On Saturday, the No. 2 tower hosted its inaugural mission with the launch of the Long March 12 rocket, which marked its maiden flight and the first mission from the commercial spaceport.

"The No. 2 tower is designed to handle rockets of various sizes, from those with a 3.35-meter diameter to larger 5-meter-wide models," said Liu. "It ensures compatibility with all commercial rockets in China. Each tower can support up to 16 launches annually."

The Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center is China's first facility dedicated to commercial space missions. Unlike the government-run Wenchang Space Launch Center and other state-administered facilities like Jiuquan, Taiyuan, and Xichang, the Hainan center caters to missions funded by private businesses rather than government programs.

The Long March 8, designed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, is equipped with two core stages and twin side boosters powered by liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen, and kerosene. The model first flew in December 2020 from the Wenchang Space Launch Center. It is optimized for delivering satellites to sun-synchronous orbit, catering to increasing demand from domestic and international commercial satellite operators.