China launches internet satellites with upgraded Long March-8A rocket
In a move reflecting the accelerating pace of the global space race, China announced the successful launch of its upgraded Long March-8A carrier rocket from the launch site in Hainan province, in the south of the country. This mission sends the fourteenth batch of internet satellites into space, bolstering Beijing's ambitions to build a comprehensive satellite communications network to rival major international companies.
Advanced technical specifications and enormous carrying capacities
The Long March-8A rocket, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, boasts superior engineering specifications. Measuring 50.5 meters in length and with a liftoff weight of 371 tons, this model is designed to serve as the backbone for future commercial launches. It is capable of carrying payloads of up to 7 tons to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers. The rocket has already successfully placed its target payloads—low-Earth orbit internet satellites—into their designated positions with high precision, demonstrating the effectiveness of China's guidance and control systems.
Fuel innovation: relying on coal instead of oil
Perhaps the most significant aspect of this mission, according to Xinhua News Agency, is the strategic shift in the type of fuel used. This flight marked the first time in the Long March-8A series that conventional petroleum-based rocket fuel was replaced with coal-based rocket fuel as the primary propellant. This shift carries profound economic and strategic implications for China, as the country seeks to enhance the energy security of its space program by utilizing its abundant coal resources and reducing reliance on petroleum products, thus ensuring more sustainable launches at a lower cost and with greater efficiency.
The context of international competition and the importance of satellite internet
This event cannot be viewed in isolation from the heated international context surrounding control of low Earth orbit (LEO). China, by intensifying its internet satellite launches, aims to build a massive constellation of satellites (megaconstellations) to provide high-speed internet services and cover remote areas, directly competing with similar Western projects like Starlink. This technology is vital for the future, enabling fast and reliable communications that support the digital economy, the Internet of Things, and both military and civilian communications.
A long history of the Longmarsh chain
This mission marks the fifth flight of the Long March-8A rocket and represents a significant milestone as it is the 612th launch for the renowned Long March series of rockets, which form the backbone of China's space program. The rocket successfully completed its maiden flight in February of this year, immediately entering a high-intensity launch mode, indicating China's readiness to conduct rapid, sequential missions to meet the growing demand for placing satellites into various orbits.
