Long March 8A | SatNet LEO Group 02 (Demo Flight)

Long March 8A launched the SatNet LEO Group 02 (Demo Flight) mission for China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China on Feb 11, 2025 (UTC).

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Launch pad

201 · Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

Launched Feb 11, 2025 6:30:00 PMSuccess

10 objects in orbit now

Flight direction

43° NE

measured from the launched orbit · inclination 50.0°

Flight path

First-stage drop zone (rough estimate)

Drawn 400–700 km downrange along the flight direction. Official hazard areas are published as NOTAMs and navigational warnings.

About the mission

Demonstration flight of the Long March 8A rocket with upgraded first stage and boosters engines, and a new larger liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen second stage with new YF-75H engines derived from ones used on the Long March 5. Payload is a batch of 9 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group. The constellation will eventually consists of 13000 satellites.

Mission description from Launch Library 2.

Objects from this launch still in orbit

Launch time (your time zone): Tue, Feb 11 · 6:30:00 PM
Status: Success
Launch provider: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Rocket: Long March 8A
Mission type: Communications
Target orbit: LEO
Launch pad: 201 · Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China