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What is the history
China is reportedly preparing to unveil several new Long March rockets this year, expanding its space launch capabilities.
China Aerospace Science and Technology (CASC), a state-owned space and defense agency, will oversee the test flights of these rockets through two major rocket manufacturing academies.
The CASC aims to launch around 100 missions in 2024, 70 carried out by the CASC itself and the rest by commercial launch service providers in the country.
The Long March 6C will carry 2,000 kg of payload
Among the new rockets is Long March 6C, a variant of Long March 6A, China’s only rocket that uses a liquid propellant core along with solid-fuel side boosters.
It is scheduled to launch from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China, scheduled for sometime in the first half of 2024.
With a length of approximately 43 meters, the Long March 6C is equipped with three liquid oxygen and kerosene engines.
It is designed for launch missions with payloads of up to 2,000 kilograms.
The Long March 12 can support up to 10,000 kg.
Preparations are also underway for a more powerful Long March 12 rocket.
This model is capable of transporting up to 10,000 kilograms of payloads to low Earth orbit (LEO) or 6,000 kilograms to Sun-synchronous orbits.
It will be China’s first launch vehicle with a diameter of 3.8 meters, facilitating land transportation by rail.
Long March 12 will lift off this year from a commercial launch facility near China’s coastal Wenchang spaceport.
Modified March 8 long and more
CASC also plans to launch a modified version of its new Long March 8 rocket this year.
The rocket will be used for multi-satellite, commercial and ride-sharing missions, and will launch from the Wenchang commercial spaceport.
The CASC is also working on the Long March 9 and Long March 10 super-heavy rockets for larger space infrastructure and manned lunar missions, respectively.