China has achieved a major milestone in its commercial space goals with the launch of its most recent Long March-12 rocket from the recently created Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site. On November 30, 2024, two experimental satellites were launched into orbit. According to Chinese state media, the 62.6-meter rocket is built to accommodate an increasing number of commercial satellite launches.

Important Aspects of Long March 12

The two-stage Long March-12 rocket reportedly replaces outdated hypergolic propellants with liquid hydrogen and modern kerosene fuels. The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology claims that the vehicle can carry six tons to a sun-synchronous orbit at 700 kilometers or ten tons to low-Earth orbit. The rocket’s automatic ignition-malfunction detection system, which performs real-time inspections and computes alternate trajectories in the event of anomalies, guarantees safer launches, according to Xie Li, Senior Designer of Long March-12.

The rocket’s design allows for four engines for increased fuel storage and payload capability, and it has a diameter of 3.8 meters.

Wenchang Commercial Spaceport’s Significance

According to reports, the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site, which was built for $553 million, is ideally situated on Hainan Island close to the equator, enabling higher payload capacities and lower fuel usage. Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. will run the spaceport, which can accommodate up to 16 launches per pad per year.

Large rockets can be transported by sea more easily due to the coastal location, and reusable rocket stages can be recovered from the South China Sea more effectively. China’s ambitions for commercial megaconstellations, such as the Qianfan and Guowang satellite networks, are anticipated to heavily rely on the location.