China has successfully conducted its first launch from a commercial spaceport.
The first launch of the Long March 12 rocket took place successfully from the Wenchang commercial spaceport in Hainan Province. The rocket successfully deployed two experimental satellites into their designated orbits.
2024-12-03 10:01:42https://naked-science.ru/community/1011906
“Changzheng-12” is the first Chinese rocket with a diameter of 3.8 meters. According to SAST, it can deliver a payload of 12,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit and 6,000 kilograms to sun-synchronous orbit. This new rocket is expected to play a crucial role in the development of megaconstellations for China's satellite internet.
The launch of “Changzheng-12” also marked the inaugural flight utilizing the new YF-100K rocket engine. The YF-100K is an enhanced version of the YF-100 engines used in China's new generation rockets, including “Changzheng-5, 6, 7, and 8.”
Specifically, the YF-100K will be employed in the first stages of “Changzheng-10,” which aims to send Chinese astronauts to the Moon by the end of this decade.