China launches satellite internet low-orbit group 27 on Long March 12 rocket
In short
China launched the satellite internet low-orbit group 27 satellites at 03:27 on Oct. 10 from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site on a Long March 12 rocket, Xinhua reported. The satellites entered their planned orbit and the mission was declared a complete success.
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China launched the satellite internet low-orbit group 27 satellites at 03:27 on Oct. 10, using a Long March 12 rocket from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site, according to a Xinhua dispatch datelined Wenchang, Hainan. The satellites entered their planned orbit, and the launch mission was declared a complete success. CLS and IT Home, the latter citing CCTV News, reported the same details. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
IT Home added that on Sept. 23, China used a Long March 8A rocket at the same Hainan site to launch the satellite internet low-orbit group 26 satellites, which also entered their planned orbit. The reports did not say how many satellites group 27 contained. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The launch adds another group to China's satellite internet low-orbit series. IT Home noted that group 26 was launched from the same site on Sept. 23, using a Long March 8A rocket.
Key facts
- The launch took place at 03:27 local time on Oct. 10. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The rocket was a Long March 12 (长征十二号). [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The launch site was the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site (海南商业航天发射场). [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The payload was the satellite internet low-orbit group 27 satellites. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The satellites entered their planned orbit and the mission was declared a complete success. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- On Sept. 23, group 26 of the satellite internet low-orbit satellites was launched from the same site on a Long March 8A (长征八号甲) rocket, according to IT Home. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- China launched the satellite internet low-orbit group 27 satellites on Oct. 10. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The launch was at 03:27 from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site on a Long March 12 rocket. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The satellites entered their planned orbit and the mission was a complete success. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- How many satellites were in group 27 and who operates them. None of the documents give the number of satellites or name an operator.
- The Sept. 23 launch of group 26 on a Long March 8A rocket. Reported only by IT Home.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Long March 12 lifts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site carrying the satellite internet low-orbit group 27 satellites. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- CLS reports the successful launch. [ 1 ]
- Xinhua publishes its dispatch from Wenchang, Hainan. [ 2 ]
- IT Home reports the launch, citing CCTV News. [ 4 ]