China launches Chang Zheng 7A rocket on its Return To Flight mission
March 11, 2021
China has successfully launched the second Chang Zheng 7A (CZ-7A) rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on Hainan Island, thus recovering from the first failed launch that took place almost one year ago. Carrying the mysterious Shiyan 9/Xinjishu Yanzheng-6-02 satellite, liftoff took place at 17:51 UTC on 11 March from the LC-201 launch complex.
The Chang Zheng 7A represents a new step in replacing the older families of hypergolic fuelled launchers that have been the workhorse of the Chinese space program since its inception in the 1960s.
December 22, 2020
China debuted the new Long March-8 – Chang Zheng-8 – launch vehicle out of Wenchang on Tuesday. This vehicle marks China’s move towards a reusable launch vehicle, with the recovery of the first stage and side boosters planned for a latter variant.
Loaded with a cargo of satellites, the first (Y1) Long March-8 (LM-8) was successfully launched at 04:00 UTC from the LC201 Launch Complex at the Wenchang Space Launch Center.
The LM-8 is developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), and its development aims to meet the demand for economical, medium-lift, high-frequency commercial missions.
The new launcher was first referenced in 2017. However, it was redesigned to feature recovery of its first stage and strap-on boosters. It is 50.34 meters high, with a diameter of 3.35 meters. Launch mass is 356,000 kg.