At 16:40 on June 1, the Long March 12B carrier rocket lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Site, successfully deploying the tenth batch of Qianfan Constellation networking satellites into their designated orbits. The maiden flight mission was a complete success, marking the addition of another high-capacity commercial rocket to China's large-scale internet constellation deployment efforts.
Developed by China Commercial Rocket Company, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the Long March 12B is a new-generation 4-meter-class reusable launch vehicle tailored for commercial missions including China's massive internet constellation projects. No recovery test was conducted during this flight; a first-stage recovery test will be scheduled for a future mission.
The Eighth Academy of CASC was responsible for the overall design of dynamics, thermal environments, and reliability, the development of structure, control, and ground test-and-launch control subsystems, as well as the supply of single-machine units for structure, control, pressurization/feed, measurement, and power supply/distribution subsystems. The Academy also oversaw rocket assembly and testing. To ensure the success of the maiden flight, the Eighth Academy implemented design re-verification and re-calculation processes, along with expert panel technical support and other mission-assurance measures.
This launch marks the 647th flight of the Long March series carrier rockets.