At 12:30 on September 10, 2023, at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, the Long March 6A launch vehicle precisely sent Yaogan-40 satellite to the preset orbit, signifying a complete success of launch mission.

The Long March 6A launch vehicle that carried out this launch mission was developed by SAST of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It is a new generation of medium-lift launch vehicle with solid-fuel and liquid propellant. It boasts a payload capacity of no less than 4 tons for deploying satellites into a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. This launch vehicle adopts a modular, combined, and series development approach, allowing for versatile configurations in the future by adjusting its boosters. Consequently, it can cater to the diverse and intensive launch requirements of upcoming satellites.

In March 2022, the maiden flight of the Long March 6A launch vehicle achieved a resounding success. Just in November of the same year, the Long March 6A launch vehicle was launched successfully again, making it the first and new generation launch vehicle in China to be deployed for operational launches within its debut year. Now, after a hiatus of 10 months, the Long March 6A launch vehicle embarks on a new mission. Setting it apart from its previous endeavors, this mission marks the pioneering use of a three-satellite conjunction, resulting in a towering height of nearly 55 meters - a significant increase of over 5 meters compared to the two earlier launches.

To ensure a safe and seamless transportation process, the Long March 6A test team meticulously discussed and analyzed the procedures for coordinating the operations between the satellite system and the launch site system upon arrival. They introduced a novel approach of utilizing two satellite transfers and designed a specialized protective cover. This cover ensures that the temperature, humidity, and cleanliness within the interval cabin consistently meet the satellite’s specifications throughout the entire transportation period.

Innovative solutions have been actively explored to improve the adaptability of Long March 6A launch vehicle, a new addition to the Long March launch vehicle family, for launch missions. While ensuring comprehensive test coverage, workflow at the launch site is also optimized to further shorten the launch preparation period. Additionally, a quality-focused approach consisting of “7 key tasks + 7 reconfirmation tasks” has been employed. This approach strengthens the responsibilities of each system, clarifies work priorities and control elements, and ensures thorough communication, meticulous processes, standardized operations, detailed analysis, and comprehensive contingency plans. These collective efforts effectively contribute to valuable experience of and strengthen the foundation for future intensive launch missions.

The remote sensing satellite Yaogan-40, sent into the space this time, was collaboratively developed by DFH Satellite Co., Ltd, subordinated to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

This mission marks the third launch of the Long March 6A launch vehicle and the 195th flight test of the Long March series of launch vehicles developed by SAST. Additionally, it signifies the 487th launch of China’s Long March launch vehicle family.