At 14: 42 on August 6, 2024, the Long March 6A Yaogan-21 launch vehicle successfully launched the Qianfan Polar Orbit 01 satellite group into the predetermined orbit at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, signaling a complete success of the launch mission. 

The Long March 6A launch vehicle, which implemented this launch mission, is a new generation medium-lift launch vehicle with solid-fuel and liquid propellant developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, with a payload capacity of no less than 4.5 tons for deploying satellites into a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. With a modular, combined, and series development approach, various configurations can be developed for the launch vehicle through adjustments of boosters in the future to meet the diverse and intensive launch requirements of satellites. 

With a focus on the requirement for “further deepening reform in an all-round way”, the development team of the Long March 6A launch vehicle has proactively taken action and assumed responsibility to drive technological innovation and improve management capabilities. The launch mission has three notable features: First, the second sub-stage power system adopts the dual ignition system for the first time, which further improves the launch vehicle’s carrying capacity; second, this mission marks the first commercial launch mission for the Long March 6A launch vehicle. The model team accelerated its adaptation to the commercial launch model and employed the method of rolling batch production for general products, which has significantly improved the contract performance capability for the delivery of launch vehicles; third, this mission is the first launch mission of the Long March 6A to deploy 18 satellites in a single launch. To utilize the space inside the fairing more efficiently and effectively, the satellites are arranged in a stacked form. After the launch vehicle is on the orbit, it rotates at a certain angular velocity to ensure the highly precise and reliable separation of multiple satellites. 

As the main medium-lift launch vehicle in China, the Long March 6A is currently in a high-density launch phase. In March 2022, the Long March 6A made its first launch. Just two years later, its intensive launch capability has already reached a level comparable to that of the currently operational launch vehicles. In response to the intensive launch missions this year, the model team has made preparations proactively, including optimizing the launch process, improving the testing efficiency, shortening the recovery cycle, and optimizing job assignments, and provided comprehensive support in terms of technology, management, resources, and personnel to ensure the timely and planned execution of the year’s launch missions.

This launch mission is the 7^th launch of the Long March 6A launch vehicle, the 214^th flight test of the Long March series of launch vehicles developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, and the 530^th launch of China’s Long March series of launch vehicles.