At 2:30 on September 6, 2024, the Long March 6 lifted off from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, successfully delivering 10 satellites from the Geely Constellation Group 03 into their designated orbits in a single launch. The launch mission was a complete success.

The Long March 6 is a three-stage low-temperature liquid-propellant launch vehicle developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) as the leading role. It is capable of launching diverse types of satellites into various orbits, accommodating both single and multiple satellite missions.

To meet the envelope requirements of this 10-satellite mission, the launch vehicle employed a three-layer side-mounted satellite configuration, optimizing the use of the fairing space. Proper separation sequence planning and multiple separation simulation verifications ensured the safe and reliable deployment of all 10 satellites. Additionally, comprehensive mating tests on the satellites and launch vehicle were conducted under real conditions before launch to confirm interface compatibility and operational readiness, laying the groundwork for efficient mating at the launch site.

This mission marked the heaviest payload launched by the Long March 6 to date. The launch vehicle's payload capacity was enhanced further through optimized flight trajectory design and weight reduction of the satellite separation mechanism, so as to meet mission requirements.

As China's first liquid-propellant launch vehicle to adopt the “three-horizontal” testing and launch model, the Long March 6 has persisted in improvement and optimization on the basis of its first integrated transportation and erection system. This mission introduced a newly developed second integrated transportation and erection system, enhancing operational efficiency and environmental compatibility while incorporating redundancy and testability designs in critical components. This resulted in a remarkable two-thirds reduction in mating, erection, and launch setup times, significantly enhancing launch site efficiency.

To guarantee design integrity and controlled processes for a successful mission, the team undertook quality reassessment of the design and products of this mission with an “empty-cup mentality”. Following corporate guidelines, they carried out thorough reviews of assembled components, process materials, and attachments. For the new integrated transportation and erection system, they performed analyses of event chains, risk factors, and interface compatibility, and refined launch site testing protocols and contingency plans in comparison to the schematic diagram and workflow, in order to ensure smooth launch site operations.

At the launch site, the team focused on the launch vehicle's characteristics of "three-horizontal" testing and launch model and independent launch capabilities, conducting specific checks on onboard and ground equipment for rain and lightning protection. They strictly implemented measures at each stage, standardized launch site operations, and established new protocols for pipeline and electrical connections. Through “plan in advance, control in process” and “precise execution, refine management,” all launch site operations were successfully carried out, ensuring the mission's success.

This mission marks the 12th launch of the Long March 6, the 217th launch of the Long March series of launch vehicles developed by SAST as the leading role, and the 534th launch of China’s Long March launch vehicle family.