Long March 12 Carrier Rocket Successfully Launches Low-orbiting Satellites for Satellite Internet

At 10:41 am on November 10, 2025, the Long March 12 Carrier Rocket was ignited and lifted off from the Hainan Commercial Aerospace Launch Site, successfully sending the 13^th group of low-orbiting satellites for the satellite internet into the destination orbit. The launch mission was a complete success.

The Long March 12 Carrier Rocket is a new-generation cryogenic liquid launch vehicle developed under the overall management of Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). The rocket is also China's first single-core-stage launch vehicle with 4-meter-diameter, with payload capacity of no less than 12 tons for low Earth orbit (LEO) and payload capacity of no less than 6 tons for deploying satellites into a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). It can be configured with 4.2-meter or 5.2-meter diameter fairings subject to specific mission requirements and supports the launch of single or multiple satellites to different orbits.

This mission also marked the Long March 12 Carrier Rocket’s first "zero-window" launch. To further enhance the mission adaptability of the rocket, SAST systematically reviewed various launch site processes and optimized the pre-launch procedures. Thanks to the standardized timing devices that ensure clock synchronization, a precise, time-driven automated control of the pre-launch electrical processes has been achieved, thus improving launch precision and laying a solid foundation for the precise orbital insertion of the satellites. Furthermore, SAST conducted thorough reviews and improvements for contingency plans, conducted risk identification for the "zero-window" launch and outlining corresponding control measures to ensure the absolute success of the launch mission.

In response to the rainy weather conditions throughout the mission, SAST conducted thorough risk identification, made advanced plans, and implemented comprehensive control measures. A range of waterproof and moisture-proof measures were implemented, while multiple rounds of cross-inspections were carried out on key products and critical components. For key procedures such as the transfer of the satellite-fairing assembly, specific operation timeframes were defined and detailed protection requirements were refined. When faced with typhoon warnings, SAST responded promptly and made orderly arrangements. SAST fully embodied the spirit of perseverance and hard work, striving to save time and improve efficiency while strictly ensuring quality. All work in the technical area of the launch site was completed ahead of schedule, and the transfer operation was successfully finished before the typhoon's arrival. This not only ensured the mission stayed on schedule but also demonstrated SAST's strong capability of efficient collaboration in facing challenges, thus laying a solid safety foundation for the successful completion of the launch.

This marks the 3^rd launch of the Long March 12 Carrier Rocket, the 250^th of the Long March series carrier rockets under the overall leadership of SAST, and the 607^th of the Long March series carrier rockets.