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Wed, March 12, 2025
Tue, March 11, 2025

Long March 8 launches Thousand Sails satellites from commercial spaceport


Published on 2025-03-11 15:22:30 - SpaceNews
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  • A new group of 18 satellites entered orbit Tuesday for the Thousand Sails constellation with the first launch from a new commercial launch pad. A Long March 8 rocket lifted off at 12:38

The Long March 8 rocket successfully launched from the Hainan commercial spaceport in China, deploying 22 satellites into orbit, including the Thousand Sails satellites. This launch marked the first use of the Long March 8 from this new commercial site, which is part of China's efforts to expand its commercial space activities. The satellites included in this mission were primarily for remote sensing, technology demonstration, and experimental purposes. The Thousand Sails project, aimed at demonstrating satellite internet technology, was a significant component of the payload, showcasing China's ambitions in the global satellite internet market. The launch not only signifies the operational readiness of the new spaceport but also highlights the growing capabilities and commercial focus of China's space industry.

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[ https://spacenews.com/long-march-8-launches-thousand-sails-satellites-from-commercial-spaceport/ ]