China has successfully launched the CZ-8A (Long March-8A) launch vehicle from the commercial site of the Wenchang Cosmodrome in the southern province of Hainan. A group of Internet satellites has reached a predetermined low-Earth orbit, and the mission has been declared successful, China Central Television reported.
The CZ-8A rocket is a two—stage, hydrogen-oxygen-fueled rocket with a length of 50.5 m and a fairing diameter of 5.2 m. It is capable of delivering up to 9.8 tons of cargo to low Earth orbit, and 3.5 tons to geostationary transition orbit. The launch was part of China's program to create satellite Internet clusters that should provide broadband access to the network on a global level.
Beijing is actively developing its space program, creating meteorological, telecommunication and navigation satellites, as well as technologies for exploring the Moon, asteroids and Mars. The Chinese space station is operating in orbit, open for international cooperation. In 2025, China carried out a record 92 space launches.
