China launches Long March 12 rocket days after Long March 7A explosion

China launched a Long March 12 rocket carrying SatNet LEO Group 24 satellites from Wenchang. The mission keeps its launch plans on track as investigators examine the recent Long March 7A failure.The Long March 12 Y8 mission lifted off from the commercial launch complex at the Wenchang Space Launch Site. (Photo: X)China has successfully launched a Long March 12 rocket carrying the SatNet LEO Group 24 satellites, just six days after a Long March 7A rocket exploded during ascent in a rare setback for the country's rapidly expanding space program.The Long March 12 Y8 mission lifted off from the commercial launch complex at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan at 04:10 UTC on August 16, placing a new batch of low-Earth orbit satellites into space.The successful mission comes at a crucial time for China's space sector, which is investigating the failure of a Long March 7A rocket that exploded approximately 85 seconds after liftoff on August 10.The failed mission was carrying the ChinaSat-4B communications satellite and marked only the second failure for the Long March 7A vehicle since its debut in 2020. While both rockets belong to China's Long March family, they are designed for different missions.The Long March 7A is a heavier rocket optimised for launching satellites into higher orbits, including geostationary transfer orbit. It features a cryogenic upper stage powered by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, making it suitable for communications satellites and deep-space missions. The Long March 12, by contrast, is a newer medium-lift rocket developed primarily for deploying satellites into low-Earth orbit. It is a two-stage vehicle powered by kerosene and liquid oxygen engines and is increasingly being used to build China's massive SatNet internet constellation, a planned network of thousands of broadband satellites intended to rival systems such as SpaceX's Starlink.Because the two rockets use different designs, propulsion systems and mission profiles, analysts say the Long March 7A failure is unlikely to directly affect Long March 12 operations.The latest successful launch demonstrates China's determination to maintain its aggressive launch schedule despite the recent accident.China is aiming for a record number of launches this year as it expands its satellite internet networks, supports its space station and advances preparations for future lunar missions.- EndsPublished By: Sibu Kumar TripathiPublished On: Aug 16, 2026 15:55 IST