On May 6, at 11:21 Beijing time (May 7, 03:21 UTC), the first launch of the Long March 6C rocket took place from the Taiyuan Cosmodrome in northern China. The launch vehicle’s manufacturer, Shanghai Academy of Space Technology (SAST), confirmed the successful completion of the mission an hour after launch. SAST is a major institute of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the country’s main state space contractor.

There were four satellites on the rocket. The main payload was Haiwangxing-1, aka Neptune-1, a 239-kilogram experimental X-band radar satellite. Neptune-1 was built by SAST for Zhihui Space Tech. The company plans to launch 12 satellites to form the Neptune group.

Other satellites included Zhixing 1C, another aperture radar satellite, this time for the Beijing-based Intelligent Satellite. The other two vehicles are defined as wide-view optical satellites and high-resolution video imaging satellites. The mission was to use the Long March 6C rocket to launch several satellites from different customers.

The new 43-meter-long rocket is the latest in a series of next-generation launch vehicles developed by SAST and part of the Long March 6 family, with the Long March 6C resembling a shortened version of the 50-meter Long March 6A. the latter’s four solid-fuel rocket boosters. The rocket is capable of launching a payload of approximately 2,400 kg into a sun-synchronous orbit. Long March 6A can carry 4,500 kg to an altitude of 700 km. These options provide greater flexibility in choosing orbital parameters.

Long March 6C isn’t the only new SAST launch vehicle. The academy also plans to unveil the 3.8-meter Long March 12 at the new launch pad in Wenchang this year. It is capable of launching 10 tons into low Earth orbit or 6 tons into a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.

The rockets are part of a new generation of Chinese launch vehicles that use kerosene and liquid oxygen. However, the limited number of spaceports capable of providing these launches has slowed the pace of renewal of aging Velikiy Pohid rockets.

In addition to the above, there are also larger but not yet finalized plans. The academy plans to unveil a 4.0-meter diameter rocket powered by methane-liquid-oxygen engines in the next few years.

A SAST promotional video released after the launch shows the Long March 6A and 6C, along with two other rocket models. Both future models will have return and reuse landing gear, all things considered. The specific purpose of these missiles is still unclear.

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), headquartered in Beijing, is another part of CASC in missile design and production. CALT is developing a new Long March 10 reusable rocket for human spaceflight. One of the options will be designed to send taikonauts and the landing complex to the moon. Long March 10 in return mode will slow down in retrograde motion.

China is not content with the development of reusable launch vehicles by state-owned companies. Commercial space launch service providers are also actively working on reusable rockets.

One such project is Space Pioneer’s Tianlong-3, which promises to be as powerful as the Falcon 9 rocket and is scheduled to launch soon. Landspace is developing its own Zhuque-3 stainless steel rocket in Jiuquan, while iSpace is working on the Hyperbola-3 rocket powered by methane and liquid oxygen. Some of these companies have also conducted experimental trials with SAST and its large subsidiary CASIC.

The first attempt at an orbital launch could be the launch of Deep Blue Aerospace’s Nebula-1 light company in the second half of the year. Another company, Galactic Energy, is working on its first rocket powered by kerosene and liquid oxygen, called Pallas-1. The first launch, planned for the end of the year, is expected to be primarily experimental.