On January 19th at 15:48, China successfully launched a group of low-orbit satellites for its satellite internet constellation from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site using a Long March 12 carrier rocket. The satellites entered their planned orbit, marking the complete success of the launch mission.
Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site
The Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, located on China’s Hainan Island, is the country’s first and only commercial spaceport. It began operations in 2024, designed specifically to support the growing private launch sector with its low-latitude coastal location providing a fuel-efficiency advantage for launching satellites. The site represents a strategic shift in China’s space industry, opening a new era of commercial spaceflight and international cooperation.
