Long March 8A | Unknown Payload
Pad: Commercial LC-1 · Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
Details TBD.
Orbital Launch Vehicle
Photo: Orbit Deck Space Catalog
Long March 8A | Unknown Payload Live Coverage
Official Webcast Feed Scheduled
Live broadcast embeds typically go live 15 to 20 minutes prior to launch window liftoff. Check the official China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation channels or Spaceflight Now for live feeds.
🛰️ Mission Orbital & Environment Matrix
- Target Orbit
- N/A
- Target Altitude
- 550 km
- Inclination
- 53.2°
- Weather Violation Risk
- 10%
- Primary Payload
- Unknown Payload
- Launch Window
- Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 01:24 PM UTC – 01:49 PM UTC
♻️ Hardware Reusability & Recovery Matrix
- Booster Core
- Flight Proven Core
- Flight Count
- Operational Flight
- Recovery Strategy
- Autonomous Drone Ship (ASDS)
- Fairing Recovery
- Flight Proven
- Landing Vessel / Zone
- Designated Drone Ship (ASDS)
- Vehicle Architecture
- Long March 8A Technical Specs & Flight Geometry →
⏱️ Operational Timeline Milestones & Staging Sequence
Target T-0: 2026-09-23Terminal Count
T-00:15:00Autonomous launch sequence start
Auto Sequence
T-00:03:00Flight computer assumes control
Liftoff
T-00:00:00Stage 1 main engine ignition & liftoff
MECO & Stage Sep
T+00:02:40Main engine cut-off and stage separation
Stage 1 Landing
T+00:08:30Booster touchdown on recovery vessel / zone
Payload Deploy
T+00:45:00Spacecraft insertion into target orbit
Commercial LC-1
Mahia Launch Facility · Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
Rocket Lab LC-1 Mahia Peninsula Cliff
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 perched high above the South Pacific Ocean cliffs on the east coast of New Zealand.
Photo Credit: Rocket Lab / Rodney AllenLocated on the scenic cliffs of New Zealand's North Island, LC-1 is the world's only private orbital spaceport licensed to launch every 72 hours. With unobstructed ocean paths to low Earth orbit and sun-synchronous inclinations, it offers superior orbital flexibility.