China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationGO
Long March 8A | Unknown Payload
Pad: Commercial LC-1 · Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
Details TBD.
Mission StatusUTC / SYNCED
MISSION WINDOW CONCLUDED
Long March 8A
LiftoffLong March 5 Y4 Launching Tianwen-1 to Mars
Photo: CNSA / Our Space
Get Alerted for Long March 8A | Unknown Payload
Receive an email alert 1 hour prior to liftoff with live webcast links.
Official Live Launch Webcast
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.
Host: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Flight OpsWindow: Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:50:00 GMT
Status: GO
🛰️ 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
- Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 02:50 AM UTC – 03:15 AM UTC
🚀 Vehicle Architecture & Stage Configuration
- Architecture Type
- Single-Use Expendable
- Recovery Strategy
- None (Ocean Trajectory)
- Core Propulsion
- Liquid Cryogenic / Staged
- Upper Stage
- High-Energy Re-ignitable
- Fairing Shroud
- Standard Aerodynamic Shroud (Direct Jettison)
- Vehicle Architecture
- Long March 8A Propulsion & Staging Specs →
⏱️ Operational Timeline Milestones & Staging Sequence
Target T-0: 2026-10-22Terminal 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
Launch Complex & Spaceport
Commercial LC-1
Mahia Launch Facility · Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
Pad Aerial
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.
Operator
Rocket Lab
Elevation
105 meters (ASL)
Azimuth Range
39°
Flight History
50+ Dedicated SmallSat Flights
Key Pad Facilities & Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
Dual Launch Pads (Pad A & Pad B)Twin launch mounts allowing simultaneous vehicle integration and rapid turnaround cadence.
Cleanroom Payload Processing FacilityISO 8 cleanrooms for satellite fueling, integration, and fairing encapsulation.
Vehicle Integration BuildingHangar facility where 18-meter carbon-composite Electron boosters undergo final avionics checkouts.