Long March 8 rocket lifts 5 satellites in debut flight

With a liftoff weight of 356 metric tons, it is capable of sending payloads weighing 4.5 tons to a sun-synchronous orbit 700 km above the ground or satellites with a combined weight of 2.8 tons to a geostationary transfer orbit, according to the academy.

The Long March 8 is capable of transporting various spacecraft to multiple types of orbits ranging from low-Earth orbit to transfer trajectories to other celestial bodies in the solar system. However, its main task is to place satellites in a sun-synchronous orbit to meet surging demand for launch services from commercial satellite companies at home and abroad, according to designers.

In China and many Western nations, an increasing number of newly founded private companies have started to design and build satellites, generating huge demand for commercial launch services. Many of these privately made satellites are set to operate in a sun-synchronous orbit.

In addition to the Wenchang launch facility, the rocket can also be fired at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern Gobi Desert.