China's first commercial launch site debut with maiden flight of Long March-12

China's new Long March-12 carrier rocket successfully launched from the Hainan commercial space launch site on Saturday night, sending test satellites into orbit. This inaugural launch marked a significant milestone for China's space program, particularly in the commercial sector.

The Hainan commercial space launch site was built and operational in just 878 days. This first launch posed significant challenges as it involved a new launch pad, a new rocket, new operational procedures, and a new team.

The inaugural launch adopted a remote firing control system. Ground control equipment was centralized in the control building, while launch commands were issued from the site's second control hall.

The second launch pad, which executed the first launch mission, is China's first general-purpose medium-sized liquid launch pad. It can accommodate nearly 20 types of rockets with diameters ranging from 3.35 to 5 meters.

This pad utilizes a "three-flat" rapid processing approach, involving horizontal assembly, testing, and transportation, enabling efficient launch operations.

The rocket transfer pad can be prepared for a subsequent launch in as little as three days and restored to its pre-launch state within seven days.

The Long March-12 carrier rocket is also China's first 4-meter-diameter liquid-fueled launch vehicle.

With a two-stage configuration, it measures approximately 62 meters in length and has a launch mass of about 430 tonnes. It boasts a low-earth orbit payload capacity of no less than 12 tonnes and a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit payload capacity of no less than 6 tonnes, making it China's most powerful two-stage single-core rocket.

The rocket can be adapted to accommodate satellite fairings with diameters of 5.2 meters or 4.2 meters, supporting the launch of single or multiple satellites into various orbits based on mission requirements.