China is gearing up for a stellar event! 🌠 The new-generation medium-sized rocket, the Long March-8 (CZ-8), has been successfully moved to the launch area at China's first commercial space launch site in Wenchang City, located in the sunny island province of Hainan. The rocket made its journey on Sunday afternoon and is now all set for lift-off at a soon-to-be-announced date. 🚀
Developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), this rocket is a game-changer. It's fueled by green and environmentally friendly liquid propellant, making space exploration a bit kinder to our home planet. 🌍 Earlier in November, the Long March-8 aced a full rehearsal, proving it's ready for prime time.
At precisely 1:44 p.m., the rocket was transferred to the No. 1 launch pad at the Hainan Commercial Spacecraft Launch Site. Fun fact: Construction of this launch pad kicked off in July 2022 and wrapped up on December 29, 2023. Talk about moving at light speed! ⚡
This launch isn't just any launch; it's the first major event for the No. 1 launch pad, following the site's inaugural mission with the successful launch of a Long March-12 carrier rocket on November 30. It's a significant step in boosting China's commercial space capabilities.
Did you know China's commercial space industry has skyrocketed from 800 billion yuan (about $110 billion) in 2019 to a whopping 1.9 trillion yuan in 2023? And it's set to reach 2.34 trillion yuan by the end of 2024! 💹 According to industry reports, the space scene in China is truly blasting off, offering exciting opportunities for young entrepreneurs and space enthusiasts alike.
Stay tuned, space fans! The stars are aligning for an epic launch, and we can't wait to see what new horizons the Long March-8 will explore. 🌌
Reference(s):
China to launch Long March-8 rocket from its 1st commercial spaceport
cgtn.com
