CHINA AEROSPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Long March 8 | SpaceSail Polar Group #9
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May 17, 2026 at 14:42 UTC
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Source
PADCommercial LC-1
SITEWenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China →ORBITPolar Orbit
TYPECommunications
MISSION OVERVIEW
18 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites with Ku, Q and V band payloads for the G60 constellation operated by Shanghai Spacesail Technologies with funding backed by the Shanghai local government.
Initial constellation will consist of 1296 satellites by 2027 with long term plans to expand it to 12000 satellites.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Long March 8MISSION
SpaceSail Polar Group #9
MISSION TYPE
Communications
TARGET ORBIT
Polar Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Commercial LC-1COUNTRY
CHN
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Half-year
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: aef8f8ea-522b-4bdb-9d57-212bbe981946
Reported date: May 17, 2026 at 14:42 UTC
Last synced: 48 seconds ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
SCHEDULE & STATUS HISTORY
STATUS CHANGEMay 17, 2026 at 18:43 UTC
IN FLIGHT → SUCCESS
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEMay 17, 2026 at 14:47 UTC
GO → IN FLIGHT
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(0.1 hrs)
May 17, 2026 at 14:07 UTCMay 17, 2026 14:40 → May 17, 2026 14:43 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Long March 8 →
MANUFACTURER
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
FLIGHTS
6
SUCCESSES
6
SUCCESS RATE
100%
Long March 8 (Chinese: 长征八号运载火箭) is an orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology to launch up to 5000 kg to a 700 km altitude Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The rocket is based on the Long March 7 with its first stage and 2 out of its 4 boosters, along with the existing liquid hydrogen burning 3rd stage of the Long March 3A/3B/3C and 7A as its 2nd stage. A "Core Only" version omitting the boosters is also available.
LAUNCH VIDEOS
ARTICLES & COVERAGE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Long March 8 | SpaceSail Polar Group #9 launch?
The Long March 8 | SpaceSail Polar Group #9 is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 2:42 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for SpaceSail Polar Group #9?
The Long March 8 | SpaceSail Polar Group #9 mission uses the Long March 8 rocket, manufactured by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The Long March 8 has flown 6 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Long March 8 | SpaceSail Polar Group #9 launching from?
The launch takes place from Commercial LC-1 at Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China.
What orbit is SpaceSail Polar Group #9 going to?
The SpaceSail Polar Group #9 mission is targeting Polar Orbit.
Who is launching SpaceSail Polar Group #9?
The Long March 8 | SpaceSail Polar Group #9 is operated by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Can I watch the Long March 8 | SpaceSail Polar Group #9 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
May 24, 2026 09:47 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
May 17, 2026 18:43 UTC
Status changed: IN FLIGHT u2192 SUCCESS
Launch completed successfully (via Launch Library 2)
May 17, 2026 14:47 UTC
Status changed: GO u2192 IN FLIGHT
Launch IN FLIGHT (via Launch Library 2)
May 17, 2026 14:07 UTC
Launch delayed by 0.1 hours
May 17, 2026 14:40 UTC u2192 May 17, 2026 14:43 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
May 10, 2026 13:28 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
May 10, 2026 13:28 UTC
Launch date set: May 17, 2026 at 14:42 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 48 seconds ago
●Launch Library 248 seconds ago
Launch ID: aef8f8ea-522b-4bdb-9d57-212bbe981946
●Open-Meteo Weather1 week ago
Pad weather at 19.6, 110.93
●X (Twitter) Search24 minutes ago
10 tweets
RECENT FROM X
2 months ago
ud83dude80 Long March 8 launch in T-1 hour! nud83cudff7ufe0f SpaceSail Polar Group TBDnud83dudccd Wenchang Space Launch Site nn Find out more and watch livenhttps://t.co/t60EK45RCj
1 ♥ 1 ↻
View on X →2 months ago
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. has a launch window open.nLong March 8 / SpaceSail Polar Group TBDnT-55 min.nLaunch site: Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China.nWhat do you check first on a launch: pad, payload, or countdown? https://t.co/4HIAUaaDXG
View on X →2 months ago
One hour until the launch of Long March 8 | SpaceSail Polar Group TBDnnCheck the Next Spaceflight app or website for more info
View on X →2 months ago
u23f1ufe0f T-MINUS 1 HOUR u2014 Long March 8 | SpaceSail Polar Group TBDnud83dude80 Long March 8nud83dudcc5 Sun, May 17, 10:34 AM EDTnud83cudfaf ud83dudfe2 Go for launchnLast chance to check your spot ud83dudc47nhttps://t.co/K876zOigk6 https://t.co/DF5nhI4sHn
View on X →2 months ago
ud83dudcc5 DAILY LAUNCH SCHEDULE | May 17, 2026nnud83dudfe9 TBD u2014 Long March 8 | SpaceSail Polar Group TBDnnFollow @LaunchSight for real-time updates ud83dudef0ufe0f
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Mission Profile
SpaceSail Polar Group #9 was a Long March 8 mission operated by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation that lifted off from Commercial LC-1, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China on May 17, 2026. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Polar Orbit. The launch was a success.