The carrier rocket "Changzheng-12" (Y2) was delivered to the launch complex of the Hainan International Commercial Spaceport in Hainan Province. The rocket, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Space Technology, is scheduled for launch on May 5, 2025. The mission's goal is to deploy a group of satellites for internet connectivity.
"Changzheng-12" is capable of carrying up to 12 tons of payload to low Earth orbit or 6 tons to a 700-km sun-synchronous orbit. The rocket's first successful launch took place on November 30, 2024, deploying two test satellites.
The mission aims to strengthen China's position in the satellite internet field, where SpaceX's Starlink system remains the main competitor.