China News Service, August 4th, title: From "One Arrow and Twenty Stars" to "Commercial Carpool Launch", the 6-year history of the Long March 6 launch vehicle

　　Author Zheng Yingying, Ma Shuaisha, Guo Chaokai

　　The Long March 6 launch vehicle started again. On the 4th, it set off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China to send two multimedia beta test satellites into space.

　　It has been nearly 6 years since the "Long March 6" first flew in 2015.

In the past six years, the "Long March VI" has gradually moved into the high-density launch array of active rockets, and its launch mission has grown from the initial "1 round in 2 years" to this year's "multiple rounds in 1 year."

The first issue of "Goddess Scattering Flowers": "One Arrow and Twenty Stars" has an extraordinary appearance

　　The Long March 6 launch vehicle is not an ordinary member of the "Long March rocket family."

On September 20, 2015, its first flight was launched in a special way of "Twenty Stars with One Arrow", setting a new record for the number of multiple satellites launched by China at that time. Previously, only the United States and Russia had it in the world. The record of "launching more than 20 satellites at a time".

The first launch of the Long March 6 launch vehicle was to send 20 satellites into a predetermined orbit in the manner of "spreading flowers". These satellites range in size from 100 kilograms to dozens of grams. They are released in 4 times with an interval of tens of seconds. The opening was unusual.

　　Data show that the development of the Long March 6 carrier rocket has gone through 6 years.

In August 2009, this model was officially approved, and this type of rocket was named the new-generation carrier rocket Long March 6.

From the optimization of the overall configuration of the rocket to the determination of the overall layout plan, the "Long March 6" development team has determined a total of 90 key technologies represented by 12 major key technologies.

Data map, on April 27, 2021, the Long March 6 carrier rocket was launched at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.

Photo courtesy of the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Second Entrepreneurship: China's first new-generation carrier rocket to participate in commercial launch

　　Among China's new-generation launch vehicles, the Long March 6 is the first rocket to participate in commercial launches.

　　On November 21, 2017, the Long March 6 launched the "Jilin One" video satellites 04, 05, and 06 with a "one arrow and three stars" method.

This launch is the second launch of the Long March 6 rocket, and it is also the first commercial launch of China's new-generation liquid carrier rocket.

　　If "Six Years of Grinding an Arrow" is the first venture, then striving for a commercial aerospace launch after the successful launch is the second venture of the "Long March VI".

　　After the successful maiden flight, the development team of "Long March Six" took the initiative to promote the "Chang Six".

According to reports, the Long March 6 carrier rocket is very unique. It is a "green rocket" that uses the high-pressure, large-thrust, non-toxic, and non-polluting supplementary combustion circulating liquid oxygen kerosene engine developed by China for the first time.

In addition, "Long March 6" adopted the "Sanping" test and launch model for the first time in the field of Chinese carrier rockets ("Sanping" refers to: horizontal integral star and arrow docking, horizontal integral test, horizontal integral transportation and vertical launch), simplifying launch Zone operation shortens the occupation time of the launching station, and the launch process can be completed in about 7 days.

Re-expanding business: This year, I am very busy developing the rocket "carpooling" business

　　The "Long March Six" in 2021 is particularly busy.

On April 27, 2021, the fifth launch of the Long March 6 carrier rocket successfully sent three main stars including Qilu-1 and six carrier stars including the Zhong'an Guotong-1 satellite into a predetermined orbit by means of "one stone with nine stars". This is its first commercial "carpooling" launch.

The so-called "carpooling" launch refers to a carrier rocket that provides launch services for multiple satellites in the form of "joint group".

Compared with previous missions providing launch services in the form of "carriage", in the rocket "carpooling" service, the rocket will provide the remaining carrying capacity to other "small satellites" that have launch requirements, in addition to meeting the main satellite mission.

This method has the characteristics of low launch cost and good task adaptability.

　　Then, on July 9, 2021, the "Long March 6" was ignited and lifted off at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, successfully sending the "Zhongzi" satellite constellation 02 group into the predetermined orbit.

　　The mission on August 4, 2021 is its seventh launch. This mission is the third orbital mission performed by this model after the typical sun-synchronous orbit and low-inclination orbit of the previous six missions, which further expands the Long March. The mission adaptability of the No. 6 launch vehicle.

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