🚀 Long March 12 | 🛰 SatNet LEO Group
Launch date: May 5, 2025 11:05 UTC
Payload: SatNet LEO Group
Location: LC-2, Wenchang Space Launch Site, China
Vehicle: Long March 12
On May 5, 2025, at 11:05 UTC, China’s Chang Zheng 12 (Long March 12) is scheduled to launch a batch of LEO communications satellites for the SatNet (GuoWang) constellation from LC-2 at Wenchang. This mission is part of China’s ambitious effort to build a global broadband internet constellation of nearly 13,000 satellites, supporting the China Satellite Network Group’s (GuoWang) growing LEO constellation to compete with Starlink and Project Kuiper. The Wenchang launch site offers strategic advantages for such large missions, and this flight will further demonstrate the capabilities of the new Long March 12 rocket.
Launch Complex 2, Wenchang Space Launch Site, China
Located on Hainan Island, Wenchang Space Launch Site’s Launch Complex 2 is one of China’s most advanced and recently constructed launch pads. It was developed specifically to accommodate new-generation, medium- and heavy-lift Long March launch vehicles designed for both crewed and uncrewed missions. This pad plays a pivotal role in China’s space ambitions, launching payloads to low Earth orbit and supporting high-profile projects such as Tianzhou cargo missions to the Chinese Space Station.
The geographic advantage of Wenchang allows rockets to launch eastward over the sea, maximizing performance and safety. Since becoming operational in 2016, Launch Complex 2 has featured prominently in China’s efforts to modernize and expand its space activities, including international payload launches and key national missions.