China’s Advancements in Space Technology: The Long March Rocket Family

With the advancement of space technology, China continues to achieve remarkable milestones in the field of space exploration. The Long March rocket family stands out as one of the key tools that have bolstered China’s position in this domain, having completed over 600 successful launches, reflecting the significant progress China has made in space exploration.

The Historical Beginning of the Long March Rocket Family

China launched its first Long March rocket on April 24, 1970. This historic launch of the Long March 1 rocket carried China’s first satellite, Dong Fang Hong 1, into orbit. Since then, the Long March family has undergone significant developments, with more than 20 different types of these rockets developed, 16 of which remain in service today.

The Long March family took 37 years to achieve its first 100 launches. Over time, the pace of launches has accelerated significantly. The second set of 100 launches was completed in just 7.5 years, while the third was accomplished in 4 years, highlighting the rapid improvement in Chinese space technology and capabilities.

Recent Achievements and the Long March 8A Mission

On October 15, 2025, the Long March 8A rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan Province. This mission marked the 600th launch of the Long March family, successfully deploying a new batch of satellites for the Guangwang Space Internet Network, which aims to provide satellite internet services worldwide.

The Guangwang network is part of China’s efforts to develop a comprehensive space internet network, planned to consist of around 13,000 satellites, making it one of the largest space internet projects globally.

Global Comparison and Future Challenges

Despite the significant successes of the Long March family, it is not the most widely used rocket family in the world. This title belongs to the Soviet/Russian Soyuz rocket family, which has conducted over 1,700 missions since its first appearance in November 1966.

Other rocket families, such as the American Cosmos and Atlas series, have also achieved 600 launches. Additionally, SpaceX’s Falcon rocket family is rapidly approaching this number with over 570 launches to date.

Conclusion

The Long March rocket family represents a remarkable success story in the history of space exploration. With over 600 successful launches, China continues to enhance its capabilities in space, positioning itself as a leading nation in this field. With ongoing advancements in space technology, China is expected to achieve even greater milestones in the future, solidifying its role as a major player in global space exploration.