This group represents the 13th installment of hardware for China's internet satellite network. Twelve prior launches this year have continued assembling the nation's space-based internet system, which aims to deliver worldwide coverage through approximately 13,000 satellites operating in low-Earth orbit.
The Long March 12 rocket, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, is the first Chinese vehicle built with a 3.8-meter diameter. Previously, most Chinese carrier rockets featured a 3.35-meter diameter, a standard set decades ago for rail transport constraints.
At 62.6 meters tall, the Long March 12 is the second tallest in the fleet, exceeded only by the 62.8-meter Long March 5. The launch was the 72nd space mission performed in China and marked the 607th Long March launch.
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