Long March 6C

Long March 6C
Rendering of Long March 6C
FunctionLaunch vehicle
ManufacturerShanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology
Country of originChina
Size
Height43 m (141 ft)
Diameter3.35 m (11.0 ft)
Mass217,000 kg (478,000 lb)
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass4,500 kg (9,900 lb)
Payload to 500 km (310 mi) SSO[1]
Mass2,400 kg (5,300 lb)
Payload to 700 km (430 mi) SSO
Mass2,000 kg (4,400 lb)
Associated rockets
FamilyLong March
ComparableDelta II
Vega-C
Angara 1.2
Launch history
StatusActive
Launch sitesTaiyuan LA-9A
Total launches1
Success(es)1
First flightMay 7, 2024 (03:21 UTC)
Last flightMay 7, 2024 (03:21 UTC)
First stage
Diameter3.35 m (11.0 ft)
Powered by2 YF-100
Maximum thrust2,376 kN (534,000 lbf) [2]
Specific impulse300 seconds (sea level)
335 seconds (vacuum) [3]
PropellantRP-1/LOX
Second stage
Diameter2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
Powered by1 YF-115
Maximum thrust180 kN (40,000 lbf) [2]
Specific impulse341.5 seconds (vacuum) [4]
PropellantRP-1/LOX

The Long March 6C (CZ-6C) (Chinese: 长征六号丙运载火箭) is a Chinese two-stage-to-orbit liquid-fueled launch vehicle designed and manufactured by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The rocket is a dual engine first stage variant of the Long March 6; alternatively, it may be considered to be a slightly shorter single stick variant of the Long March 6A.[5] Both the first and second stages of the rocket use liquid oxygen and RP-1 propellants. It is employed to launch small and medium-sized military, civilian and commercial satellites to LEOs and Sun-synchronous orbits; it is capable of lifting 2,400 kg to 500 km SSOs.[1]

The rocket undertook a successful maiden launch on 7 May 2024 at 13:21 UTC from North China's Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.[1]

A rideshare launch opportunity by Long March 6C was sold at an online auction in July 2023, with bidding prices starting at ¥87,000/kg. [6]

  1. ^ a b c Jones, Andrew (7 May 2024). "China launches first Long March 6C rocket". spacenews.com. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference New Generation Cryogenic Quick Launching Launch Vehicle and Development was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Chinese YF-100 (Russian RD-120) to Power CZ-5". SPACEPAC, The Space Public Affairs Committee. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  4. ^ "中国新一代液氧煤油发动机3:YF100/115主要特性 - 深空网". www.shenkong.net (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
  5. ^ "中国新一代运载火箭将再添新成员! (China's next generation launch vehicles will receive a new member!)". 163.com (in Chinese). 19 June 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  6. ^ "新聞熱話/衛星發射機會公開拍賣 每公斤8.7萬起 共享長征火箭 港企可競投" (in Chinese). Ta Kung Pao. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.