spacetoday.net: China introduces Long March 6

China introduces Long March 6

Posted: Sat, Sep 26, 2015, 10:35 AM ET (1435 GMT)
Long March 6 first launch (Xinhua)

China carried out the first launch of its Long March 6 rocket, a next-generation launch vehicle that uses new propellants. The Long March 6 lifted off from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center at 7:01 pm EDT Sept. 19 (2301 GMT Sept. 19, 7:01 am Beijing time Sept. 20) and placed 20 microsatellites into orbit. The original launch attempt, one day earlier, was scrubbed by an unspecified technical issue. The rocket is the first in a new series of launch vehicles developed by China that use more environmentally friendly propellants, liquid oxygen and kerosene. The Long March 6 is designed to place about one ton into orbit, and will be complemented by the larger Long March 5 and 7 rockets under development.