China's Long March 12B makes surprise maiden flight, delivering Qianfan satellites to orbit
China launched the maiden flight of its reusable Long March 12B rocket from the Jiuquan launch site, placing satellites for the Shanghai-led Qianfan broadband megaconstellation into orbit with no advance warning; CASC said there was no first-stage recovery test on this mission but recovery work will happen later. The two-stage vehicle uses nine YF-102R engines and is aimed at ~20,000 kg to LEO, designed to lower launch costs and support multi‑orbit missions for China’s growing constellation programs (potentially adding up to about 180 Qianfan satellites).
