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]
| Function | Launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology |
| Country of origin | China |
| Size | |
| Height | 43 m (141 ft) |
| Diameter | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Mass | 217,000 kg (478,000 lb) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | |
| Mass | 4,500 kg (9,900 lb) |
| Payload to 500 km (310 mi) SSO[1] | |
| Mass | 2,400 kg (5,300 lb) |
| Payload to 700 km (430 mi) SSO | |
| Mass | 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Long March |
| Comparable | Delta II Vega-C Angara 1.2 |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launch sites | Taiyuan LA-9A |
| Total launches | 1 |
| Success(es) | 1 |
| First flight | May 7, 2024 (03:21 UTC) |
| Last flight | May 7, 2024 (03:21 UTC) |
| First stage | |
| Diameter | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Powered by | 2 YF-100 |
| Maximum thrust | 2,376 kN (534,000 lbf) [2] |
| Specific impulse | 300 seconds (sea level) 335 seconds (vacuum) [3] |
| Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
| Second stage | |
| Diameter | 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) |
| Powered by | 1 YF-115 |
| Maximum thrust | 180 kN (40,000 lbf) [2] |
| Specific impulse | 341.5 seconds (vacuum) [4] |
| Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
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]
List of launches
| Flight number | Serial number | Date (UTC) | Launch site | Payload | Orbit | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Y1 | May 7, 2024 (03:21 UTC) | TSLC LA-9A | Haiwangxing 01, Zhixing-1C, KuanfuGuanfxue, Gaofen Shiping | SSO | Success |