Long March 10A | Demo Flight

First test launch of CASC/CALT’s Long March 10A rocket. Payload is expected to be a prototype of the Low Earth Orbit mission version of the Mengzhou crew spacecraft.

The Long March 10A is a human-rated launch vehicle designed to replace the current Long March 2F, along with the Low Earth Orbit version of China's Mengzhou crewed spacecraft, as their new Low Earth Orbit crew missions launcher. It is based on a single 1st stage core of the Long March 10, with 7 YF-100 series kerosene/liquid oxygen staged-combustion cycle engines on the 1st stage and 1 on the 2nd stage. The 1st stage is designed to be recovered downrange by a recovery barge equipped with an arrestor net and support frame, with the 1st stage landing on the net’s cables using its grid fins.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

Payload and object details are usually published 1–2 days after launch.