Long March 12 delivers low-orbit internet satellite group 19

Long March 12 launched low-orbit internet satellite group 19 from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site at 15:48 Beijing time on January 19, 2026. CASC reported successful delivery to the intended orbit, marking the Long March family's 628th flight. Developed by CASC's Eighth Academy, the vehicle supports single- and multi-satellite missions. Its stated capability is at least 12 tonnes to low Earth orbit or six tonnes to a 700-kilometre sun-synchronous orbit. It can use a 5.2- or 4.2-metre fairing. These specifications are not the actual payload mass for this launch. The team revised processing work and final test activities to shorten the launch cycle by four days. Changes to an interstage structure, kerosene pressurisation lines and cable lengths were intended to reduce weight and simplify assembly. The mission adds to Hainan's sustained role in satellite internet deployment. The official release did not specify the number of satellites in this group; group 19 is a batch identifier, not a count. Successful orbital delivery also does not establish completion of the wider network.