Long March 8A launches internet satellite group 20 from Hainan

A Long March 8A launched low-orbit internet satellite group 20 from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site at 03:48 Beijing time on March 13, 2026. CASC confirmed that the satellites entered their planned orbit and the launch succeeded. It was the Long March family's 631st flight. The First Academy vehicle uses a 3.35-metre kerosene first stage, a hydrogen upper stage and two liquid boosters. It has a 5.2-metre fairing, a length of about 50.5 metres and a launch mass of roughly 371 tonnes. These vehicle specifications do not reveal this batch's satellite count or payload mass. CASC described efforts to adapt the launch team to a higher flight rate in 2026, including staffing, training and rotation. Since its 2025 debut, Long March 8A has targeted constellation missions through its modular configuration and responsive launch operations. The early-morning flight was another internet satellite deployment from Hainan. This report records officially confirmed launch success and orbital delivery, without treating later network coverage or satellite operations as completed milestones.