Long March 7A Launch: Time & How to Watch (17 July 2026)

When is the Long March 7A launch?

A Long March 7A rocket is scheduled to lift off on 17 July 2026 at 11:00 UTC from Pad 201 at the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan Island, People's Republic of China. The mission is operated by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

The launch status is currently listed as TBC (To Be Confirmed), which is common for Chinese missions. Exact timing can shift, so it is worth checking back for updates as the date approaches. You can follow the countdown and any schedule changes on our rocket launch schedule.

What is the payload?

The payload for this mission has not been publicly disclosed. This is typical for many Chinese launches, where detailed mission information is often released only shortly before or after liftoff. When the payload is confirmed, our latest launch news will be updated.

The Long March 7A is optimized for launches to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), so payloads frequently include communications, navigation, or classified government satellites headed for higher orbits. Once the spacecraft is in orbit, you'll be able to see it on the Cosmik live 3D satellite map.

What is the Long March 7A rocket?

The Long March 7A is a three-stage medium-lift rocket derived from the Long March 7 family. It combines the kerosene/liquid-oxygen core and boosters of the Long March 7 with a hydrogen-fueled third stage, giving it the capability to deliver payloads of roughly 7 tonnes to geosynchronous transfer orbit.

The vehicle uses environmentally cleaner propellants compared with older hydrazine-fueled Long March rockets, part of China's broader modernization of its launch fleet. It stands as a key workhorse for CASC's GTO missions and complements the heavier Long March 5 for the country's deep-space and high-orbit needs.

About Wenchang Space Launch Site

The Wenchang Space Launch Site is China's newest and southernmost spaceport, located on the coast of Hainan Island. Its low latitude gives rockets an extra boost from Earth's rotation, making it especially efficient for launches to geostationary and interplanetary trajectories. Wenchang has hosted major missions including Long March 5 heavy-lift flights and China's lunar and Mars probes.

How to watch the launch live

Chinese launches are not always accompanied by an official live stream, and broadcasts, when available, tend to appear close to liftoff. If a webcast is provided, it will typically be shared through Chinese state media channels.

Regardless of whether video is available, you can track the mission in real time on Cosmik. Our launch tracker follows the countdown, and once the payload reaches orbit you can watch it circle the planet on our interactive map. To learn more about following spacecraft after deployment, see our guide on how to track satellites.

Why this launch matters

Each Long March 7A flight adds to China's steady cadence of high-orbit launches, reinforcing the country's growing presence in geosynchronous communications and government space infrastructure. As one of CASC's primary GTO vehicles, the Long March 7A plays a central role in expanding China's on-orbit capability.

Launch data for this mission is sourced from The Space Devs Launch Library. As always, timings and mission details are subject to change until officially confirmed.

Follow the launch live on Cosmik

Don't miss liftoff. Follow this Long March 7A mission live on Cosmik, explore every satellite in orbit on our 3D solar system map, and enable free launch alerts so you're notified the moment the countdown begins.