# Long March 6

> Chinese orbital carrier rocket series

**Wikidata**: [Q1090965](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1090965)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March_6)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/long-march-6

## Summary
The Long March 6 is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket series developed as part of the Long March rocket family, designed for launching small to medium-sized satellites into low Earth orbit. It conducted its maiden flight on September 19, 2015, and is operated by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The rocket plays a key role in supporting China's space program, including deploying Earth observation satellites and amateur radio satellites.

## Key Facts
- **First Flight**: September 19, 2015.
- **Manufacturer**: Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.
- **Operator**: China National Space Administration (CNSA).
- **Diameter**: 3.35 meters.
- **Country of Origin**: People's Republic of China.
- **Variants**: Includes Long March 6A and Long March 6C.
- **Notable Payloads**: Deployed satellites such as ÑuSat 9–18, XW-2A, and LilacSat 2.

## FAQs
### Q: When did the Long March 6 make its first launch?
A: The Long March 6 conducted its maiden flight on September 19, 2015.

### Q: What types of satellites has the Long March 6 deployed?
A: It has launched Earth observation satellites (e.g., ÑuSat series), amateur radio satellites (e.g., LilacSat 2), and technology demonstration satellites (e.g., XW-2A).

### Q: How is the Long March 6 related to other rockets?
A: It is part of the Long March rocket family and has variants such as the Long March 6A and 6C, tailored for different mission requirements.

## Why It Matters
The Long March 6 is significant as a lightweight, cost-effective launch vehicle that expands China's capabilities in deploying small satellites for scientific, commercial, and experimental purposes. Its development reflects advancements in China's space technology, enabling diversified space missions such as Earth observation, amateur radio communication, and technology testing. By supporting constellations like the ÑuSat series, it contributes to global data collection and satellite-based services, underscoring its role in both national and international space endeavors.

## Notable For
- **Lightweight Design**: Optimized for launching small satellites into low Earth orbit.
- **Versatility**: Deployed a wide range of payloads, from student-built satellites to Earth observation constellations.
- **Variants**: Includes modified versions (e.g., Long March 6A) for specialized missions.
- **High Launch Cadence**: Facilitated frequent launches of multiple satellites in a single mission.

## Body
### Development
The Long March 6 was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, with its first flight occurring on September 19, 2015. It is part of China's broader Long March rocket family, designed to address the growing demand for small satellite launches.

### Technical Specifications
- **Diameter**: 3.35 meters.
- **Operator**: China National Space Administration (CNSA).
- **Manufacturer**: Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.

### Variants
- **Long March 6A**: A derivative tailored for specific mission requirements.
- **Long March 6C**: Another variant within the series, reflecting design flexibility.

### Notable Missions
- **2015 Maiden Flight**: Carried 20 small satellites, including the ÑuSat 1–4, XW-2A, and LilacSat 2.
- **Subsequent Launches**: Deployed the ÑuSat 9–18 satellites as part of the Aleph constellation for Earth observation.
- **Amateur Radio Satellites**: Supported projects like LilacSat 2 and NUDT PhoneSat.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Rocket",
  "name": "Long March 6",
  "description": "Chinese orbital carrier rocket series",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March_6",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March_6"
  ],
  "manufacturer": "Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology",
  "operator": "China National Space Administration",
  "countryOfOrigin": "People's Republic of China",
  "dateOfFirstFlight": "2015-09-19"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/cz-6.htm)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013