China's Long March rocket carries record-breaking 22 satellites

Like the original Long March 8 model, the latest variant is 50.3 meters long and has a diameter of 3.35 meters. It is propelled by four engines-two on the first stage and two on the second – and has a liftoff weight of nearly 198 metric tons. The rocket is capable of transporting satellites with a combined weight of 3 tons to sun-synchronous orbits, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, a leading State-owned space contractor that made the rocket.

Long March 8's original model performed its debut mission in December 2020 at the Wenchang center. Sunday's mission was the second flight of the Long March 8 series.

Chen Xiaofei, one of the rocket's head designers from the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology in Beijing, said the major difference between the modified variant and the original Long March 8 is that the new model doesn't have side boosters. Its fairing is also shorter than that of the original type, he added.