Long March 6C

Long March 6C
Rendering of Long March 6C
FunctionLaunch vehicle
ManufacturerShanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology
Country of originChina
Size
Height43 m (141 ft)
Diameter3.35 m (11.0 ft)
Mass217,000 kg (478,000 lb)
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass4,500 kg (9,900 lb)
Payload to 500 km (310 mi) SSO
Mass2,400 kg (5,300 lb)
Payload to 700 km (430 mi) SSO
Mass2,000 kg (4,400 lb)
Associated rockets
FamilyLong March
ComparableDelta II
Vega-C
Angara 1.2
Launch history
StatusActive
Launch sitesTaiyuan LA-9A
Total launches1
Success(es)1
First flightMay 7, 2024 (03:21 UTC)
Last flightMay 7, 2024 (03:21 UTC)
First stage
Diameter3.35 m (11.0 ft)
Powered by2 YF-100
Maximum thrust2,376 kN (534,000 lbf)
Specific impulse300 seconds (sea level)
335 seconds (vacuum)
PropellantRP-1/LOX
Second stage
Diameter2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
Powered by1 YF-115
Maximum thrust180 kN (40,000 lbf)
Specific impulse341.5 seconds (vacuum)
PropellantRP-1/LOX

The Long March 6C (CZ-6C) (Chinese: 长征六号丙运载火箭) is a Chinese two-stage-to-orbit liquid-fueled launch vehicle designed and manufactured by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The rocket is a dual engine first stage variant of the Long March 6; alternatively, it may be considered to be a slightly shorter single stick variant of the Long March 6A. Both the first and second stages of the rocket use liquid oxygen and RP-1 propellants. It is employed to launch small and medium-sized military, civilian and commercial satellites to LEOs and Sun-synchronous orbits; it is capable of lifting 2,400 kg to 500 km SSOs.

The rocket undertook a successful maiden launch on 7 May 2024 at 13:21 UTC from North China's Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.

A rideshare launch opportunity by Long March 6C was sold at an online auction in July 2023, with bidding prices starting at ¥87,000/kg.