China’s Long March 2C/3 (CZ-2C/3) rocket has been modified with a additional kick stage attached to the satellite to launch the small – at least small for a communications satellite – 1,800 kg APSTAR-6E HTS (High Throughput Satellite) on its way to a...
China opened its launch account for 2023 with a pair of orbital launches. At 2200 GMT on 8 January 2022, China launched a Long March 7A (CZ-7A) rocket from its Southern launch site, Wenchang, Hainan Island. It carried the Shi Jian 23 communications test satellite. The...
Much changed on Earth and in space during 2022. In July the James Webb Telescope, the largest optical telescope in space, delighted the world with stunning infrared images, revealing the most detailed view ever of the Universe. After a series of stalled attempts,...
China has launched a Long March 3B-G2 (CZ-3B-G2) rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China, carrying the Shiyan 10-02 satellite into what is thought to be a “Molniya” style highly inclined and eccentric orbit like its predecessor in the Shiyan...
A Long March 4B (CZ-4B) launch vehicle was launched at 0737 GMT on 27 December from Taiyuan in China. It carried the Gaofen 11-04 high resolution imaging satellite into orbit. The spacecraft is believed to be a military reconnaissance satellite. The spacecraft is...
At 0617 GMT on 16 December a Long March 11 (CZ-11) rocket placed the Shiyan 21 test satellite into LEO. The mission took place from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China. “Shiyan” translates to English as “experiment” and these satellites are routinely described...
