China launched the Remote-Sensing Satellite No. 40 Group 04 at 4:46 p.m. Beijing Time on September 24, 2026, using a Long March 6A rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The satellites entered their planned orbit and will primarily conduct electromagnetic environment detection and related technology experiments.
Chinese authorities did not disclose the number of satellites in the group, their orbital parameters, payload specifications or expected operational lifetime. The brief mission description indicates an experimental and technical role focused on collecting and evaluating electromagnetic environment data.
Electromagnetic environment detection can involve monitoring radio-frequency activity and characterizing signal conditions across wide geographic areas. Space-based observations provide broad coverage and repeated access, supporting research into signal distribution, interference conditions and the performance of related sensing technologies. The specific capabilities and users of the new satellite group were not identified.
The Long March 6A is a medium-lift launch vehicle developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. It is China’s first launch vehicle to combine a liquid-propellant core with strap-on solid rocket boosters, pairing the longer operating duration and efficiency of liquid engines with the high liftoff thrust of solid propulsion.
The rocket stands about 50 meters tall and has a liftoff mass of approximately 530 metric tons. It can place at least 4.5 metric tons into a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit and supports several payload configurations, including single satellites and multi-satellite arrangements using stacked, parallel or externally mounted deployment structures. This flexibility allows the vehicle to support both dedicated remote-sensing missions and high-density constellation launches from Taiyuan.
The September 24 mission marked the 670th flight of China’s Long March rocket family.
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