Tag: China
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Launch Preview: SpaceX and Chinese missions fill busy launch manifest
The week of May 11 brings nine launches across the United States and China, spanning government and commercial operators on both sides of the Pacific. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 accounts for four missions: a Cargo Dragon resupply flight to the International Space Station, a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload from Vandenberg, a Starlink mission, and a…
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Tianzhou-10 Delivers 6.9 Tons to Tiangong Station
How quickly can China resupply its orbital outpost? China’s Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft delivered 6.9 tons of supplies to the Tiangong space station Sunday, completing an autonomous docking sequence in just 6.5 hours after launch from Wenchang Space Launch Center. The Long March 7 rocket lifted off at 21:22 UTC, with the cargo vessel securing to…
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Launch Preview: three launches — a calm before the storm?
Two Falcon 9 launches and a Chang Zheng 7 make up the launch roster for the week commencing Monday, May 4, 2026. SpaceX will use its launches to place a further 48 Starlink satellites into Group 17 of the huge constellation of over 7,000 satellites. China’s single flight is a cargo supply mission to the…
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China Hits 26 Launches in 2026 with Pakistan EO Satellite Mission
What does China’s latest launch surge tell us about global competition? China executed three separate Long March missions over the weekend, bringing its 2026 total to 26 launches and maintaining the world’s highest annual launch cadence. The most significant payload was Pakistan’s PRSC-EO3 Earth observation satellite, launched via Long March 2D from Jiuquan Satellite Launch…
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China builds 1,000+ satellite annual capacity amid launch bottlenecks
How fast is China scaling satellite manufacturing capacity? China has built satellite manufacturing infrastructure capable of producing over 1,000 spacecraft annually, representing a 300% increase from 2023 levels, as state-owned enterprises and commercial players race to support ambitious satellite constellation deployments. However, this production surge has created a critical mismatch with launch capacity, as Chinese…
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Launch Preview: GPS, Progress, and Starlink missions to launch during busy week
Seven missions, four countries, and five launch vehicles make the week of April 20 one of the more diverse on the 2026 manifest. GPS III SV10 carries the week’s most technically significant payload in its first-ever GPS laser communications demonstration, while South Korea’s ADD vehicle attempts its first complete four-stage orbital flight. Rocket Lab pulls…
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Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to launch Starlink satellites, New Glenn to launch with flown booster
Six launches are scheduled worldwide this week, with the third launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn, featuring a previously-flown booster, highlighting the week. SpaceX is expected to launch three Starlink missions this week: two from California and one from Florida. Internationally, two Chinese rockets, a Lilian-1 and Chang Zheng 2D, are scheduled to launch unknown…
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Chinese Cyber Groups Target Satellite Ops With New TTPs
How Are Chinese Cyber Groups Adapting Their Satellite Attack Methods? Chinese-nexus cyber actors are evolving their tradecraft specifically to target satellite operations and ground systems, according to new behavioral analysis from Darktrace released April 12. The “Crimson Echo” report documents how these groups have shifted from traditional IT network infiltration to specialized tactics targeting satellite…
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Chinese Falcon 9 Clone Fails as Artemis II Approaches Reentry
What happened to China’s Falcon 9 competitor and Artemis II’s status? China’s attempt to replicate SpaceX’s reusable rocket success hit a major setback this week, with an unspecified failure affecting their Falcon 9-inspired vehicle development program. Meanwhile, NASA’s Artemis Program mission continues smoothly as the four-person crew aboard Orion prepares for the most critical phase…
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China Debuts Two Commercial Launchers, Tests Orbital Servicing
What are China’s latest commercial space milestones in April 2026? China’s commercial space sector achieved two major launcher debuts within days of each other in early April 2026, with CAS Space and Space Pioneer both conducting successful inaugural flights of new vehicles. CAS Space’s Kinetica-1 solid rocket delivered multiple payloads to Low Earth Orbit (LEO)…