Tag: China
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New Advances in Satellite Remote Sensing of Aboveground Biomass in Dense Mountain Forests
Dense mountain forests are important carbon reservoirs and biodiversity habitats. However, complex terrain and canopy occlusion make it difficult for conventional optical remote sensing to accurately capture vertical forest structure, creating considerable uncertainty in aboveground biomass estimates under challenging environmental conditions. To address this problem, a team led by researcher Wenjian Ni from the State…
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STARPATH GLOBAL Showcases Space and Geospatial Intelligence Capabilities at Xinjiang Aerospace and Defense Technology Expo, Exploring New Opportunities for Global Commercial Space Cooperation
Urumqi, Xinjiang, China — The 2026 Xinjiang New Quality Productive Forces and Aerospace & Defense Technology Equipment Expo was held from August 21 to 23, 2026, at the Xinjiang International Convention and Exhibition Center. Under the theme “Empowering Aerospace with New Quality Productive Forces and Strengthening National Defense through Technological Innovation,” the expo focused on…
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China’s First Export Satellite Delivered In Orbit Retires After 15 Years of Service
On August 24, 2026, PakSAT-1R completed all deorbiting operations following the execution of its final orbital control command, formally leaving the 38° East orbital position it had occupied for 15 years. Affectionately known as “PakSat-1R” by Chinese and Pakistani space professionals, the communications satellite concluded its mission with a graceful final farewell to space. The…
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China Launches Seven Satellites on One Rocket, Including Thai CubeSat
At 11:21 a.m. Beijing Time on August 25, a Long March 6C carrier rocket lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, successfully placing seven satellites into their designated orbits. The payloads included AIRSAT-14, AIRSAT-15, GISTDA CubeSat 1, Muduo-1A, Muduo-1B, Jing’an Dream Satellite and Bayi-04. The launch marked the 665th flight of China’s Long March…
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In-Depth Look at the Long March 10B Launch Vehicle
I. Basic Information The Long March 10B is a large, reusable commercial liquid-propellant launch vehicle with a diameter of 5 meters. The rocket was developed under the overall responsibility of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). The project was formally approved on July 3, 2025, entered the engineering development phase in December 2025,…
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Why Is China Going to Such Lengths to Send Computing Power into Space?
China is working to give satellites an additional “brain” by combining artificial intelligence and onboard computing with traditional space capabilities. The objective is not simply to process data in orbit, but eventually to enable autonomous spacecraft, robotic servicing and the construction of large-scale computing infrastructure and human bases in space. What Is Space-Based Computing? Space-based…
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How Brutal Is a Satellite Launch? G-Loads, Vibration, Shock, Noise and Vacuum Explained
A satellite is often treated as an exceptionally delicate object on the ground: temperature and humidity are tightly controlled in cleanrooms, lifting speeds are limited, connectors are fitted with protective caps, and optical surfaces cannot be exposed casually. But once sealed inside a payload fairing, it must endure engine ignition, liftoff, transonic flight, maximum dynamic…
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After Long March 10B and Zhuque-3 Recoveries, What Comes Next for China’s Commercial Rockets?
On August 19, 2026, the second Zhuque-3 rocket lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone. Its first stage subsequently returned to a landing pad in Minqin, Gansu Province, marking China’s first land recovery of the first stage of an orbital-class launch vehicle. Just 40 days earlier, on July 10, the Long March…
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AI + Ocean Satellite Remote Sensing: A New Possibility for Marine Environmental Services
Marine environmental information is fundamental to major national projects and offshore activities, while satellite remote sensing is one of the most important tools for understanding the ocean. Could artificial intelligence make marine environmental services more timely and better able to meet the practical needs of marine engineering, maritime transport, aquaculture and underwater exploration? Why Is…
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Successful Rocket Recovery Is Only the Beginning. Three Priorities Come Next
China has successfully recovered two orbital-class rocket boosters—one at sea and one on land—but recovery itself is only the starting point. Turning reusable rockets into a commercially viable capability will depend on three priorities: Rapidly returning recovered boosters to flight and developing a first stage optimized for frequent reuse; Continuously increasing the payload fraction to…