CASC Archives - SpaceNews https://spacenews.com/tag/casc/ Covering the business and politics of space Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:23:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-SN_forza_star-32x32.png CASC Archives - SpaceNews https://spacenews.com/tag/casc/ 32 32 80681979 China conducts pair of Long March launches for Thousand Sails and Guowang megaconstellations https://spacenews.com/china-conducts-pair-of-long-march-launches-for-thousand-sails-and-guowang-megaconstellations/ https://spacenews.com/china-conducts-pair-of-long-march-launches-for-thousand-sails-and-guowang-megaconstellations/#respond Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:23:45 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=585267

China carried out separate Long March 8 and Long March 6A launches this week, adding new batches of satellites to the country’s megaconstellation projects.

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China sends radar mapping and GNSS augmentation sats into orbit with pair of launches https://spacenews.com/china-sends-radar-mapping-and-gnss-augmentation-sats-into-orbit-with-pair-of-launches/ https://spacenews.com/china-sends-radar-mapping-and-gnss-augmentation-sats-into-orbit-with-pair-of-launches/#respond Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:51:51 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=581903

China conducted a pair of launches in recent days, adding new satellites to the SuperView and CentiSpace low Earth orbit infrastructure constellations.

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China ends month-long launch hiatus with separate Guowang and Shiyan-30 satellite missions https://spacenews.com/china-ends-month-long-launch-hiatus-with-separate-guowang-and-shiyan-30-satellite-missions/ https://spacenews.com/china-ends-month-long-launch-hiatus-with-separate-guowang-and-shiyan-30-satellite-missions/#respond Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:58:31 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=579083

China resumed orbital launch activity Thursday with a pair of missions lifting off from Hainan and Xichang spaceports, launching satellite internet and technology test satellites.

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Chinese official calls for prioritizing Neptune orbiter mission https://spacenews.com/chinese-official-calls-for-prioritizing-neptune-orbiter-mission/ https://spacenews.com/chinese-official-calls-for-prioritizing-neptune-orbiter-mission/#respond Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:28:40 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=578151

A senior Chinese space scientist and delegate to the country’s national congress is proposing the prioritization of an unprecedented orbiter mission to ice giant Neptune.

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China tests crewed spacecraft abort and rocket recovery in major lunar milestone https://spacenews.com/china-tests-crewed-spacecraft-abort-and-rocket-recovery-in-major-lunar-milestone/ https://spacenews.com/china-tests-crewed-spacecraft-abort-and-rocket-recovery-in-major-lunar-milestone/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:00:36 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=572912

China took a major step forward in its lunar and human spaceflight programs late Tuesday with successful in-flight abort and rocket recovery tests.

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China eyes space resources, space tourism and on-orbit digital infrastructure https://spacenews.com/china-eyes-space-resources-space-tourism-and-on-orbit-digital-infrastructure/ https://spacenews.com/china-eyes-space-resources-space-tourism-and-on-orbit-digital-infrastructure/#respond Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:33:35 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=569370

China’s main space contractor says it will push into new commercial space domains in the coming years as the country formulates its latest Five-year plan.

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China set for crewed lunar tests, record launches, moon mission and reusable rockets in 2026 https://spacenews.com/china-set-for-crewed-lunar-tests-record-launches-moon-mission-and-reusable-rockets-in-2026/ https://spacenews.com/china-set-for-crewed-lunar-tests-record-launches-moon-mission-and-reusable-rockets-in-2026/#respond Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:36:14 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=569198 A Long March rocket stands on a launch pad in a desert setting during a static fire test, with engines firing and producing a large plume of white and gray exhaust and dust spreading outward across the ground, framed by lightning towers under a clear sky.

China appears set to accelerate its launch rate this year while also conducting tests key to its crewed lunar ambitions and launching major missions.

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China conducts static fire test of new reusable Long March 12B rocket https://spacenews.com/china-conducts-static-fire-test-of-new-reusable-long-march-12b-rocket/ https://spacenews.com/china-conducts-static-fire-test-of-new-reusable-long-march-12b-rocket/#respond Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:06:43 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=567855 A Long March rocket stands on a launch pad in a desert setting during a static fire test, with engines firing and producing a large plume of white and gray exhaust and dust spreading outward across the ground, framed by lightning towers under a clear sky.

China’s main space contractor performed a static fire test of a new reusable Long March rocket Friday, paving the way for a test flight.

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China’s first launches of 2026 send Yaogan spacecraft into unusual orbit, loft Guowang satellites  https://spacenews.com/chinas-first-launches-of-2026-send-yaogan-spacecraft-into-unusual-orbit-loft-guowang-satellites/ https://spacenews.com/chinas-first-launches-of-2026-send-yaogan-spacecraft-into-unusual-orbit-loft-guowang-satellites/#respond Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:46:43 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=567524

China conducted a pair of Long March rocket launches Tuesday, kicking off what is likely to be a record-breaking year for the country.

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China hits 90 launches as Guowang deployment continues, Fengyun-4C heads to GEO https://spacenews.com/china-hits-90-launches-as-guowang-deployment-continues-fengyun-4c-heads-to-geo/ https://spacenews.com/china-hits-90-launches-as-guowang-deployment-continues-fengyun-4c-heads-to-geo/#respond Mon, 29 Dec 2025 12:12:54 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=565747

China reached 90 orbital launches in 2025 with consecutive Long March missions deploying Guowang megaconstellation satellites and the advanced Fengyun-4C weather spacecraft.

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Long March 12A reaches orbit in first reusable launch attempt, but landing fails https://spacenews.com/long-march-12a-reaches-orbit-in-first-reusable-launch-attempt-but-landing-fails/ https://spacenews.com/long-march-12a-reaches-orbit-in-first-reusable-launch-attempt-but-landing-fails/#respond Tue, 23 Dec 2025 04:57:45 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=565490

A first launch of the Long March 12A Chinese state-owned reusable rocket reached orbit late Monday, but attempted recovery of the first stage downrange failed.

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China launches experimental cargo spacecraft, opaque tech demo mission and remote sensing satellite https://spacenews.com/china-launches-experimental-cargo-spacecraft-opaque-tech-demo-mission-and-remote-sensing-satellite/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-experimental-cargo-spacecraft-opaque-tech-demo-mission-and-remote-sensing-satellite/#respond Tue, 16 Dec 2025 11:17:01 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=564630 A Long March 4B lifts off carrying the Ziyuan-3 (04) remote sensing satellite, Dec. 16 (UTC), 2025, climbing above the snow-dusted hills surrounding Taiyuan spaceport.

China conducted a pair of launches in recent days, sending a commercial cargo spacecraft and tech demo into orbit, followed by a remote sensing satellite.

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China launches 4 times in 4 days, boosting megaconstellation and surveillance assets https://spacenews.com/china-launches-4-times-in-4-days-boosting-megaconstellation-and-surveillance-assets/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-4-times-in-4-days-boosting-megaconstellation-and-surveillance-assets/#respond Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:06:05 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=563796 A Long March 6A rocket lifts off from a launch pad at night, its engines producing a bright plume of flame and smoke as it ascends between two tall support towers.

China launched four missions in four days, accelerating its record-setting launch cadence while expanding its Guowang LEO megaconstellation and deploying new Yaogan reconnaissance assets.

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China launches classified Shijian-28 spacecraft, reusable Zhuque-3 rocket faces delay https://spacenews.com/china-launches-classified-shijian-28-spacecraft-reusable-zhuque-3-rocket-faces-delay/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-classified-shijian-28-spacecraft-reusable-zhuque-3-rocket-faces-delay/#respond Sun, 30 Nov 2025 22:42:22 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=562266

China launched the latest in a series of experimental, often opaque satellites Sunday, while the debut flight of the commercial Zhuque-3 faces a delay.

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China launches 12th group of Guowang broadband satellites as rocket milestone highlights accelerating launch rate https://spacenews.com/china-launches-12th-group-of-guowang-broadband-satellites-as-rocket-milestone-highlights-accelerating-launch-rate/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-12th-group-of-guowang-broadband-satellites-as-rocket-milestone-highlights-accelerating-launch-rate/#respond Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:18:12 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=556599 A Long March 8A rocket lifts off from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Center in southern China, sending a batch of Guowang broadband satellites into orbit. The rocket rises through a cloud of exhaust and smoke, framed by tall metal service towers under a bright sky.

HELSINKI — China added to its Guowang national broadband megaconstellation Wednesday with the 600th Long March rocket launch, marking a milestone in the country’s accelerating spaceflight cadence. A Long March […]

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China completes second hot-fire test for new moon rocket, including engine restarts https://spacenews.com/china-completes-second-hot-fire-test-for-new-moon-rocket-including-engine-restarts/ https://spacenews.com/china-completes-second-hot-fire-test-for-new-moon-rocket-including-engine-restarts/#respond Fri, 12 Sep 2025 22:06:07 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=550962 Plumes of exhaust rise above trees during a tethered hot-fire test of a Long March 10 first stage at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, China, September 12, 2025. The test stand and service tower are visible with cranes and support structures in the background.

China conducted a rocket stage hot fire test Friday in the latest step in the country’s plans to land astronauts on the moon.

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China sends 10th group of Guowang broadband satellites into orbit with Long March 8A launch https://spacenews.com/china-sends-10th-group-of-guowang-broadband-satellites-into-orbit-with-long-march-8a-launch/ https://spacenews.com/china-sends-10th-group-of-guowang-broadband-satellites-into-orbit-with-long-march-8a-launch/#respond Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:09:14 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=546947 A Long March 8A rocket lifts off at night from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Center, with bright flames and exhaust clouds illuminating the launch tower and surrounding gantry structures.

China launched a new batch of Guowang broadband satellites late Monday, continuing a flurry of missions to build a national low Earth orbit communications megaconstellation.

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China launches test low-inclination satellite, new Guowang broadband group https://spacenews.com/china-launches-test-low-inclination-satellite-new-guowang-broadband-group/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-test-low-inclination-satellite-new-guowang-broadband-group/#respond Mon, 18 Aug 2025 10:34:51 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=544885 A Long March 6A rocket lifts off at night from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China, sending a batch of Guowang broadband satellites into orbit. Bright exhaust and thick clouds of smoke billow around the launch pad against the dark sky.

China conducted a pair of launches Sunday to separately deliver a new experimental satellite and a new batch of Guowang broadband satellites into orbit.

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China completes landing and takeoff test for crewed moon lander https://spacenews.com/china-completes-landing-and-takeoff-test-for-crewed-moon-lander/ https://spacenews.com/china-completes-landing-and-takeoff-test-for-crewed-moon-lander/#respond Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:12:57 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=540752 China’s Lanyue crewed lunar lander undergoing a landing and ascent test at the extraterrestrial celestial body landing test facility in Huailai, Hebei Province, on August 6, 2025. The lander is suspended from a large steel tower structure and firing its thrusters, producing a yellow exhaust plume characteristic of hypergolic propellants.

China has completed an integrated landing and ascent test of its Lanyue lunar lander, marking a major milestone in its crewed moon landing program.

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Long March 12 launches first Guowang satellites developed by private firm https://spacenews.com/long-march-12-launches-first-guowang-satellites-developed-by-private-firm/ https://spacenews.com/long-march-12-launches-first-guowang-satellites-developed-by-private-firm/#respond Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:35:52 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=539273 A Long March 12 rocket lifts off from the Wenchang Commercial Launch Site in Hainan, China, on August 4, 2025, trailing a bright plume of exhaust and thick clouds of smoke against a twilight sky. The rocket is carrying a batch of low Earth orbit broadband satellites developed by GalaxySpace.

China completed a third launch of Guowang megaconstellation satellites in eight days Monday, marking the first such mission to involve a commercial satellite manufacturer.

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China launches ChinaSat-9C geostationary communications satellite https://spacenews.com/china-launches-chinasat-9c-geostationary-communications-satellite/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-chinasat-9c-geostationary-communications-satellite/#respond Sun, 22 Jun 2025 18:20:07 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=519604 A Long March 3B rocket launches ChinaSat-9C from Xichang Satellite Launch Center at night, with flames and smoke billowing from the base and the illuminated rocket lifting off against a dark sky.

China launched the ChinaSat-9C communications satellite Friday to replace an aging, foreign-built predecessor and boost domestic broadcasting capabilities.

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China launches classified comms satellite, conducts commercial sea launch https://spacenews.com/china-launches-classified-comms-satellite-conducts-commercial-sea-launch/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-classified-comms-satellite-conducts-commercial-sea-launch/#respond Tue, 20 May 2025 18:35:48 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=518027 A Long March 7A rocket lifts off at night from China's Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, illuminating the launch pad with bright exhaust flames and casting shadows on surrounding support structures and trees.

China has continued an uptick in launch activity with a Long March 7A mission to geosynchronous orbit and sea launch of a Ceres-1 solid rocket.

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China adds to classified TJS, Yaogan satellite series with two launches https://spacenews.com/china-adds-to-classified-tjs-yaogan-satellite-series-with-two-launches/ https://spacenews.com/china-adds-to-classified-tjs-yaogan-satellite-series-with-two-launches/#respond Mon, 12 May 2025 22:10:25 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=517380 A Long March 6A rocket lifts off at night from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China, with bright exhaust and smoke plumes illuminating the launch pad tower bearing Chinese characters.

China has added new spacecraft to two separate classified satellite series with a pair of launches across Sunday and Monday.

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Long March 3B launches Tianlian-2 (05) satellite to boost space data relay network https://spacenews.com/long-march-3b-launches-tianlian-2-05-satellite-to-boost-space-data-relay-network/ https://spacenews.com/long-march-3b-launches-tianlian-2-05-satellite-to-boost-space-data-relay-network/#respond Sun, 27 Apr 2025 22:09:37 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516596 A Long March 3B rocket lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at night, sending the Tianlian-2 (05) data relay satellite into orbit. Bright flames and smoke billow from the rocket’s base as it ascends past the illuminated launch tower.

China added a new satellite to its geostationary Tianlian data tracking and relay communications satellite series Sunday with its latest launch.

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