CASC – SpaceNews

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 completes second hot-fire test for new moon rocket, including engine restarts

by Andrew JonesSeptember 12, 2025September 12, 2025

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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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.

Civil, Launch, News

China sends 10th group of Guowang broadband satellites into orbit with Long March 8A launch

by Andrew JonesAugust 25, 2025August 25, 2025

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.

Civil, Launch, Military, News

China launches test low-inclination satellite, new Guowang broadband group

by Andrew JonesAugust 18, 2025August 18, 2025

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 completes landing and takeoff test for crewed moon lander

by Andrew JonesAugust 7, 2025August 7, 2025

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.

Civil, Commercial, Launch, News

Long March 12 launches first Guowang satellites developed by private firm

by Andrew JonesAugust 4, 2025August 4, 2025

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.

Civil, Launch, News

China launches ChinaSat-9C geostationary communications satellite

by Andrew JonesJune 22, 2025June 22, 2025

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.

Commercial, Launch, Military, News

China launches classified comms satellite, conducts commercial sea launch

by Andrew JonesMay 20, 2025May 20, 2025

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.

Launch, Military, News

China adds to classified TJS, Yaogan satellite series with two launches

by Andrew JonesMay 12, 2025May 12, 2025

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.

Civil, Launch, News

Long March 3B launches Tianlian-2 (05) satellite to boost space data relay network

by Andrew JonesApril 27, 2025April 27, 2025

A Long March 8 rocket lifts off from Hainan Commercial Launch Site at night, illuminating the surroundings with bright flames and thick clouds of smoke. The launch pad structure and lightning towers frame the ascending vehicle against the dark sky.

Commercial, Launch, News

Long March 8 launches Thousand Sails satellites from commercial spaceport

by Andrew JonesMarch 11, 2025March 11, 2025