CASC Archives - SpaceNews https://spacenews.com/tag/casc/ Covering the business and politics of space Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:00:39 +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 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.

The post China tests crewed spacecraft abort and rocket recovery in major lunar milestone appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-tests-crewed-spacecraft-abort-and-rocket-recovery-in-major-lunar-milestone/feed/ 0 572912
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.

The post China eyes space resources, space tourism and on-orbit digital infrastructure appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-eyes-space-resources-space-tourism-and-on-orbit-digital-infrastructure/feed/ 0 569370
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.

The post China set for crewed lunar tests, record launches, moon mission and reusable rockets in 2026 appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-set-for-crewed-lunar-tests-record-launches-moon-mission-and-reusable-rockets-in-2026/feed/ 0 569198
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.

The post China conducts static fire test of new reusable Long March 12B rocket appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-conducts-static-fire-test-of-new-reusable-long-march-12b-rocket/feed/ 0 567855
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.

The post China’s first launches of 2026 send Yaogan spacecraft into unusual orbit, loft Guowang satellites  appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/chinas-first-launches-of-2026-send-yaogan-spacecraft-into-unusual-orbit-loft-guowang-satellites/feed/ 0 567524
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.

The post China hits 90 launches as Guowang deployment continues, Fengyun-4C heads to GEO appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-hits-90-launches-as-guowang-deployment-continues-fengyun-4c-heads-to-geo/feed/ 0 565747
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.

The post Long March 12A reaches orbit in first reusable launch attempt, but landing fails appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/long-march-12a-reaches-orbit-in-first-reusable-launch-attempt-but-landing-fails/feed/ 0 565490
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.

The post China launches experimental cargo spacecraft, opaque tech demo mission and remote sensing satellite appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-experimental-cargo-spacecraft-opaque-tech-demo-mission-and-remote-sensing-satellite/feed/ 0 564630
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.

The post China launches 4 times in 4 days, boosting megaconstellation and surveillance assets appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-4-times-in-4-days-boosting-megaconstellation-and-surveillance-assets/feed/ 0 563796
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.

The post China launches classified Shijian-28 spacecraft, reusable Zhuque-3 rocket faces delay appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-classified-shijian-28-spacecraft-reusable-zhuque-3-rocket-faces-delay/feed/ 0 562266
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 […]

The post China launches 12th group of Guowang broadband satellites as rocket milestone highlights accelerating launch rate appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-12th-group-of-guowang-broadband-satellites-as-rocket-milestone-highlights-accelerating-launch-rate/feed/ 0 556599
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.

The post China completes second hot-fire test for new moon rocket, including engine restarts appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-completes-second-hot-fire-test-for-new-moon-rocket-including-engine-restarts/feed/ 0 550962
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.

The post China sends 10th group of Guowang broadband satellites into orbit with Long March 8A launch appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-sends-10th-group-of-guowang-broadband-satellites-into-orbit-with-long-march-8a-launch/feed/ 0 546947
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.

The post China launches test low-inclination satellite, new Guowang broadband group appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-test-low-inclination-satellite-new-guowang-broadband-group/feed/ 0 544885
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.

The post China completes landing and takeoff test for crewed moon lander appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-completes-landing-and-takeoff-test-for-crewed-moon-lander/feed/ 0 540752
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.

The post Long March 12 launches first Guowang satellites developed by private firm appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/long-march-12-launches-first-guowang-satellites-developed-by-private-firm/feed/ 0 539273
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.

The post China launches ChinaSat-9C geostationary communications satellite appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-chinasat-9c-geostationary-communications-satellite/feed/ 0 519604
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.

The post China launches classified comms satellite, conducts commercial sea launch appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-classified-comms-satellite-conducts-commercial-sea-launch/feed/ 0 518027
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.

The post China adds to classified TJS, Yaogan satellite series with two launches appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-adds-to-classified-tjs-yaogan-satellite-series-with-two-launches/feed/ 0 517380
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.

The post Long March 3B launches Tianlian-2 (05) satellite to boost space data relay network appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/long-march-3b-launches-tianlian-2-05-satellite-to-boost-space-data-relay-network/feed/ 0 516596
Long March 8 launches Thousand Sails satellites from commercial spaceport https://spacenews.com/long-march-8-launches-thousand-sails-satellites-from-commercial-spaceport/ https://spacenews.com/long-march-8-launches-thousand-sails-satellites-from-commercial-spaceport/#respond Tue, 11 Mar 2025 18:46:19 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514343 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.

HELSINKI — A new group of 18 satellites entered orbit Tuesday for the Thousand Sails constellation with the first launch from a new commercial launch pad. A Long March 8 […]

The post Long March 8 launches Thousand Sails satellites from commercial spaceport appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/long-march-8-launches-thousand-sails-satellites-from-commercial-spaceport/feed/ 0 514343
China expands secretive satellite series with launch of TJS-15 https://spacenews.com/china-expands-secretive-satellite-series-with-launch-of-tjs-15/ https://spacenews.com/china-expands-secretive-satellite-series-with-launch-of-tjs-15/#respond Sun, 09 Mar 2025 22:18:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514178 A Long March 3B rocket lifts off at night from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, illuminating the surroundings with bright flames and smoke. The rocket is positioned on the launch pad with its structure and scaffolding visible, silhouetted against the dark sky.

HELSINKI — China launched the latest in a series classified satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit Sunday while disclosing little about the spacecraft. A Long March 3B rocket lifted off at […]

The post China expands secretive satellite series with launch of TJS-15 appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-expands-secretive-satellite-series-with-launch-of-tjs-15/feed/ 0 514178
China highlights commercial space sector in government work report https://spacenews.com/china-highlights-commercial-space-sector-in-government-work-report/ https://spacenews.com/china-highlights-commercial-space-sector-in-government-work-report/#respond Fri, 07 Mar 2025 12:08:34 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514097 A SAST (Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology) vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) rocket prototype during a test flight, kicking up dust from the ground. The rocket's engines emit a bright flame, indicating an active and controlled descent. The test was conducted in a desert-like environment under clear skies.

HELSINKI — China’s latest government work report emphasizes the commercial space sector as a key driver of high-tech development, highlighting its potential to transform the nation’s space capabilities. China will […]

The post China highlights commercial space sector in government work report appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-highlights-commercial-space-sector-in-government-work-report/feed/ 0 514097
China adds to SuperView remote sensing constellation with Long March 2C launch https://spacenews.com/china-adds-to-superview-remote-sensing-constellation-with-long-march-2c-launch/ https://spacenews.com/china-adds-to-superview-remote-sensing-constellation-with-long-march-2c-launch/#respond Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:16:42 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=513627 A Long March 2C rocket lifts off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China, carrying the SuperView Neo-1 03 and 04 remote sensing satellites. The rocket ascends into a clear blue sky, leaving a trail of orange exhaust, with the launch pad and surrounding infrastructure visible in the foreground. The launch tower features Chinese characters indicating the satellite launch center.

HELSINKI — China added to a commercial high-resolution remote sensing constellation early Thursday with the launch of a pair of SuperView Neo-1 satellites. A Long March 2C rocket lifted off […]

The post China adds to SuperView remote sensing constellation with Long March 2C launch appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-adds-to-superview-remote-sensing-constellation-with-long-march-2c-launch/feed/ 0 513627