China’s New Year Launch: Space Ambition Soars Higher

On December 31, China successfully launched two satellites from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province. The Long March-7 carrier rocket, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), blasted off at 6:40 local time and placed the Shijian-29A and Shijian-29B satellites into their designated orbit. According to official reports, the satellites are intended for testing new technologies related to detecting space objects. Details of the specific technologies remain undisclosed.

The Long March-7 rocket represents a new generation of medium-lift launch vehicles designed for deploying payloads to high orbits. It can perform both single and dual satellite launches. In 2025, rockets designed by CALT conducted 73 space launches, setting a new record and surpassing the 2024 figure of 51 launches. This launch marked the 623rd in the Long March series of carrier rockets.

China’s space program has continued to make formidable strides, with these launches contributing to its objective of becoming a major power in space exploration. The country’s emphasis on developing new space technology positions it competitively on the global stage, potentially influencing the future dynamics of international space collaboration and competition.