Long March 5 rocket’s lift-off marks pivotal step in validating technologies for next-generation orbital connectivity speeds and reliability
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenZhang Tongin WenchangPublished: 8:46pm, 11 Jun 2026China launched a new communication test satellite on Thursday, marking a pivotal step in validating technologies essential for next-generation orbital connectivity speeds and reliability.
The Communication Technology Test Satellite No 25 was placed into orbit by the Long March 5 rocket that set off from the Wenchang spaceport in the southern island province of Hainan on Thursday at 3.30pm.
The mission marked the 11th flight of the Long March 5 series and its first launch of 2026.
The Long March 5 has a carrying capacity of 25 tonnes to low-Earth orbit, 14 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) and 8.25 tonnes to trans-lunar injection (TLI), suggesting that the satellite deployed in this mission was relatively heavy.
The choice of Wenchang remains strategic for heavy payloads.
