China Tests New Communication Satellite with Long March 5 Rocket
Quick Look
- China launched the Communication Technology Test Satellite No 25 on a Long March 5 rocket from Wenchang, Hainan, on Thursday.
- The mission aims to validate technology for next-generation orbital connectivity.
AI-generated summary
China launched a new test communication satellite on Thursday in a pivotal step to validate technology essential for next-generation orbital connectivity speeds and reliability.
The Communication Technology Test Satellite No 25 was sent into orbit on a Long March 5 rocket launched from the Wenchang spaceport in the southern island province of Hainan at 3.30pm on Thursday.
The mission is the 11th flight for the Long March 5 series and its first launch of the year.
The Long March 5 has a carrying capacity of 25 tonnes to low-Earth orbit, 14 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit and 8.25 tonnes to trans-lunar injection, suggesting that the satellite deployed in this mission was relatively heavy.
The choice of Wenchang remains strategic for heavy payloads.
