KevinJamesNg

At 1939 Hours Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time 4 June 2026 , China- People’s Republic of China- CNSA –China National Space Administration   Successfully launched  Chang Zheng – Long March 6A At 19:39 Beijing time on June 4, 2026, China successfully launched the Qianfan Polar Orbiting Satellite 11 into its predetermined orbit using a Long March-6A carrier rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The launch mission was a complete success. This mission marked the 648th flight of the Long March series carrier rockets.

1. Key Facts of the Launch Mission

The key parameters for this launch mission are as follows:

• Launch time : 19:39 on June 4, 2026
• Launch site : Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
• Launch Vehicle : Long March 6A Launch Vehicle
• Launch method : “One rocket carrying 18 satellites”, simultaneously sending 11 Qianfan polar-orbiting satellites into their predetermined orbits.
•  Satellite Status : All satellites are in normal condition and have successfully entered their designated orbits.
•  Launch result : Mission a complete success146
• A milestone for the Long March series : This was the 648th flight of the Long March series carrier rockets.
•  Constellation size update : The number of satellites in orbit in the Qianfan constellation has increased to 182.

2. Launching rocket: Long March 6A

The rocket’s key information includes:

• Research and development unit : The Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation was responsible for the overall research and development.

• Rocket configuration : A new generation of solid-liquid coupled medium-lift launch vehicle1814
• Carrying capacity :
  • The payload capacity to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers is no less than 4.5 tons.

• • The payload capacity to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers is no less than 6.5 tons.

•  
• Launch adaptability : It can meet diverse and dense launch requirements such as single-satellite, multi-satellite tandem, parallel, stacked, wall-mounted, and mounted launches.

• Launch services : The launch services for the Qianfan Polar Orbit 11 satellite constellation were provided by China Great Wall Industry Corporation, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, as the general contractor

3. Current Status of Qianfan Constellation Network

The Qianfan constellation has recently entered a period of intensive launches, with the following specific batches:

batch	Launch date	Networked satellites	launch vehicle	launch site
Group 11	June 4, 2026	Qianfan Polar Orbit 11 Satellites	Long March 6A	Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
Group 10	June 1, 2026	Qianfan Polar Orbit 08 Satellite Group	Long March 12B	Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone
Group 9	May 17, 2026	The 9th batch of Qianfan constellation networking satellites	Long March 8	Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site
Group 7	April 7, 2026	The seventh batch of Qianfan constellation networking satellites	Long March 8	Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site
Summary of network deployment progress :

• Since April 2026, the Qianfan constellation has completed the deployment of its 7th, 9th, 10th and 11th satellite groups in just two months, significantly accelerating the network deployment speed.
• On June 1, the Long March 12B carrier rocket successfully completed its maiden flight at the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone, becoming another main rocket for the Qianfan constellation network.

• The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone, and other launch sites have all undertaken the Qianfan constellation launch missions.

4. Focus of Public Attention

This launch has attracted widespread attention, with key focuses including:

• The “Chinese version of Starlink” is taking shape rapidly : The media generally regards the Qianfan constellation as the Chinese version of “Starlink”, and many media outlets have reported on it with the “accelerated formation of the network” as the core, highlighting the speed of satellite internet construction.

• The spectacular aerial spectacle resonated with many : a photographer captured the image of the Long March 6A rocket soaring through the twilight, trailing a red and white rocket cloud, which was described as “a romance unique to us.” Some netizens also shared their experiences of witnessing the rocket’s launch contrail.

• Nationwide praise for space achievements : CCTV News, People’s Daily Online, China Aerospace News and many other authoritative media outlets have reported on the achievements, and the topics “#ThumbsUpForChinaAerospace#” and “#ChinaSuccessfullyLaunchesThousandSailsPolarOrbiting11GroupSatellites#” have become hot topics of discussion online.

•  Public sentiment is positive and diverse : Based on the public opinion reactions after previous launches, the mainstream views of netizens include: feeling proud of the successful launch, looking forward to accelerating the deployment to achieve global coverage, believing that commercial space launch capabilities have matured, supporting the construction of an independent and controllable space broadband network, and feeling grateful for the strong national power that safeguards peaceful life.

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned Space CNSA-China National Space Administration

On CNSA –China National Space Administration    …. ChangZheng  Long March 12B Reusable Carrier r flight rocket …. Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone JiuquanSatelliteLaunchCenter, Inner Mongolia, China, People’s Republic of China  First Flight a Success! Long March 12B Rocket Successfully Launches the 10th Batch of Qianfan Constellation Satellites] At 16:40 on June 1st, the Long March 12B carrier rocket ignited and lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone, subsequently sending the 10th batch of Qianfan constellation satellites into their predetermined orbits. The maiden flight was a complete success. This adds another high-capacity commercial rocket to China’s large-scale internet constellation networking mission.

The Long March 12B rocket was developed by China Commercial Rocket Company, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
This launch was the 647th launch of the Long March series of carrier rockets. (

🚀 Key Achievements of the Maiden Flight Mission

• Launch time and payload : At 16:40 Beijing time on June 1, 2026, the Long March 12B rocket was launched from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone, successfully sending the tenth batch of Qianfan constellation networking satellites (officially referred to as “Qianfan Polar Orbit 08 Group Satellites”) into their predetermined orbits. The maiden flight achieved “double success in launch and orbit insertion”
• The main body and cycle of development : The development was led by China Commercial Rocket Company (CCOM), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It took only 21 months from blueprint design to the first flight , setting a record for the speed of development of medium and large rockets in China.
• Historical significance : This mission marks the 647th launch of the Long March series carrier rockets , signifying that China’s commercial space program has officially entered a new stage of large-capacity, high-density network deployment.

⚙️ Technological Breakthrough of the 20-Ton “Capacity Champion”

• Powertrain :
  • It uses liquid oxygen and kerosene propellant . The first stage is equipped with nine YF-102R engines with a thrust of 100 tons each (90 tons at sea level, supporting variable thrust at depths of 50% to 105%), and the second stage is equipped with one YF-102RV vacuum engine (710 kN vacuum thrust), with a takeoff thrust of 800 tons.
  • By integrating nine engines into a large-diameter common-bottom tank and an integrated tail section design , the rocket body achieves systematic “weight reduction and slimming,” thereby improving carrying efficiency.
• Intelligent control :
  • Equipped with dual flight control computer systems (one for primary and one for secondary flight control), it has fault diagnosis and reconfiguration capabilities, and can monitor the status of nine engines in milliseconds and automatically “coordinate and compensate”
  • For the first time, Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) technology was applied to achieve microsecond-level synchronous transmission of more than 8,000 parameters across the entire rocket.

• Recycling Design :
  • Although the rocket was not actually recovered during its maiden flight, it has been equipped with four grid fins, four landing legs, and an attitude control system , which provides a foundation for technical verification in subsequent vertical recovery tests

🏭 “Archery range integration” creates a closed business loop

• Self-developed launch pad : The mission utilizes China’s first self-built test and development pad for commercial rockets , capable of supporting the launch of 1,000-ton thrust rockets and achieving compatibility and rapid recovery capability with multiple propellants such as liquid oxygen and kerosene
• Low-cost strategy : Innovative application of mature products such as automotive-grade components and industrial-grade flexible cable networks reduces the weight of cable networks by 30% to 40% , significantly reducing manufacturing costs.3140

🔮 Reusable technology verification and follow-up plans

• Step-by-step iterative path : The maiden flight focuses on verifying the reliability of orbit insertion. Subsequently, a vertical recovery test of the first stage will be carried out at an opportune time, with a target of ≥10 recovery and reuse times and a near-ground carrying capacity of approximately 12 tons in the recovery mode.
• Market positioning : Targeting China’s low-Earth orbit constellation networking needs (such as the “China Star Network” plan of 12,000 satellites), it supports large-scale constellation deployment with high-frequency and low-cost launches , and the cost per launch is expected to be more than 40% lower than that of traditional rockets.

The successful maiden flight marks China, People’s republic of China  entry into the field of heavy-lift launch vehicles for commercial rockets. Subsequent breakthroughs in recovery technology and routine launch capabilities will become key variables in breaking the bottleneck of “many satellites but few rockets” and reshaping the global commercial launch landscape…

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration

On 1st June 2026 launch  CNSA _China National Space Administration China, People’s Republic of China 34th Launch This Year] At 2:07 AM on May 31, 2026, a Long March-2D carrier rocket successfully launched a satellite internet technology test satellite into its predetermined orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, marking a complete success for the mission. The satellite internet technology test satellite is primarily used for testing and verifying technologies such as direct satellite broadband connections for mobile phones and the integration of space and ground networks. This launch was the 646th launch of the Long March series of carrier rockets.

📅 Mission Core Overview

This launch mission marked the 646th flight of the Long March series carrier rockets and the 105th launch of the Long March 2D carrier rocket. The mission details demonstrated an extremely high level of engineering maturity and launch frequency.

• Launch details : At 02:07 Beijing time on May 31, 2026, the Long March 2D carrier rocket was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center and successfully sent the satellite into its predetermined orbit
• Launch vehicle : The Long March 2D rocket, developed by the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, is a room-temperature liquid two-stage launch vehicle capable of launching single or multiple satellites under different orbital requirements. This mission employed a point-stacking separation mechanism and a large 4.2-meter diameter space fairing, with a payload capacity of 1.3 tons to a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
• Payload Layout : This mission adopted a “one rocket, four satellites” launch method. The four experimental satellites were jointly developed by commercial aerospace companies such as China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, and LandSpace. Among them, StarLink provided broadband communication base stations and narrowband IoT payloads for two satellites, realizing on-orbit verification of “broadband and narrowband dual-mode”

📡 Breakthrough and Validation of Core Technologies

This is not an ordinary communication test, but a crucial deep-water verification of satellite internet’s transition from “conceptual networking” to “consumer-grade applications,” focusing on two core technologies

• Direct satellite broadband connection for mobile phones : This technology aims to verify that ordinary smartphones can directly connect to satellites and access broadband internet without any special modifications or external satellite dish antennas. This technology overcomes the limitations of previous satellite communications, which were only used for low-speed emergency text messages or narrowband voice calls, and aims to achieve a broadband communication experience with downlink speeds exceeding 100Mbps
• Seamless Integration of Space-Ground Networks : The focus is on testing the intelligent switching and deep integration of space-based networks with terrestrial 5G/6G networks. By overcoming challenges such as high latency and unstable signals in space-to-ground links, the test ensures seamless cooperation between the satellite network in space and the vast ground communication network, enabling users to experience a “seamless” connection when switching between different networks.

🌍 Business Prospects and Applications in People’s Livelihoods

The successful launch of the experimental satellite lays a solid foundation for building a seamless global integrated network covering air, space, land, and sea.

• Eliminating communication blind spots : Traditional terrestrial base stations can only cover a small portion of the global land area, while satellite internet will fill communication dead zones in oceans, deserts, mountains, and remote areas. In scenarios such as disaster relief, ocean shipping, and in-flight internet, satellite networks will gradually transform from a “backup plan” into a reliable communication guarantee.6
• Supporting the “Space-Based Foundation” of 6G : Satellite internet is a crucial component of future 6G networks. This trial verified the interoperability of satellite-based base stations with the existing 5G core network, paving the way for the realization of an integrated space-air-ground network for 6G commercialization around 2030.
• Commercialization Timeline and Pricing : Industry forecasts predict that with the accumulation of trial data and the advancement of satellite constellation deployment, ordinary consumers can expect to experience high-speed internet access via direct satellite connection from their mobile phones as early as the end of 2026 to the beginning of 2027. As the scale expands, basic package pricing is expected to further decrease, potentially down to around 199 yuan per year, with data traffic unit prices kept at a low level.
•  

🚀 Industrial Chain Resonance and Strategic Significance

This launch is not only a technological breakthrough, but also directly catalyzes the resonance of the trillion-dollar commercial aerospace industry chain and accelerates the strategic layout of the national satellite constellation.

• The entire industry chain will benefit : the advancement of technology verification directly paves the way for commercialization expectations. Upstream products such as spaceborne phased array antennas and communication RF chips (such as T/R components), midstream products such as mobile phone direct connection baseband chips, and downstream products such as ground gateway station construction and operation services will all see broader market opportunities.68
• Accelerating the Deployment of Mega-Constellations : This launch marks a crucial milestone in the high-frequency networking of national and commercial constellations such as the “GW Constellation” (China Star Network) and the “Qianfan Constellation” (G60 Starlink). The data acquired by the experimental satellite will provide critical support for the deployment of hundreds or even thousands of subsequent networking satellites, propelling China’s low-Earth orbit satellite internet towards large-scale, industrialized production.

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned Space CNSA-China National Space Administration

On CNSA –China National Space Administration神舟二十一号Shenzhou-21 Crew on Shenzhou22 Manned Command module Spacecraft   Takionaut crew Embark on Homecoming Journey Soon…At 14:44 Beijing time on May 29, 2026, the Shenzhou21 Takionaut Crew onboard Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the space station module.

Before separation, the Shenzhou-21 crew, with the cooperation of ground personnel, completed various pre-separation tasks, including setting up the China space station module’s status, processing and transmitting experimental data, and clearing and transferring orbital supplies. They also completed a handover and exchange of on-orbit work experience with the Shenzhou-23 crew.

Subsequently, the Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft’s return capsule will re-enter the space station underground control at an opportune time, and Takionauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, who were on a mission to the Chinese space station, will soon embark on their journey home.

[Live Broadcast: Shenzhou21 Takionaut Crew Returns to Earth ]

 At 14:44 on May 29, 2026, Takionauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, who were on a mission to the Chinese Space Station, embarked on their return journey home. Tune in to the live broadcast to witness the safe return of the “Lijian-21” crew!

[Shenzhou22 Manned Spacecraft Return Capsule Successfully Lands , Shenzhou21 Takionaut Crew Returns Triumphantly ]

 At 20:11 Beijing time on May 29, 2026, the Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew, aboard the Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft, successfully landed at the Dongfeng Landing Site. On-site medical monitoring personnel confirmed that Takionauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang were in good health, and the mission was a complete success.

At 19:20, the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center announced ..

. [ Shenzhou21 Takionaut Crew Successfully Exits Space ] At 20:59 Beijing time on May 29, 2026, Shenzhou-21 Takionauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang all safely and successfully exited the spacecraft, and are in good health. With this, the Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew’s space journey has successfully concluded. Takionaut ZhangLu is currently the Takionaut in China with the most extravehicular activity (EVA) missions# . Takionauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang’s maiden flight was also successfully completed

[ Shenzhou21 Takionaut Crew Arrives Safely in Beijing ] The Takionaut crew, having successfully completed the Shenzhou-21 manned spaceflight mission, arrived safely in Beijing by plane on May 30, 2026 (Beijing time). Leaders and members of the General Command for the Space Station Application and Development Phase Flight Mission greeted them at the airport. After arriving in Beijing, the three Takionauts will enter a quarantine and recovery period, undergoing comprehensive medical examinations and health assessments, and will be allowed to rest and recuperate. They will then meet with the media in Beijing.

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration

On CNSA –China National Space Administration神舟二十一号Shenzhou-21 Crew on Shenzhou22 Manned Command module Spacecraft   Takionaut crew Embark on Homecoming Journey Soon…At 14:44 Beijing time on May 29, 2026, the Shenzhou21 Takionaut Crew onboard Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the space station module.

Before separation, the Shenzhou-21 crew, with the cooperation of ground personnel, completed various pre-separation tasks, including setting up the space station module’s status, processing and transmitting experimental data, and clearing and transferring orbital supplies. They also completed a handover and exchange of on-orbit work experience with the Shenzhou-23 crew.

Subsequently, the Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft’s return capsule will re-enter the space station underground control at an opportune time, and Takionauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, who were on a mission to the Chinese space station, will soon embark on their journey home .

The Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew (commander Zhang Lu, Takionauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang) has completed all their missions in orbit and will return to the Dongfeng Landing Site aboard the Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft at dusk today (May 29, 2026), ending their record-breaking nearly seven-month stay in space

[Coming Back Soon! What Will Shenzhou21 Takionauts Eat Their First Meal Back On Earth ]

The Shenzhou-21 crew is about to embark on their return journey, landing at the Dongfeng Landing Site. Why was the Dongfeng Landing Site chosen for the Shenzhou spacecraft’s return? What will their first meal be? Welcoming Shenzhou21 Takionauts Home

The Dongfeng Landing Site is close to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, allowing for rapid deployment of search and rescue teams; it is also far from the living area, located in the Gobi Desert of Inner Mongolia, sparsely populated, so the spacecraft’s return won’t disturb the neighbors.
When the Shenzhou-20 crew returned, they enjoyed braised beef noodles with fried eggs, mutton soup, steamed buns, twisted rolls, millet porridge, cucumber salad, pickled vegetables, and fruit. The principle for the first meal back home is light, soft, easily digestible, and nutritious, but most importantly—it must taste like home. The ground support team will prepare the home-cooked meals they’ve been longing for…..

I. Returning Key Task Information

• Time and place
  • Return time : Expected between 19:49 and 20:21 today (May 29), with landing at dusk. Subsequent search and rescue, medical monitoring and support work will be carried out at night.
  • Landing site : Dongfeng Landing Site in Inner Mongolia has completed its final comprehensive system drill and is equipped with facilities such as drone lighting and barrier-free lifting platforms to cope with nighttime search and rescue in complex terrain.
• The reason for using Shenzhou-22
  instead of the original Shenzhou-21 spacecraft for the return journey stems from a space emergency in November 2025 : the Shenzhou-20 return capsule’s porthole was damaged by space debris, causing a crack. The original crew was reassigned to Shenzhou-21 for the return. Shenzhou-22, as an emergency spacecraft, was launched and docked ahead of schedule and is now serving as the return vehicle. This adjustment demonstrates China’s rapid response and redundancy backup capabilities in the space industry…

II. Crew Achievements and Breakthroughs in Orbit

• Breaking two Chinese space records
  • Duration of stay : Since entering the space station on October 31, 2025, the crew has accumulated nearly 210 days in orbit, making it the Takionaut crew with the longest stay in a single mission in China.
  • Extravehicular activity : Commander Zhang Lu has completed 7 extravehicular activities, setting a new personal record for Chinese Takionauts; 32-year-old Wu Fei became the youngest Takionaut in China to perform extravehicular activities.
• Scientific Experiment Milestones
  • Life Sciences : For the first time in China, mice were successfully kept in orbit in a closed space and cherry tomatoes and wheat were cultivated using aerosols, accumulating data for long-term life support in space.
  • Materials Science : Successfully cultivated low-defect indium selenide crystals, which can be applied to high-performance electronic devices; completed in-orbit ignition test of a novel ionic liquid propellant.

III. Ground Support and Technological Innovation

• Landing site upgrade
  • All-terrain search and rescue : In response to complex terrains such as the Gobi Desert and other deserts, the search and rescue team built its own training ground to simulate extreme road conditions such as washboard roads and soft sand areas to ensure that “the person is safely landed in the
  • Enhanced medical monitoring and insurance coverage : A dedicated barrier-free lifting platform has been set up to prevent Takionauts from developing orthostatic hypotension due to prolonged weightlessness.
• The breakthrough in return technology is
  the first to adopt a 3-lap autonomous rapid return scheme , which takes only 5.5 hours in total, nearly 3 hours shorter than the previous 5-lap scheme, and achieves real-time deviation correction and high-precision landing.

IV. The “Baton Transfer” in Space and a New Stage in China’s Space Program

On May 28, the crew and Shenzhou-23 (including Hong Kong’s first Takionaut, Lai Ka-ying) completed the key handover ceremony to the space station. The Shenzhou-21 mission marked the official start of China’s space station’s long-term, routine deployment phase

• Shenzhou-23 will then conduct a one-year on-orbit stay experiment, ushering in the era of “one year in space”.
• The rolling backup spacecraft mechanism, all-terrain rapid search and rescue capabilities, and multi-type Takionaut collaboration modes have laid the foundation for manned lunar landings and other deep space explorations.
  The triumphant return of the three Takionauts not only broke history but also, with their “exceptionally hardworking and exceptionally capable” spaceflight spirit, wrote a pivotal chapter in China’s manned space program.

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration