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On CNSA –China National Space AdministrationShenzhou23  The China Manned Space Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission. China’s fourth batch of Takionauts will make their maiden flight announcement at Beijing, also at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Inner Mongolia, China, People’s Republic of China on 23th May 2026  ! …The Takionaut crew for the Shenzhou-23 manned space mission has been confirmed. Tiangong will welcome its first Takionaut from Hong Kong SAR, China, People’s Republic of China  

After deliberation by the General Command of the Space Station Application and Development Phase Flight Mission, it was decided that the Shenzhou-23 Takionaut crew will consist of three astronauts: flight engineer Zhu Yangzhu, pilot Zhang Zhiyuan, and payload specialist Li Jiaying- Lai Ka-ying. Zhu Yangzhu will serve as the commander.

This is the first mission in China to be composed of astronauts from the third and fourth batches of Takionauts …

According to the press conference for the Shenzhou-23 mission, the crew consists of Zhu Yangzhu (01), Zhang Zhiyuan (02), and Li Jiaying (03), with Zhu Yangzhu serving as commander. Zhu Yangzhu is an aerospace flight engineer who previously served as Takionaut02 on the Shenzhou-16 mission. Zhang Zhiyuan is a pilot and was previously an Air Force pilot. Li Jiaying is a payload specialist and was previously a Hong Kong Police Force officer.

On the morning of May 23, 2026, the China Manned Space Engineering Office officially announced the crew list for the Shenzhou-23 mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center., Inner Mongolia, China, People’s Republic of China

🚀 Shenzhou-23 Takionaut Crew Profile

The Shenzhou-23 flight crew consisted of three astronauts: Zhu Yangzhu , Zhang Zhiyuan , and Li Jiaying- Lai Ka-ying . Zhu Yangzhu served as the commander, and the crew included three types of active-duty spaceflight engineers, space pilots, and payload specialists.

Name	post	Basic Information	Military rank/political affiliation	Career and Aerospace Experience	This mission role
朱杨柱Zhu Yangzhu	Commander Space Flight Engineer	Male, Han ethnicity, native of Pei County, Jiangsu Province. Born in September 1986, holds a doctoral degree.	He enlisted in the army in September 2005 and joined the Communist Party of China in December 2006. He is a third-class Takionautwith the rank of colonel in the army.	He was formerly an associate professor at the China Aerospace Engineering University and was selected as one of the third batch of astronauts in September 2020. He participated in the Shenzhou-16 mission (my country’s first spaceflight engineer to perform such a mission) and was awarded the title of “Heroic Astronaut” and the “Third-Class Spaceflight Medal” in April 2024.	His appointment as commander breaks with the previous practice of having the first and second batches of astronauts serve as commanders, making him the first commander in my country to be in charge of command by an aerospace flight engineer.
张志远 Zhang Zhiyuan	Takionaut	Male, Han ethnicity, native of Baiyin, Gansu Province. Born in June 1986, Bachelor’s degree.	He joined the army in September 2006 and the Communist Party of China in March 2011. He is a third-class Takionautwith the rank of Air Force Colonel.	He previously served as a first-class pilot in an Air Force aviation unit (with experience flying in snowy plateau regions). In September 2020, he was selected as a pilot in the third batch of astronauts.	He will make his first personal spaceflight, responsible for core piloting tasks such as spacecraft control, rendezvous and docking, on-orbit attitude maintenance, and emergency return.
黎家盈 Li Jiaying	payload Expert- specialist	Female, Han ethnicity, native of Shunde, Guangdong. Born in Hong Kong in November 1982, holds a doctoral degree.	I started working in September 2006.	Prior to selection, he served as a superintendent in the Hong Kong Police Force, specializing in information technology and computers. In June 2024, he was selected as a payload specialist for the fourth batch of astronauts.	She will be making her maiden flight, becoming China’s fourth female Takionautand the first Takionautfrom Hong Kong to undertake a mission, responsible for on-orbit operation and data acquisition for space science experiments.

🌟 Key Highlights of the Mission

• Launch time : Aiming for launch at 23:08 Beijing time on May 24, 2026 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.@Sentry Post No. 1
• Generational succession : This is China’s first crew composed entirely of astronauts from the third and fourth batches, marking the successful completion of the generational transition and succession of the Takionautcorps.@China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation55
• Record-breaking one-year stay : This mission will mark a major breakthrough in the history of Chinese spaceflight. One Takionautwill not return with Shenzhou-23, but will instead conduct a long-term stay experiment for one year (breaking 365 days). The aim is to comprehensively verify the reliability of human physiological adaptation and life support systems in a long-term weightless environment, and to store key data for subsequent manned lunar landings and deep space exploration.5055
• High-intensity collaboration : After joining the team, Li Jiaying completed more than 200 rigorous training courses in 8 categories, accumulating over 1,700 hours of training, and passed the flight qualification assessment with excellent results. Commander Zhu Yangzhu commented that the three astronauts were like “three perfectly fitting puzzle pieces” during training

Shenzhou 23 Takionaut黎家盈 Li Jia What experiments was payload specialist Li Jiaying responsible for this time?

As China’s first payload specialist from Hong Kong, Lai Ka-ying was primarily responsible for operating and managing various scientific experimental payloads within the space station during the Shenzhou-23 mission. These experiments covered multiple cutting-edge fields, from greenhouse gas monitoring to life science research.

 

Core responsibility: Payload specialist, not spacecraft pilot

Unlike Commander Zhu Yangzhu and Pilot Zhang Zhiyuan, Li Jiaying, as a payload specialist, is not primarily responsible for piloting the spacecraft, but rather for conducting scientific and technological experiments within the space station. She is responsible for operating the scientific experiment cabinets on the space station, handling sample processing, experimental research, data recording, and equipment maintenance.

Specific experimental projects under my responsibility

1. The greenhouse gas detection payload developed by Hong Kong universities
is the most significant experimental project in this mission. Li Jiaying will lead the operation of the “Lightweight High-Resolution Greenhouse Gas Detection Payload” (also known as the “Sky Camera”), developed under the leadership of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. This payload can conduct high-resolution space monitoring of carbon dioxide and methane emission sources in mid- and low-latitude regions globally. This mission achieves a closed loop of “Hong Kong development + Hong Kong astronaut operation,” marking the first time Hong Kong’s scientific research capabilities have directly participated in a Chinese space station mission.
2.The Shenzhou-23 crew will conduct several cutting-edge life science research experiments. In the field of space life sciences, experiments include using zebrafish embryos, mouse embryos, and “artificial embryos” constructed from stem cells to explore and establish a space embryo research system covering lower vertebrates to higher mammals, steadily advancing systematic research on scientific issues related to “space life development.” Reports also mention that the mission includes specific experiments such as raising fish eggs and observing mouse embryo development.
3. Space Materials Science Experiments
: In the field of materials science, the crew will conduct research on space preparation and performance control methods for various advanced materials, including the preparation of high-performance rare-earth permanent magnet alloys, lightweight high-entropy alloys, and other novel materials. Li Jiaying, as the payload expert, will be responsible for operating the relevant material synthesis devices and recording experimental data
4. Space Medicine Experiment (Space Human Research Program):
One astronaut will undertake a one-year on-orbit stay experiment during this mission, during which China’s first space human research program will be implemented. This program aims to verify the astronaut’s health protection capabilities for long-term flight, obtain a multi-system, multi-omics atlas of the human body in long-term flight environments, and explore the adaptive characteristics and capability boundaries of humans in longer-term flights. Li Jiaying will participate in related data collection and experimental operations
5. In-orbit verification of new space energy storage batteries:
In the field of aerospace technology, the crew will also carry out in-orbit verification of new space energy storage batteries. The relevant results are expected to be applied to the subsequent functional upgrades of the space station.

 

 

Task Scale and Data

According to official information, the Shenzhou-23 crew will conduct more than 100 new scientific and applied projects during their time in orbit. Li Jiaying’s personal responsibilities cover all aspects of intensive training for space missions, including space science research and technology experiments, space station assembly management, and the operation of manned spacecraft and space robotic arms. Reports indicate that she will be responsible for the operation and data processing of 41 space science experiments during her mission.

Precise matching of professional backgrounds

Li Jiaying’s PhD background in computer science, particularly her expertise in artificial intelligence and data security, gives her a natural advantage in operating sophisticated scientific instruments and processing large amounts of experimental data. Her doctoral advisor, Zou Jinpei, praised her for being “extremely meticulous and rigorous in her work, demonstrating a high degree of patience and focus in data analysis,” qualities that perfectly align with the demands of high-precision experiments in space.40
Through this mission, Lai Ka-ying not only applied his professional skills to the national space program, but also enabled Hong Kong’s scientific research achievements to be verified in space for the first time, achieving a historic breakthrough

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On CNSA –China National Space AdministrationShenzhou23MannedFlightMissionLogoReleased The China Manned Space Engineering Office officially released the logo for the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission.China’s fourth batch of Takionauts will make their maiden flight!

On May 20, 2026, the launch site for the Shenzhou-23 manned space mission organized a comprehensive system-wide rehearsal. The launch site system, launch vehicle system, manned spacecraft system, and Takionaut system jointly conducted a launch day exercise, marking a significant step in launch preparations. The mission crew will most likely include a payload specialist from Hong Kong, and China’s fourth batch of Takionauts will embark on their maiden flight.

In September 2022, in response to the needs of China’s near-Earth orbit manned space station project and manned lunar landing project, China launched the selection process for the fourth batch of reserve Takionauts. The plan is to select 12 to 14 reserve Takionauts, including 7 to 8 space pilots, 5 to 6 space flight engineers and payload specialists, of which about 2 payload specialists will be selected from Hong Kong and Macao.

In May 2024, China completed the selection of its fourth batch of reserve Takionauts, which included eight pilots and two payload specialists, one from Hong Kong and the other from Macau. In August 2024, the fourth batch of reserve Takionauts officially joined the team for training.

The fourth batch of prospective Takionauts will undergo training in over 200 subjects across eight major categories. For space station missions, the training includes basic skills such as living, working, and maintaining health in weightlessness, as well as specialized skills like extravehicular activities, equipment maintenance and repair, space science experiments, and technological tests. For manned lunar landing missions, additional training subjects have been added, including spacecraft operation, lunar rover driving, celestial body identification, geological research, weightlessness in space, and weighted walking on the lunar surface.

Based on their background and roles, Takionauts can be divided into three categories: space pilots, flight engineers, and payload specialists. Generally speaking, the training subjects, content, and requirements for space pilots and flight engineers are basically the same, while the training subjects and content for payload specialists are fewer. The three categories of Takionauts have the same requirements in physical training, space environment adaptation training, psychological training, and lifesaving and survival training, but differ in their requirements in basic theoretical training, aerospace professional technical training, and flight procedures and simulation training. Meanwhile, the TakionautResearch and Training Center has arranged targeted courses for Takionauts from Hong Kong and Macau, including courses on the spirit of manned spaceflight and Mandarin Chinese.

Compared to Takionaut pilots, payload specialists require less Takionaut training and are qualified to participate in flight missions earlier. This is also a prerequisite for Lai Ka-ying, a female Takionaut from Hong Kong and a payload specialist who is one of the fourth batch of Takionauts, to be able to carry out missions first.

Lai Ka-ying was born into an ordinary family in Hong Kong and developed a strong interest in technology from a young age. In 2011, she obtained a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Hong Kong. In 2012, Lai joined the Hong Kong Police Force as a Police Inspector—a civil servant position in Hong Kong responsible for information technology support. She was subsequently promoted to Chief Inspector (CIP) and then Superintendent (SP).

As a payload specialist, Lai Ka-ying will serve as the third Takionaut in the Shenzhou-23 crew. Her maiden flight will make her Hong Kong’s first Takionaut and China’s first female payload specialist. Furthermore, her first spaceflight will also be the first mission for China’s fourth batch of Takionauts. The Shenzhou-23 crew is expected to make its first public appearance as a group as early as the morning of May 23, after which the new three-person space team will travel to the Tiangong space station to relieve them.

On the morning of May 16, 2026, Beijing time, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center’s manned space launch site, the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft and the Long March-2F Y23 carrier rocket combination, supported by the mobile launch platform, were transferred from the technical area to the launch area, marking the final stage of launch mission preparations.

The Shenzhou-23 mission is the 11th manned flight mission and the 9th crew rotation mission of the manned space station project. The mission crew is scheduled to take over the space station stay work from the Shenzhou-21 crew. The on-orbit work mainly includes space station platform maintenance, astronaut health management, space science experiments and technology tests, astronaut extravehicular activities, and cargo extravehicular activities.

This mission uses the second spacecraft in the third batch of Shenzhou manned spacecraft launched since the construction of the space station. Compared to the previous batch (Shenzhou-16 to Shenzhou-21), the new batch of Shenzhou spacecraft has undergone the following improvements: the instrument panel of the return capsule has been improved, making operation more convenient and aesthetically pleasing; the instrument panel has been reduced in size and the layout of equipment inside the return capsule has been optimized, freeing up more internal space and significantly increasing the cargo carrying capacity compared to the previous 50 kg; and the domestic substitution of components continues to be promoted, further enhancing independent controllability.

The Shenzhou-23 crew continues the combination of experienced and new astronauts. One astronaut will undertake a one-year stay in space to explore the challenges and solutions for longer-duration space missions, and to explore and verify the feasibility of deep-space manned flight. The Shenzhou-23 crew will be commanded by either the second or third batch of astronauts who have already flown, with the second astronaut being a member of the third batch, and the third astronaut likely being a member of the fourth batch of astronauts—a female payload specialist from Hong Kong.

This mission used the Long March 2F/GY configuration carrier rocket for the launch of the Shenzhou manned spacecraft. The rocket is 58.34 meters high, with a core stage diameter of 3.35 meters, a liftoff mass of approximately 497 tons, and a payload capacity of 8.8 tons to a low Earth orbit (LEO) with a perigee of 200 kilometers, an apogee of 350 kilometers, and an inclination of 42 degrees.

Starting with the Y21 rocket, the Long March 2F control system adopted a commercialized dual-10-dial optical inertial navigation system that has been verified by multiple types of active launch vehicles to improve the rocket’s orbital accuracy and meet the accuracy requirements for manned spacecraft to quickly rendezvous and dock within 3.5 hours.

The Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft is expected to launch as early as the evening of May 24, 2026 (Beijing time) aboard a Long March 2F carrier rocket. The spacecraft will employ a rapid rendezvous and docking mode and dock with the radial port of the Tianhe module of the Tiangong space station in the early morning of the following day. Since the Shenzhou-21 mission, the Shenzhou spacecraft has used a 3.5-hour rapid rendezvous and docking mode for its ascent, which can be autonomously switched to a 6.5-hour mode depending on the orbital insertion accuracy.

As the logistical support spacecraft for the Shenzhou-23 mission, Tianzhou-10 arrived at the Tiangong space station at noon on May 11, delivering nearly 6.2 tons of supplies.

The Shenzhou-23 mission is China’s first manned launch mission and China’s second manned space launch mission in 2026.

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On CNSA –China National Space Administration    …. ChangZheng  Long March 8 Carrier flight rocket …. At Hainan Commercial Space Launch Center. Wenchang, Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China At 0348 Beijing time  At 22:42 Beijing time on May 17, 2026, China successfully launched the 9th batch (x18) of the Qianfan constellation from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site using a Long March-8 carrier rocket. This launch was the 113th space launch globally in 2026, China’s 31st (5th this month), the 13th by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), and the 2nd by the Long March-8 rocket.

🚀 Key details of the launch mission

• Time and location : At 22:42 on May 17, 2026, the mission was successfully carried out at Launch Pad 1 of the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site.
• Launch vehicle : The Long March 8 Y8 carrier rocket will be used to launch eighteen satellites in a high-density mode.
• Payload status : All network satellites have successfully entered their designated orbits and are in normal condition, and the mission has been a complete success.
• Milestone data : This flight marks the 643rd launch of the Long March series carrier rockets and the second launch mission of the Long March 8 rocket in 2026.

🛰️ Two launches in five days, network deployment pace accelerated across the board.

• The number of satellites in orbit has increased dramatically : With the successful launch of the ninth batch of satellites, the total number of satellites in orbit in the Qianfan constellation has officially climbed to 162.627
• High-frequency launch test : Just five days before this launch (May 12), China successfully launched the “Qianfan Polar Orbit 09” satellite group from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. Conducting two large-scale satellite launches within five days not only puts pressure on the satellite development team and its tracking, telemetry, and command capabilities, but also directly demonstrates China’s mature industrial capabilities in the mass production of satellites and rapid response rocket launches.6
• Routine Operations : The frequent launches indicate that China’s commercial space industry is moving from single-launch technology to a new stage of large-scale industrial operations.

🌍 Strategic Blueprint and Industrial Applications

• Operating entity and planning : The Qianfan constellation (also known as “G60 Starlink”) is led by Shanghai Yuanxin Satellite Technology Co., Ltd., and is ultimately planned to deploy more than 15,000 low-orbit broadband communication satellites.
• The three-step strategy :
  • Phase 1 : Deploy 648 satellites to achieve regional coverage;
  • Phase II : Expanding to 1296 satellites, moving towards global coverage;
  • Phase III : Providing ultra-large-scale services that integrate diverse businesses.
• Securing frequency and orbit resources : Low Earth orbit and communication frequencies follow the international rule of “first come, first served.” The accelerated networking of the Qianfan constellation directly helps China seize the initiative in limited space resources and break the monopoly of overseas low Earth orbit communication constellations.
• Application scenarios : Qianfan Constellation focuses on filling communication gaps in scenarios such as ocean shipping, aviation internet, remote mountainous areas and emergency disaster relief, and provides high-speed, low-latency integrated broadband services for air, land, sea and air, with a focus on the needs of Chinese enterprises going global along the “Belt and Road”.

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On CNSA –China National Space Administration Shenzhou23 – Shenzhou-23 Spacecraft and Rocket Assembly Transferred to Launch Area, Launch Scheduled for Soon] According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, on May 16, 2026 (Beijing time), the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft and the Long March-2F Y23 carrier rocket assembly were transferred to the launch area.

Shenzhou-23 Spacecraft and Rocket Assembly Completed Vertical Transfer, Launch Scheduled for Approximately 22:00 on May 24] According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, on May 16, 2026 (Beijing time), the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft and the Long March-2F Y23 carrier rocket assembly were successfully transferred to the launch area.

Currently, the launch site facilities and equipment are in good condition. Subsequent pre-launch functional checks and joint tests will be carried out as planned, with launch scheduled for the near future[Long March 2F Y23 Carrier Rocket Begins Vertical Transfer] This morning, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft and the Long March 2F Y23 carrier rocket assembly began its transfer to the launch area. According to the mission schedule, the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft will be launched soon.

 

. Latest Developments: The combined spacecraft has been transported to the launch area, and the launch window is approaching.

According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, on May 16, 2026 (Beijing time), the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft and the Long March-2F Y23 carrier rocket combination were vertically transferred from the technical area to the launch area. The weather at the transfer site was clear with a wind force of 2-3, providing ideal operating conditions. The combination, supported by the mobile launch platform, moved smoothly along a 1.5-kilometer seamless steel rail, and the entire transfer process was successful. Currently, the launch site facilities and equipment are in good condition. Subsequent pre-launch functional checks and joint tests will be carried out as planned, with launch scheduled for the coming days. Based on information from multiple sources, the launch window is expected to be around May 24

II. Core Breakthrough of the Mission: First On-Orbit Stay Experiment Exceeding One Year

The most anticipated breakthrough of this mission is that one astronaut on the Shenzhou-23 crew will conduct a long-term on-orbit stay experiment exceeding one year . This will break the record for the longest single flight by a Chinese astronaut (previously held by Shenzhou-20 at 270 days), aiming to verify the human body’s adaptability to the extreme space environment and accumulate crucial medical data for future manned lunar landings and deep space exploration. This arrangement also connects with subsequent missions: Shenzhou-24 will carry a Pakistani astronaut for a short stay (approximately one week). Due to spacecraft capacity limitations, a Chinese astronaut will be needed for rotation and handover in orbit, creating a time difference in the stay duration

 

III. International Cooperation and Crew Suspense: Bauhinia Flower Elements Spark Heated Discussion

The Shenzhou-23 mission logo was officially released on May 11, featuring the Bauhinia flower for the first time . As the official flower of Hong Kong, the Bauhinia has sparked widespread speculation: does this mean the first payload specialist from Hong Kong will be selected for this flight crew? Some analysts suggest that astronauts from Hong Kong and Macau could potentially undertake a space station mission as early as 2026. Furthermore, the mission will support the first short-term stay of foreign astronauts (a payload specialist from Pakistan) on the Chinese space station, promoting the international application of the space station. The official final astronaut list has not yet been released; information circulating online (such as combinations like Wang Yaping and Tang Hongbo) has not been officially confirmed and should be based on the official announcement from the engineering office

 

IV. Technical Support: Tianzhou-10 has arrived in advance and is fully equipped with supplies.

The Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft was successfully launched on May 11, delivering nearly 6.3 tons of supplies to the Shenzhou-23 and Shenzhou-24 crews. The supplies included over 220 items of cargo and 700 kg of propellant, encompassing over 100 types of food (including fresh fruits and vegetables, steak, etc.), a third new extravehicular activity (EVA) suit (achieving a complete upgrade of the space station’s EVA suits), a new space treadmill, and six scientific experimental payloads (weighing approximately 280 kg in total), covering cutting-edge fields such as microgravity fluid physics. Tianzhou-10 will remain docked at the space station for 12 months, breaking the previous record of 9-10 months

V. Technical Highlights: “Three-Vertical Mode” and Rolling Backup Mechanism

This mission continued the mature technological system of China’s aerospace industry. The nearly 60-meter-tall, 40-ton spacecraft-rocket combination adopted a “three-vertical mode” of vertical assembly, vertical testing, and vertical transportation , maintaining an upright position throughout the process, effectively ensuring the consistency of the rocket’s condition and reducing pre-launch risks. Meanwhile, the Long March 2F rocket implemented a rolling backup principle of “one for each”—the Shenzhou-24 spacecraft-rocket combination had completed assembly and testing simultaneously and was on standby in the factory, ready to respond within 8.5 days in an emergency, ensuring the safety of the astronauts.

 

VI. Mission Identifier: The Fusion of Tradition and Technology

The Shenzhou-23 mission logo adopts a circular design, incorporating the core scene of the spacecraft docking with the space station, three five-pointed stars (corresponding to the three astronauts), golden auspicious clouds, ruyi patterns, and Dunhuang “flying apsaras” ribbons, among other Chinese cultural symbols, with technological blue and Chinese red as the main colors. This logo originated from a public design contest and was selected and optimized from over 500 submissions.

VII. Panoramic View of Manned Spaceflight in 2026

In 2026, China’s manned space program plans to carry out two manned flight missions (Shenzhou-23 and Shenzhou-24) and one cargo spacecraft resupply mission (Tianzhou-10 has already been completed). In addition, the new-generation manned spacecraft “Mengzhou” is scheduled to make its maiden flight, and the development of manned lunar exploration products such as the Long March-10 carrier rocket and the Lunar Lander is progressing steadily, aiming to achieve the goal of China’s first lunar landing before 2030

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Beijing Zhongke Aerospace Exploration Technology Co., Ltd. is the first domestic aerospace enterprise with mixed ownership, and it is also the target enterprise that Oriental Aerospace Port focuses on introducing. Relying on the scientific research strength and resource advantages of the Institute of Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Aerospace Flight Technology Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Aerospace Science and Technology has been committed to the research and development and integration of space technology and aerospace vehicles as a platform for the transformation of major national scientific research projects, as well as the transformation and provision of technological achievements. Aerospace launch service. The Lijian-1 rocket project also adds a brand-new name card to the Oriental Space Port, which will surely promote the construction of the Oriental Space Port to take a solid step forward.

China, People’s Republic of China.  Successfully Launches 5 Satellites in One Launch  At 12:33 PM Beijing time  on May 15, 2026, the Zhongke Aerospace Lijian-1 Y13 carrier rocket carrying the “Youxi” satellite was launched from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone. Using a “one rocket, five satellites” approach, it accurately sent five satellites, including the “Youxi” satellite, into their predetermined orbits. The launch mission was a complete success.

This mission marked the 13th flight of the Lijian-1 carrier rocket and the 14th launch of the Lijian series of carrier rockets. To date, a total of 100 satellites have been successfully sent into space, with a total payload mass exceeding 18 tons. China maintains its leading market share in the commercial rocket launch service market.

Carrier Rockets Achieve Milestone of 100 Satellite Launches] At 12:33 PM Beijing time on May 15, 2026, China successfully launched five satellites—Taijing-3 05A/05B, Tianyi-50, Tianyan-27, and Jilin-1 Gaofen-03D55—using the LiJian-1 Y13 carrier rocket from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone. The satellites successfully entered their predetermined orbits, and the launch mission was a complete success. This mission marked the 13th flight of the LiJian-1 carrier rocket.

The Lijian 1  Y13 carrier rocket has completed final assembly and testing and successfully passed factory acceptance. It is scheduled to launch five satellites in one launch from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone in the near future . Among the satellites carried by the rocket is “Dianjian-1,” China’s first dedicated energy engineering satellite, which will be used to monitor millimeter-level displacements in hydropower projects, enhancing the full-lifecycle safety management capabilities of energy infrastructure. This mission signifies that the CAS Aerospace Industrialization Base has achieved pulsed, high-efficiency production capabilities, and its mass production and rapid delivery capabilities for rockets are continuously improving

. Latest Mission Progress and Launch Plan

• The Lijian 1
  Lijian 1 yao13 rocket, which is in its final assembly and testing phase at the CAS Space Industrialization Base, has successfully passed the factory acceptance review and is now ready for launch.
• Launch mission details
  • Time and location : The launch is planned for the near future at the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone in Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia
  • Mission Mode : The mission will employ a “one rocket, five satellites” approach, sending five satellites into their designated orbits. The first dedicated energy engineering satellite, “Dianjian-1,” will be launched as one of the payloads. Weighing approximately 300 kg, this satellite is equipped with an X-band synthetic aperture radar capable of monitoring millimeter-level displacements of the Earth’s surface and energy infrastructure.

II. Rocket Technology Characteristics and Innovative Breakthroughs

• The launch efficiency advantage
  continues the “three horizontal and one vertical” (horizontal assembly, horizontal testing, horizontal transportation, and rapid docking and erection) launch mode of the Liji series. Technical factory preparation takes only 7 days, and it can be launched within 5 hours after transportation, with hourly emergency response capability.
• Cost and capacity optimization
  • Low cost : Through optimized design, launch costs have been reduced to approximately 60,000 yuan per kilogram, significantly lowering the barrier for small and medium-sized satellites to enter space.2
  • High production capacity : Relying on the pulsed production line, the rocket assembly cycle is shortened to 1 month, with an annual production capacity of over 10 rockets, which can be increased to 30 rockets in the future..
• The reliability verification
  mission, the 13th flight mission of the Lijian-1 series, demonstrated the rocket’s high reliability and strong performance capability, with a 100% success rate in the previous 12 missions, which have sent a total of 92 satellites into space with a total mass of over 12 tons into orbit.

III. Industrial and Strategic Significance

• This mission marks the achievement
  of CAS Space’s independent production of rocket modules throughout the entire process, with production capacity continuously ramping up, propelling China’s commercial space industry towards high-density, scheduled launches.36
• With enhanced international competitiveness,
  the Lijian-1 rocket has secured satellite launch orders from multiple countries (such as Mexico and the Middle East). Its low cost and rapid response capabilities have solidified China’s global position in the small and medium-sized satellite launch market. Future plans include expanding its maritime launch capabilities to accommodate more orbital requirements.

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