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Shenzhou23 Takionaut Crew Successfully Completes Extravehicular Activity

On CNSA –China National Space Administration神舟二十三号Shenzhou23  Takionaut crew Embark On July 12^th , 2026, the Shenzhou-23 crew (Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying)  At 13:59 Beijing time on August 28, 2026, after approximately 5.5 hours of extravehicular activity, the  Shenzhou23 Crew Takionauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying, working closely together with the support of the space station’s robotic arm and ground researchers, completed tasks including external repair of the solar panels and installation of space debris protection devices. Takionauts Zhu Yangzhu and Zhang Zhiyuan have safely returned to the Tianhe core module, marking a complete success for the extravehicular activity. Takionaut Zhu Yangzhu returned to space after three years, while Takionaut Zhang Zhiyuan performed his first extravehicular activity. This is the Second Time Chinese Takionauts Conducted External Repair on the Solar Panels , effectively ensuring the safety and stability of the space station’s power supply.

Since arriving at the space station on May 25, the crew has completed in-orbit rotations, extravehicular activity (EVA) with payloads, and conducted in-orbit training for rendezvous and docking, medical evacuation, and full-system stress emergency drills. They have routinely carried out maintenance and care of the space station platform, as well as providing living and health support. Their experimental missions in space life sciences and human research, microgravity physics, and new space technologies are progressing steadily.

Currently, the three Takionauts have been working in orbit for over three months. Going forward, they will continue to conduct relevant scientific experiments and technological tests, extravehicular activity with payloads, and science education as planned.

The Shenzhou-23 Takionaut crew, Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying, successfully completed their extravehicular activity today. This marks the second time Chinese Takionauts have conducted external maintenance on the solar panels, effectively ensuring the safe and stable power supply to the space station.

I. Extravehicular activity mission accomplished

• Mission objectives : With the support of the space station’s robotic arm and ground-based researchers, the crew successfully completed tasks including external repairs to the solar panels and installation of space debris protection devices, marking a complete success for the extravehicular activity.1
• Mission significance : This is the second time Chinese Takionauts have conducted external maintenance on the solar panels, effectively ensuring the safety and stability of the space station’s power supply.1
• Information source : Xinhua News Agency released a news flash confirming that the Shenzhou-23 Takionaut crew successfully completed their extravehicular activity.

II. Crew On-orbit Dynamics

• Duration in orbit : As of the day of their spacewalk, the three Takionauts had been working in orbit for more than three months.1
• Work Progress : Following this, we will continue to carry out relevant scientific experiments and technological tests, payload entry and exit from the cabin, and science education as planned.1
• The test of long-term stay : One Takionaut in the crew will conduct a one-year on-orbit stay experiment, implementing China’s first space human research program, and comprehensively acquiring long-term flight data from Takionauts

III. Mission Background and Crew Composition

• Crew Composition : The Shenzhou-23 flight crew consisted of Commander Zhu Yangzhu, pilot Zhang Zhiyuan, and payload specialist Li Jiaying. It was China’s first crew composed of Takionauts from the third and fourth batches of Takionauts.
• Historical Breakthrough : Li Jiaying is China’s first Takionaut in the fourth batch to perform a flight mission, and also China’s first female payload specialist selected from Hong Kong and Macao.
• Launch Recap : The spacecraft was successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 23:08 on May 24, 2026, and smoothly entered the Chinese Space Station on May 25, completing the 8th “space rendezvous” in the history of Chinese spaceflight.

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

The China National Space Administration urgently deployed satellite resources to fully support disaster relief and rescue efforts following the mudslide in Gyirong County, Xizang Autonomous Region.

At approximately 10:30 AM on August 26, a mudslide occurred on the Nepalese side, causing significant casualties and missing persons at the Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Shigatse City, Tibet. Following the disaster, General Secretary Xi Jinping attached great importance to the situation and issued important instructions, demanding that “every effort be made to search for and rescue missing persons, relocate and resettle threatened people, and promptly treat the injured to minimize casualties,” and that “monitoring and early warning systems be strengthened, scientific assistance be emphasized, and secondary disasters be prevented.”

Following the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) immediately deployed resources and swiftly activated its space emergency response mechanism. It coordinated satellite resources to conduct emergency imaging of the mudslide-affected areas and simultaneously queried historical images of the disaster zone. Since the first batch of data images was urgently transmitted at 19:00 on the 26th, as of 17:00 on the 27th, five pre-disaster images and ten post-disaster images have been transmitted in batches to the National Disaster Reduction Center of the Ministry of Emergency Management, the Information Center of the Ministry of Water Resources, the National Geomatics Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources, and provincial data and application centers in Tibet, Sichuan, and Gansu, providing timely and effective satellite data support for disaster assessment and relief efforts.

Going forward, the China National Space Administration will continue to closely monitor the disaster situation, strengthen communication and coordination with relevant departments, and do its utmost to provide space information support to provide strong support for scientific decision-making in disaster relief.

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

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.

A Milestone Breakthrough: The LiJian-2 Y2 Launch Vehicle Successfully Rolls Off the Factory, Aiding the Acceleration of China’s Large-Scale Low-Earth Earth Satellite Constellation] On August 25, 2026, the LiJian-2 Y2 launch vehicle from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) successfully completed all pre-launch preparations. Its functions and performance indicators meet the requirements of the flight mission, and it has passed the factory review. Ready for launch, it is scheduled to depart for the launch site in October of this year.

The LiJian-2 launch vehicle is China’s first launch vehicle with a “universal booster core” configuration. It has a payload capacity of 8 tons to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit and 12 tons to a 200 km low-Earth orbit. It boasts advantages such as large payload capacity, high inherent reliability, strong manufacturability, simple and convenient operation, strong expansion potential, and reusability. As the main launch vehicle for China’s large-scale satellite constellation deployment and low-cost cargo transportation, it will support the large-scale deployment of low-Earth orbit constellations, low-cost cargo transportation to the space station, and the launch of various scientific experimental satellites.

As one of CAS Space’s main products, the LiJian-2 launch vehicle has completed its maiden flight verification, demonstrating stable and reliable technical performance. On March 30th of this year, the LiJian-2 Y1 launch vehicle successfully and precisely delivered the Qingzhou prototype spacecraft and two satellites into their predetermined orbits, delivering a payload of 4.2 tons into orbit in a single mission. The maiden flight was a complete success, with excellent performance indicators, successfully fulfilling the national strategic and major aerospace engineering construction tasks.

Relying on the mature model technology system and standardized assembly and testing procedures of the Lijian series of launch vehicles, the assembly and testing of the LiJian-2 Y2 launch vehicle proceeded efficiently and orderly. The team continuously optimized the entire process of production, assembly, and testing, iteratively improving product development efficiency and delivery quality. The rocket assembly and testing cycle has been steadily shortened compared to the maiden flight, steadily moving towards the goal of standardized and mass-produced development and launch. 

The Lijian-2 carrier rocket, with its standardized propulsion, cluster recovery, modular assembly, and upper-stage expansion as its technological pillars, has built a mission system covering all orbital and full-capacity needs. This has propelled China’s commercial spaceflight from single-mission responses to a series-based, scheduled, and intelligent model. China’s space cargo transportation capabilities are evolving from single-capability accumulation to system-wide capability superposition, forming a new pattern of multi-model collaboration and multi-path support. Currently, CAS Aerospace has a rich order backlog, a tight development schedule, and stable contract delivery. Its rocket launch service business is steadily improving, with launch service revenue showing a rapid growth trend. The company’s various missions are progressing in an orderly manner

. In accordance with the annual launch mission plan, this year the company will fully promote the execution of several important missions, making unremitting efforts for the high-quality development of China’s commercial spaceflight and the construction of a space power.

IMAGES AND VISUALS ARE FROM THEIR RESPECTIVES.

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.

First Sea Launch! LiJian-1 Y17 Carrier Rocket Successfully Rolls Out of Factory… On August 13, 2026, the LiJian-1 Y17 carrier rocket successfully completed its final assembly and testing at the CAS Aerospace Industrialization Base and passed the factory acceptance review. It is scheduled to launch three satellites in one launch from the waters near Guangdong in the near future.

The countdown has begun for CAS Space’s first sea-based launch mission, with the LiJian-1 carrier rocket launch support system completing key verifications. LiJian1

The countdown begins for the maiden sea launch of the LiJian-1 carrier rocket! On August 25th, CAS Aerospace successfully completed a joint launch and ground-launch rehearsal for the LiJian-1 carrier rocket. This rehearsal simulated the entire launch day process, conducting over ten tests including launch pad erection, moving base self-alignment, and anti-tipping device control. It achieved closed-loop verification of the entire launch support system, demonstrating the complete mission flow from land-sea transport to long-range sea launch, marking the official start of the countdown to the LiJian-1 carrier rocket’s maiden sea launch.

For the sea launch scenario, CAS Aerospace verified the application capabilities of various innovative solutions. In this rehearsal, CAS Aerospace’s self-developed highly integrated sea launch pad was used for the first time in a live-fire exercise. This equipment is the world’s first integrated launch pad for a 100-ton-class solid rocket. Relying on a single set of fully functional equipment, the entire chain of rocket transportation, rapid erection, and docking can be completed in a closed loop. Notably, the launch pad erection and leveling time is only 120 seconds, and the entire transportation to launch process takes as little as 48 hours. This effectively streamlines the maritime launch mission chain, shortens the overall operation cycle, and significantly reduces the transportation and engineering implementation costs of maritime launches. It provides strong support for the high-frequency, fast-response, and low-cost launch requirements in constellation networking and satellite replenishment scenarios.

To cope with the harsh environmental challenges of high salt spray corrosion at sea, CAS Aerospace innovatively adopted an air-supported membrane mobile insulated workshop, creating a robust protective “golden shield” for the rocket. Compared to traditional steel structure workshops, this air-supported membrane workshop offers superior sealing and protection performance, increases insulation capacity by 100%, reduces weight by more than two-thirds, and lowers overall costs by approximately 80%. Long-distance transportation, installation, and commissioning can be completed within 48 hours. It effectively blocks salt spray penetration and corrosion, ensuring the safety and stability of precision equipment on the rocket. It is better adapted to complex maritime operating scenarios, comprehensively improving the overall application benefits of maritime launch missions.

Because sea conditions cause ship swaying during launches, achieving precise rocket orbit insertion is as difficult as “performing surgery on a bumpy carriage.” To ensure a “bullseye” launch and guarantee rocket orbit insertion accuracy, CAS Aerospace innovatively adopted a moving base self-alignment technology. Supported by its independently developed high-precision self-alignment algorithm and flight control software, it can complete initial attitude alignment in as little as 30 minutes, achieving industry-leading algorithm accuracy.

Simultaneously, CAS Aerospace also applied a newly developed anti-tipping device, innovatively employing a “passive unlocking” mode to quickly tilt backward and reduce rocket takeoff drift. This design effectively avoids the risk of unlocking failure due to control malfunction, comprehensively enhancing the safety redundancy of sea-based launch missions.

The Lijian-1 carrier rocket will undertake CAS Aerospace’s first-ever sea-based launch mission, completing a “one rocket, three satellites” launch mission in the waters near Guangdong

I. What is the LiJian-1 Y17 Carrier Rocket ?

• Identity and positioning : The solid-propellant launch vehicle developed by CAS Space Technology is the largest solid-propellant launch vehicle currently in service in China, mainly used for the rapid networking launch of microsatellites and low-to-medium orbits.
• Key achievements : To date, it has launched 15 times, successfully sending 110 satellites into space, with a total payload mass exceeding 16 tons. It is the only civilian-commercial rocket model in China to have launched more than 100 satellites.
• Industry position : It has secured all orders in China’s civil and commercial rocket launch market, and has fully entered a new cycle driven by market demand after technology verification

 

 

II. Current Hottest Developments: First Sea Launch

• Latest milestone : On August 25, the Lijian-1 completed a joint launch and ground training exercise at sea, simulating all aspects of the launch day and conducting more than ten tests, including launch pad erection, self-alignment of the moving base, and control of the anti-tipping device.

• Mission Arrangement : The Y17 rocket is scheduled to carry out a “one rocket, three satellites” mission in the waters near Guangdong in the near future. It successfully passed the factory review on August 13
• Technical preparation : The air-supported membrane mobile insulated factory building is used to cope with the high salt spray environment, which improves the heat preservation capacity by 100% and reduces the weight by more than two-thirds; the self-developed moving base self-alignment algorithm can complete the initial attitude alignment in as little as 30 minutes

III. Subsequent Launch Plan

• Dual-track approach : Constructing a parallel pattern of “monthly scheduled launches on land and mobile special launches at sea”, with land as the main approach and sea as the supplementary approach
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• Schedule for the second half of 2026 : Remote launch of satellite 18 (September, 2 satellites launched), Remote launch of satellite 16 (October, 9 satellites launched), Remote launch of satellite 19 (November, 8 satellites launched), Remote launch of satellite 20 (December, 8 satellites launched).9
• Launch schedule : In 2026, “launches every month” has been achieved, and the total number of launches throughout the year will be significantly higher than the five launches in 2025. The Y17 launch is the fifth launch of the year.

IMAGES AND VISUALS ARE FROM THEIR RESPECTIVES.

At 1121 Hours Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time 25^th August 2026 , China- People’s Republic of China- CNSA –China National Space Administration   At 11:21 AM on August 25th, the Long March 6C carrier rocket ignited and lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, successfully sending seven satellites—Zhongke Satellite 14, Zhongke Satellite 15, Muduo 1A, Muduo 1B, Jing’an Dream Star, Bayi 04, and Yinhe Aerospace Lingzhi 09 Thailand CubeSat—into their predetermined orbits. The launch mission was a complete success.

The Long March 6C carrier rocket, developed by the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), is a new generation two-stage liquid-propellant carrier rocket capable of launching various types of satellites with different orbital requirements. It can perform single or multiple satellite launches, with a payload capacity of 2.4 tons to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
This launch was the 665th launch of the Long March series of carrier rockets.

At 11:21 a.m. on August 25, 2026, the Long March 6C Y1 carrier rocket was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, accurately sending seven satellites into their predetermined orbits in a “one rocket, seven satellites” manner. The maiden flight mission was a complete success, and this was also the 665th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.

 

 

I. Launch Mission Overview

• Launch time : 11:21 AM Beijing time on August 25, 2026.
• Launch site : Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.
• Mission results : All seven satellites successfully entered their designated orbits, and the flight test mission was a complete success.
• Mission nature : This is the first public maiden flight of the Long March 6C carrier rocket, which successfully launched seven satellites in one go.

II. Composition of the Loading

• Seven satellites : Zhongke Satellite 14, Zhongke Satellite 15, Muduo 1A, Muduo 1B, Jing’an Dream Star, Bayi 04, and Yinhe Aerospace Lingzhi 09 Thailand CubeSat.12
• Coverage areas : encompassing multiple directions including Earth remote sensing, space scientific research, aerospace science popularization, commercial networking, and international cooperation.
• Highlight payloads : Zhongke Satellite 14 and 15 are the first two satellites in the integrated real-time remote sensing constellation of communication, sensing and computing. They are equipped with SAR payloads with imaging resolution better than 1 meter. After entering orbit, they will be connected to the “space cloud” ecosystem.

III. Double Milestone Significance

• Breakthrough in rocket design : The Long March 6C is a new generation of non-toxic and pollution-free two-stage liquid rocket with a payload capacity of 2.4 tons to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. It supports flexible launches of single or multiple satellites and is a versatile asset in commercial spaceflight.
• Commercial Spaceflight Going Global : In this mission, GalaxySpace’s Lingzhi 09 CubeSat in Thailand marks the first time that China’s commercial spaceflight industry has completed the development, launch, and in-orbit delivery of a complete satellite to Southeast Asia, signifying a new stage for private commercial spaceflight companies to move from exporting components to exporting complete satellite

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