On the 23 July 2026 launch CNSA _China National Space Administration -China – People’s Republic of China Hong Kong –Beijing Time China- People’s Republic of China…. at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province of the Xichang Launch Center Today, China successfully launched Tianlian-2 06Satellite into space using the Long March 3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center….. …..At 20:00 Beijing time on July 23, 2026, China successfully launched the Tianlian-2 06 satellite into its predetermined orbit using a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The launch mission was a complete success. This satellite will primarily provide data relay and telemetry services for manned spacecraft such as spacecraft and space stations, as well as data relay and telemetry services for medium and low Earth orbit resource satellites, and telemetry support for spacecraft launches.
This mission marked the 658th flight of the Long March series of carrier rocket
At 20:00 on July 23, 2026, a Long March 3B carrier rocket successfully launched the Tianlian-2 06 satellite into its predetermined orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. Despite being struck by lightning during the launch, the mission was still a complete success, attracting widespread attention.
Basic Launch Information : Launch Time : 20:00 Beijing Time, July 23, 2026 Launch Site : Xichang Satellite Launch Center Carrier Rocket : Long March 3B carrier rocket (Y118 batch) Orbital Status : Satellite successfully entered its predetermined orbit;
I. Basic Launch Information
- Launch time : 20:00 Beijing time on July 23, 2026
- Launch site : Xichang Satellite Launch Center
- Launch vehicle : Long March 3B launch vehicle (Y118 batch)
- Orbital status : The satellite successfully entered its predetermined orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success.
- Mission number : 658th flight of the Long March series carrier rocket, 50th launch of China’s space program in 2026.
II. Satellite Overview
- Satellite Name : Tianlian-2 06
- Research and Development Unit : China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
- Satellite type : China’s second-generation geostationary orbit data relay satellite
- Main uses :
- Provide data relay and telemetry services for manned spacecraft such as spacecraft and space stations.
Provide data relay and telemetry services for medium and low Earth orbit resource satellites.
Provide telemetry, tracking and command support for spacecraft launches.
III. Highlights of this launch
- Lightning strikes rocket : The rocket was struck by lightning shortly after liftoff, with its exhaust plume and the lightning forming a clear conductive path. This is the first time a Long March series rocket has been visibly struck by lightning.
- Severe weather conditions during launch window : Xichang experienced thunderstorms prior to launch, and the rocket lifted off in the rain and broke through the thunderstorm clouds.
- Photographer Captures Epic Moment : Photographer “Black and White Cat’s Name Already Taken” captures the moment lightning strikes a rocket, claiming it’s his 61st time photographing rockets and he’s obtained an “epic” image.
- IV. Mission Background and Network Progress
- The Tianlian-2 satellite family : Since the launch of Tianlian-2 01 in 2019, the development of Tianlian-2 02 and 03 satellites was completed in 3 years, and the development of 04 to 06 satellites was completed in 2 years, with the development cycle of a single satellite continuously shortening.
- Network deployment complete : All six Tianlian-2 satellites have been launched into orbit, further enhancing the coverage and service efficiency of the new generation space-based data relay network.14
- Rocket reliability : The Long March 3A series rockets have successfully launched Tianlian-2 01 to 06 satellites consecutively since 2019. This mission was developed by the First Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned Space CNSA-China National Space Administration