On CNSA –China National Space Administration …. ChangZheng Long March 7A Wenchang, Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China, The Long March 7A The Long March 7A Y29 on the 29 July 2026 Today, China successfully launched the Tianlian-3 01 satellite into its predetermined orbit using a Long March-7A carrier rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site. The launch mission was a complete success. This satellite will primarily provide data relay and telemetry services for manned spacecraft such as spacecraft, space laboratories, and space stations, as well as for medium and low Earth orbit resource satellites.
On the evening of July 29, 2026, the Long March 7A carrier rocket successfully sent the Tianlian-3 01 satellite into its predetermined orbit from Wenchang, marking the official start of the construction of China, People’s Republic of China’s third-generation data relay satellite system.
I. Launch Overview and Milestone Significance
- Mission accomplished : At 19:50 Beijing time on July 29, 2026, China successfully launched the Tianlian-3 01 satellite into its predetermined orbit using a Long March-7A carrier rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site.@CCTVNews2328
- Double record : This mission is not only the 659th flight of the Long March series carrier rockets, but also the 50th successful launch since the Wenchang Space Launch Site was built. Our Space…
II. Satellite Mission and Platform Upgrade
- Core Functions : As the first satellite of China’s third-generation data relay satellite, this satellite mainly serves as a space “signal relay station,” providing data relay and telemetry services for manned spacecraft such as spacecraft and space stations, as well as low- and medium-Earth orbit resource satellites.35
- Technological leap : The satellite adopts the Dongfanghong-4 enhanced platform, which further improves its carrying capacity and carries a new generation of payload products, greatly enhancing the ability of multi-user parallel data transmission and laying the infrastructure foundation for subsequent high-density missions such as low-orbit satellite internet.
III. Launch Vehicle and Launch Site Layout
- Rocket Optimization : The Long March 7A is China’s new generation of medium-lift, high-orbit liquid-fueled launch vehicle, which entered a phase of routine high-density launches in 2026. In this mission, its universal ground-based telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) system underwent optimization and upgrades, enhancing the stability and reliability of key pre-launch operations.
- Location shift : Unlike the previous two generations of relay satellites which were launched from the Xichang Launch Site by Long March 3B/C rockets, the Tianlian-3 01 satellite was launched from the Wenchang Launch Site for the first time and carried out by the Long March 7 rocket, reflecting the diversified layout of China’s space launch sites and launch vehicles.
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