China , People’s Republic of China Successfully Launches Two Satellites At Sea At 10:38 AM Beijing time on August 5th 2026, the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China successfully launched the Dongfang Hongyan Hyperspectral 01 and 02 satellites into their predetermined orbits using a Jielong-3 carrier rocket from the sea area near Haiyang, Shandong Province. The launch mission was a complete success. (Source: Xinhua News Agency
I. Overview of Core Tasks
- Launch time and location : 10:38 AM on August 5, 2026, organized and implemented by Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in the sea area near Haiyang, Shandong..
- Rockets and Satellites : The Jielong-3 Y12 carrier rocket successfully launched the Dongfang Insight Hyperspectral 01 and 02 satellites into their predetermined orbits.
- Mission outcome : The launch mission was a complete success, marking the 12th flight of the Jielong-3 carrier rocket.
II. The Strategic Value of Satellites
- Hyperspectral remote sensing capability : The Dongfang Insight Hyperspectral 01 and 02 satellites have hyperspectral imaging capabilities and can be used for high-precision Earth observation.1
- Networked collaborative observation : After the two satellites enter orbit, they will join forces with the already orbiting Dongfang Huiyan Gaofen 01 satellite (Yantai-2) to form a network and build a demonstration service system of “general survey + detailed survey”
- Application scenario : This system will provide strong support for high-precision observation within China and macroscopic monitoring of global land and sea stability
III. Sea-based Launch and Industrial Significance
- Mature sea launch mode : This mission was carried out by the launch ship “Dongfang Aerospace Port” in the near sea, which demonstrates the flexibility and maturity of China’s sea launch technology.143
- Local industrial chain closed loop : The rocket is assembled and shipped from Haiyang Oriental Spaceport, realizing the localized full-chain capability of “Haiyang ship launch Haiyang rocket”.243
- Regional industrial demonstration : This marks a breakthrough for Haiyang City in taking the lead in realizing the integrated development model of “star, rocket, ship, and application” in commercial aerospace.
On August 5, 2026, the EDF Starlink 05/06 satellites (EDF Insight-HXMT Hyperspectral 01/02 satellites), jointly developed by EDF Starlink and Enceladus, will be launched into space aboard the Jielong-3 Y12 carrier rocket from the launch ship “Dongfang Aerospace Port” in Haiyang, Shandong.
Information regarding the Jielong-3 Y12 carrier rocket involves multiple aspects. I will gather more comprehensive information and then reply to you.
The Jielong-3 Y12 carrier rocket successfully launched from the sea off Haiyang, Shandong Province on August 5, 2026 , using a “one rocket, two satellites” method, sending the **Dongfang Starlink 05/06 satellites (Dongfang Insight Hyperspectral 01/02 satellites)** into their predetermined orbits.
The key information regarding this launch is as follows:
🚀 Launch Overview
- Launch time : 10:00-11:00 AM, August ,
- Launch location : Offshore waters near Haiyang, Shandong Province; the rocket was launched from the “Dongfang Aerospace Port” launch ship.
- Payload : Both satellites are “Haiyang-made,” jointly developed by EDF Starlink and Enceladus, and are lightweight, weighing around 300 kg.
🛰️ Satellite Highlights
- Onboard AI computing power : The satellite is equipped with 400 TOPS of onboard AI computing power, which can complete data screening, intelligent interpretation and target assessment in orbit, reducing emergency response time from hours or days to minutes.
- Significance of the network : After the two satellites are put into orbit, they will join forces with the already operational Dongfang Huiyan Gaofen 01 satellite (Yantai-2) to form a network, constructing a demonstration service system of “general survey + detailed survey”.
🔧 Rocket Background:
The Jielong-3 rocket, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, is a four-stage solid-propellant launch vehicle. It is 31.8 meters long, weighs approximately 140 tons at lift-off, and has a payload capacity of 1.5 tons to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. It features rapid response and mobile sea launch capabilities. This was the 13th launch of the Jielong series.
II. Highlights of the Payload Satellite
- Development Background : The two satellites, named “Haiyang-made,” were jointly developed by EDF Starlink and Enceladus, and feature a lightweight configuration weighing around 300 kilograms.116
- Core capabilities : Equipped with 400 TOPS of onboard AI computing power, it can complete data filtering, intelligent interpretation, and target assessment in orbit.116
- Performance breakthrough : Multiple core indicators have reached international leading levels, reducing emergency response time from hours and days to minutes, overcoming the pain points of insufficient bandwidth and delayed response in traditional remote sensing
III. Industry Milestone Significance
- Significance of the network : After the two satellites are put into orbit, they will join forces with the already operational Dongfang Huiyan Gaofen 01 satellite (Yantai-2) to form a network, constructing a demonstration service system of “general survey + detailed survey”
- Breakthrough in Model : The mission’s success marks a breakthrough for Haiyang City in achieving an integrated development model encompassing “satellites, rockets, ships, and applications” for commercial aerospace.6
- Launch mode : This launch continues the mature mode of “assembly at Haiyang and mobile launch at sea”, with the components assembled at the Oriental Spaceport and carried out on a dedicated launch vessel