At 11:02 AM Beijing time on August 17, Hours Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time 30th July 2026 , China- People’s Republic of China- CNSA –China National Space Administration At 11:02 AM Beijing time on August 17, 2026, China successfully launched the UAE SEO satellite into its predetermined orbit using a Long March-2C carrier rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The launch mission was a complete success. This mission marked the 664th flight of the Long March series carrier rockets.
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At 11:02 AM on August 17, 2026, my country successfully launched the SEO satellite into its predetermined orbit using a Long March 2C carrier rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The launch mission was a complete success.
Key information about the mission:
- Launch time : 11:02 AM Beijing time on August 17, 20262
- Launch site : Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1
- Launch vehicle : Long March 2C launch vehicle; this was the 664th flight mission of the Long March series of launch vehicles.4
- Satellite Ownership : UAE SEO Satellite519
Satellite Purpose : The SEO satellite is primarily used to acquire and analyze data related to ecological environmental protection and natural resource management, enhancing planning capabilities and improving decision-making efficiency. This launch is also a significant achievement of China-Arab space cooperation, aiming to promote the application of cutting-edge space technologies in sustainable scenarios.
As of this launch, China’s space program has completed its 58th launch mission in 2026, maintaining a success rate of over 93%. The Long March 2C rocket, as my country’s longest-serving rocket, possesses the capability to launch one or more satellites at once and to deploy constellations, demonstrating strong mission adaptability
At 11:02 a.m. today, my country successfully launched an SEO satellite into orbit using a Long March 2C rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. This satellite does not belong to China but is an Earth observation satellite launched for the United Arab Emirates. It returned to the launch site only 7 days after its previous mission failed.
I. Core Parameters of Launch Mission
- Time and Location : 11:02 AM, August 17, 2026, Launch Pad 9, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
- Launch vehicle : Long March 2C launch vehicle, approximately 40 meters long, with a takeoff mass of approximately 242.5 tons and a near-Earth payload capacity of approximately 4600 kg.
- Mission number : 664th flight of the Long March series carrier rockets, 88th launch of the Long March 2C.
- Launch result : The satellite successfully entered its predetermined orbit, and the mission was a complete success
II. Satellite Identity and Purpose
- Satellite Name : SEO Satellite (Satellite for Earth Observation), i.e., Earth observation satellite
- Owned by : UAE, this is an innovative achievement of China-UAE space cooperation.
- Main tasks : To acquire and analyze data in areas such as ecological environment protection and natural resource management, and to improve planning capabilities and decision-making efficiency.
III. The Special Significance of the Task
- Rapidly Restored Launch Capability : Just seven days after the failed launch of the Zhongxing-4b satellite by the Long March 7A carrier rocket on August 10, China’s space program returned to the launch site and succeeded in the fastest possible time.
- Internationalization of Commercial Spaceflight : Providing a successful case study for Chinese commercial rockets to secure international orders and expand into overseas launch markets.
- The Long March 2C rocket has achieved another remarkable feat : Having made its maiden flight in 1982, it is China’s longest-serving rocket currently in service. Awarded the “Gold Medal Rocket” title in 1999, it continues to maintain a high success rate.
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