China launches new satellite to test high-speed communication tech

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Jun 11, 2026 #Artemis, #Blue Origin, #Chang'e, #China, #China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, #Communication Technology Test Satellite, #Florida, #Hainan, #Jiuquan, #Long March, #NASA, #new glenn, #South China Morning Post (SCMP), #Wenchang, #Xichang

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China launches new satellite to test high-speed communication tech

Long March 5 rocket’s lift-off marks pivotal step in validating technologies for next-generation orbital connectivity speeds and reliability

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Thursday marked the 11th flight of the Long March 5 series and its first launch of 2026. Photo: Xinhua

Zhang Tongin WenchangPublished: 8:46pm, 11 Jun 2026Updated: 9:06pm, 11 Jun 2026

China launched a new test communication satellite on Thursday in a pivotal step to validate technology essential for next-generation orbital connectivity speeds and reliability.

The Communication Technology Test Satellite No 25 was sent into orbit on a Long March 5 rocket launched from the Wenchang spaceport in the southern island province of Hainan at 3.30pm on Thursday.

“The satellite will be mainly used to verify multi-band, high-rate satellite communication technologies,” state broadcaster CCTV reported.Advertisement

The mission is the 11th flight for the Long March 5 series and its first launch of the year.

The Long March 5 has a carrying capacity of 25 tonnes to low-Earth orbit, 14 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit and 8.25 tonnes to trans-lunar injection, suggesting that the satellite deployed in this mission was relatively heavy.