A Long March 2D lifts off from Xichang spaceport, May 30, 2026, carrying direct-to-device test satellites. Credit: Ourspace
HELSINKI — China capped a busy month of launches by sending four new satellite internet test satellites into orbit with a workhorse hypergolic rocket.
The Long March 2D lifted off at 2:07 p.m. Eastern May 30 (1807 UTC) from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China. Orange exhaust briefly illuminated the launch infrastructure before the hypergolic-propellant rocket climbed into the night sky.
CASC Commercial Rocket Co., state-owned CASC’s domestic commercial launch services arm, declared the launch successful, delivering four satellites to orbit.
Few details were provided. CASC and its affiliates generally stated that the satellites will primarily be used for experimental verification of technologies such as direct broadband connection to mobile phones via satellite and the integration of space and ground networks, according to CASC. There were, however, further clues as to the origin of the spacecraft.
