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Chinese Rocket Struck by Lightning Continues Successful Satellite Deployment

Chinese Rocket Struck by Lightning Continues Successful Satellite Deployment

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket was struck by lightning shortly after its launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. Despite the electric discharge occurring about 30 seconds into the flight, the rocket successfully placed the Tianlian-2 06 satellite into its planned orbit. The incident, captured by various cameras, did not affect the mission's outcome. The Tianlian-2 06 is part of China's second-generation data relay satellites, supporting communication and tracking for spacecraft and satellites in orbit.
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Chinese Rocket Struck by Lightning but Successfully Delivers Satellite

Chinese Rocket Struck by Lightning but Successfully Delivers Satellite

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket was struck by lightning approximately 30 seconds after its launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province on July 23, 2026. Despite the electric discharge, the rocket maintained its trajectory and successfully placed the Tianlian-2 06 data relay satellite into its planned orbit. The incident was captured on video, showing a strong electric discharge accompanying the rocket's ascent. The China National Space Administration confirmed the successful mission, marking the 658th flight of a Long March family rocket. This event is notable as it is reportedly the first time clear images of lightning striking a Long March series rocket have been recorded, although this claim is attributed to Chinese media rather than official sources.
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China's Long March 3B Rocket Survives Lightning Strike, Successfully Delivers Satellite

China's Long March 3B Rocket Survives Lightning Strike, Successfully Delivers Satellite

China's Long March 3B rocket successfully delivered its payload to orbit despite being struck by lightning shortly after liftoff. The rocket, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, was carrying the Tianlian-2 (06) relay satellite, which is part of a geostationary program to provide communications and tracking support for various missions. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirmed the mission's success, although the lightning strike was not mentioned in their official statement. This event highlights the robustness of China's launch systems and their ability to withstand adverse conditions.
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SpaceX's Starship Completes Successful Ocean Landing After Delivering Starlink Satellites

SpaceX's Starship Completes Successful Ocean Landing After Delivering Starlink Satellites

SpaceX's Starship megarocket has successfully completed its 13th test flight, culminating in a controlled ocean landing. This mission involved the deployment of next-generation Starlink satellites, marking a significant step in SpaceX's efforts to develop a reusable transportation system for space operations. The Starship's soft ocean splashdown provided engineers with valuable data on the spacecraft's performance during reentry and landing. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirmed the vehicle's intact condition post-landing, highlighting the mission's success in gathering critical telemetry data. This test flight is part of SpaceX's broader goal to support large-scale space operations, including future crewed missions and lunar exploration under NASA's Artemis program.
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Chinese Rocket Struck by Lightning During Launch, Mission Unaffected

Chinese Rocket Struck by Lightning During Launch, Mission Unaffected

A Long March 3B rocket launched from China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center was struck by lightning shortly after its launch. Despite the dramatic event, the mission proceeded without any issues, successfully placing the Tianlian-2-06 data relay satellite into its intended geostationary transfer orbit. The lightning strike, which traveled along the length of the rocket and its exhaust path, did not impact the satellite's deployment. This incident is reminiscent of the Apollo 12 mission, which also experienced lightning strikes during launch but managed to continue its mission successfully. The Tianlian-2-06 satellite is part of a constellation designed to relay communications and data from the Chinese space station and other low-orbit spacecraft to ground systems.
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Chinese Rocket Struck by Lightning Shortly After Launch, Successfully Delivers Satellite

Chinese Rocket Struck by Lightning Shortly After Launch, Successfully Delivers Satellite

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket was struck by lightning approximately 30 seconds after its launch on July 23, 2026. Despite the electric discharge, the rocket successfully maintained its trajectory and placed the Tianlian-2 06 satellite into its planned orbit. The launch occurred at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province, China. The incident was captured on video, showing a strong electric discharge following the rocket's path. The China National Space Administration confirmed the successful deployment of the satellite, which is part of the second generation of Chinese data relay satellites. These satellites provide communication, tracking, and control support for various space missions.
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Chinese Space Firm Orienspace Successfully Launches Gravity-1 Rocket from Sea

Chinese Space Firm Orienspace Successfully Launches Gravity-1 Rocket from Sea

Chinese space company Orienspace has successfully launched its Gravity-1 rocket from a sea-based platform in the East China Sea. The Gravity-1, noted as the world's most powerful solid-fuel rocket, is capable of carrying a 6.5-tonne payload. This launch marks the third successful mission since 2024, with the rocket carrying nine satellites into sun-synchronous orbit. The launch site was located approximately 30-40 nautical miles off the coast of Shanghai. Orienspace plans to develop a liquid-fueled central booster to enable partial reuse of the rocket, aiming to reduce launch costs.
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China's Gravity-1 Rocket Successfully Launches 9 Satellites from Sea Platform

China's Gravity-1 Rocket Successfully Launches 9 Satellites from Sea Platform

China's Gravity-1 rocket, operated by Orienspace, has successfully launched nine satellites from a sea-based platform off the coast of Shanghai. This marks the third successful mission for the world's most powerful solid-fuel rocket. The launch took place on July 21, 2026, and all satellites reached their designated orbits. The Gravity-1 rocket, known for its squat and stubby design, stands about 100 feet tall and can carry up to 14,300 pounds to low Earth orbit. This mission underscores China's growing capabilities in space technology and its strategic use of sea-based launches to enhance flexibility and reach.
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China's Gravity-1 Rocket Achieves Successful Sea Launch, Deploying Nine Satellites

China's Gravity-1 Rocket Achieves Successful Sea Launch, Deploying Nine Satellites

China's Gravity-1 rocket, the world's most powerful solid-fuel rocket, successfully launched nine satellites from a ship at sea. This marks the third successful mission for the Gravity-1, operated by Orienspace, a company based in Shandong. The launch took place off the coast of Shanghai, with all satellites reaching their designated orbits. The rocket, notable for its solid rocket motors and sea-based launch capability, stands at 100 feet tall and can carry significant payloads to low Earth orbit.
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Chinese Space Firm Successfully Launches Commercial Rocket from East China Sea

Chinese Space Firm Successfully Launches Commercial Rocket from East China Sea

China's Gravity-1 launch vehicle, recognized as the world's most powerful solid-fuel rocket, has been successfully launched from a sea-based platform in the East China Sea. This marks the furthest offshore launch for the operator, Orienspace. The Gravity-1, a 100-foot-tall rocket with a 6.5-tonne payload capacity, operates from a specially-adapted heavy lift ship. Its solid-fuel design allows it to remain launch-ready for extended periods without human intervention. This week's launch, the third since 2024, successfully placed nine satellites into sun-synchronous orbit, including those for remote sensing.
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NASA Astronaut Suggests Lunar Equator Landing for Artemis IV to Enhance Safety

NASA Astronaut Suggests Lunar Equator Landing for Artemis IV to Enhance Safety

NASA's Artemis lunar missions have traditionally targeted the moon's south pole due to its abundance of water ice, which is crucial for sustaining long-term lunar bases. However, Victor Glover, an astronaut who piloted the Artemis II mission, has proposed a shift in strategy. Speaking at the NASA Exploration Science Forum, Glover suggested that landing near the moon's equator might be more practical. This area offers continuous daylight and quicker emergency return options to Earth, which could be vital for astronaut safety. The equatorial region's accessibility aligns with recent changes in the Artemis program, which aims to gradually expand mission goals. NASA's focus on the south pole is partly driven by competition with China, which is advancing its lunar program rapidly.
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NASA Announces CAPSTONE 02 Mission to Advance Lunar Exploration

NASA Announces CAPSTONE 02 Mission to Advance Lunar Exploration

NASA has unveiled the CAPSTONE 02 mission, a small spacecraft technology demonstration aimed at advancing lunar exploration capabilities. Scheduled for launch in 2027, the mission will involve two identical small spacecraft in lunar orbit to demonstrate technologies supporting the Artemis program and future Moon Base. The mission will focus on rendezvous and proximity operations, autonomous navigation, and cislunar communication. This follows the original CAPSTONE mission, which validated communications and navigation capabilities in a near rectilinear halo orbit around the Moon. The CAPSTONE 02 mission will further mature these technologies, providing critical data for future lunar and deep space missions.