China Successfully Launches Advanced Communication Test Satellite

Successful Launch from Wenchang

China successfully launched a new communication technology test satellite, identified as the Communication Technology Test Satellite-20 (TJSW-20), into orbit on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The launch took place at approximately 10:30 p.m. Beijing Time from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in South China's Hainan province. The satellite was carried aloft by a Long March-5 Y9 rocket, which successfully placed its payload into its planned orbit. This mission marks the 602nd flight of the Long March carrier rocket series, underscoring China's consistent activity in space exploration.

Purpose of the New Satellite

The primary objective of the Communication Technology Test Satellite-20 (TJSW-20) is to conduct 'multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation tests'. This mission is part of China's ongoing efforts to advance its space-based communication infrastructure. Such validation tests are crucial for developing and refining technologies that enable high-speed, secure, and resilient broadband services, which are increasingly vital for both civilian and potential military applications.

The Long March-5 Rocket

The Long March-5, often referred to as 'Fat-Five', is China's most powerful operational rocket and a heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). It is distinguished by its exclusive use of non-hypergolic liquid propellants. The Long March-5 has been instrumental in several of China's major space endeavors, including lunar sample return missions and Mars exploration. It is considered one of the world's most powerful orbital launch vehicles currently in operation, roughly matching the capabilities of American NSSL heavy-lift launch vehicles such as Vulcan Centaur.

Wenchang Space Launch Site

The Wenchang Space Launch Site, located on Hainan Island, serves as a key facility for China's space program. Its coastal location offers advantages for launching heavy-lift rockets like the Long March-5, allowing for larger payloads and safer disposal of rocket debris over the ocean. The site has been central to many of China's ambitious space missions, including those involving its space station modules and deep-space probes.