spacetoday.net: China closes record launch year

Posted: Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 11:18 AM ET (1618 GMT)
China closed out a record launch year with the launch of a pair of technology demonstration satellites Tuesday. A Long March 7A lifted off at 5:40 pm EST (2240 GMT) from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, placing into orbit the Shijian-29 A and B satellites. The two satellites will be used to “conduct verification tests of new technologies for space target detection,” Chinese officials reported, which could include space situational awareness applications. The launch was the 92nd this year by China, shattering last year’s record of 68 launches. It is also the final orbital launch worldwide this year, setting another record with more than 320 launch attempts.