China achieved a historic space milestone by launching three Long March rockets within 19 hours, deploying broadband, reconnaissance, and communications satellites, and setting a new national record for launch cadence.
China achieved a record triple rocket launch in 19 hours, enhancing satellite capabilities
Photo Credit: SpaceX
The space agency in China has made a new breakthrough. It had put up three Long March rockets in less than 19 hours, the most rockets put up in a day in the history of the country. The frenzy of liftoffs increased the number of orbital missions of China to 83, surpassing the 68 of the previous year. Such a fast pace underscores the increasing pace of China launching networks and space capabilities.
As per news reports, the initial launch was reported on Dec. 8, 22:11 GMT (Dec. 9 local), in which a Long March 6A was launched into orbit at Taiyuan, carrying a set of satellites to expand Chinese broadband internet (China) under its new constellation, called Guowang. Several hours later, a Long March 4B took off the Jiuquan, launching the Yaogan-47 remote-sensing satellite (military payload, classified). This chain started with a Long March 3B on 9 Dec. at 15:08 GMT, which launched the TJSW-22 communications technology satellite. The three launches were all on Dec. 9 Beijing time.
The state space contractor known as China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) rejoiced over the accomplishment. The officials said that this was the third successful launch of the Long March rockets in China today, and it was a record with three launches in a day. The series of missions highlights the fact that China has invested in the infrastructure of space, such as communication and reconnaissance satellites. (To put it into perspective, 2025 has recorded more than 150 launches at SpaceX in the US, though it is a national record by China on its own launching fleet.)
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