ANDREW CHAIKIN, Author at SpaceNews

A Long March 3B rocket lifts off from a mountainous launch site in China, engines blazing with bright orange flames and thick white exhaust clouds billowing outward. The vehicle rises beside a tall blue and red service tower, surrounded by dense green forest and hills.

China launches new Gaofen-14 stereo mapping satellite

by Andrew Jones October 27, 2025October 27, 2025

China added to its Earth observation fleet late Saturday, sending a second Gaofen-14 mapping satellite into sun-synchronous orbit.

HEO’s satellite-to-satellite imaging uncovers secrets of Chinese tech-test spacecraft

by Andrew Jones October 27, 2025

Full-scale mockup of Space Pioneer's Tianlong-3 rocket stands vertically on a newly completed launch pad at the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone, located in the desert landscape of Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The launch pad is equipped with support towers, fueling infrastructure, and ground facilities visible under clear blue skies.

Chinese launch firms Space Pioneer and Galactic Energy move toward IPOs

by Andrew Jones October 24, 2025October 24, 2025

A Long March 5 rocket lifts off at night from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan, China, illuminating the launch pad with bright exhaust flames and surrounded by thick clouds of smoke.

China expands classified geostationary satellite series with Long March 5 launch

by Andrew Jones October 23, 2025October 23, 2025

Landspace begins final preparations for China’s first orbital launch and landing attempt

by Andrew Jones October 21, 2025October 21, 2025

A Long March 6A rocket lifts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China, producing a bright plume of exhaust against a clear sky, with four lightning towers surrounding the launch pad.

China resumes launches for Thousand Sails constellation, CAS Space launches new international payload

by Andrew Jones October 19, 2025October 19, 2025

A Long March 8A rocket lifts off from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Center in southern China, sending a batch of Guowang broadband satellites into orbit. The rocket rises through a cloud of exhaust and smoke, framed by tall metal service towers under a bright sky.

China launches 12th group of Guowang broadband satellites as rocket milestone highlights accelerating launch rate

by Andrew Jones October 16, 2025October 16, 2025

Full-scale mockup of Space Pioneer's Tianlong-3 rocket stands vertically on a newly completed launch pad at the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone, located in the desert landscape of Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The launch pad is equipped with support towers, fueling infrastructure, and ground facilities visible under clear blue skies.

Space Pioneer raises $350 million as China’s commercial launch boom accelerates

by Andrew Jones October 14, 2025October 14, 2025

A Long March 2D rocket launches vertically beside a tall, cream-colored service tower at China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. Thick orange exhaust and flames pour from the rocket’s base, spreading across the gray launch pad. The tower bears large red Chinese characters reading “Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.” The sky above is pale blue with scattered clouds, and the scene is brightly lit by afternoon sunlight.

Surprise Chinese launch sends Shiyan-31 experimental satellite into orbit

by Andrew Jones October 13, 2025October 13, 2025

Gravity-1 solid rocket lifting off from a barge in the Yellow Sea during its second launch on October 11 2025, with bright exhaust flames and thick plumes of smoke rising into a hazy sky,

Huge commercial Chinese solid rocket launches 3 satellites from barge in the Yellow Sea

by Andrew Jones October 11, 2025October 11, 2025