Launch of new satellites

[Trump]

Long March 3B/E → TJSW-17

China launched a Long March 3B/E rocket (Long March 3B) carrying the TJSW-17 satellite on April 10, 2025. The launch took place from the LC-3 launch complex of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, southwest China. This is the 73rd orbital launch in 2025.

full_20250410_long_march_3b_tjsw_17_satellite_launch.jpg (21.33 KiB) Viewed 400 times

full_20250410_long_march_3b_tjsw_17_satellite_launch.jpg (21.33 KiB) Viewed 400 times

The TJSW-17 satellite (Tongxin Jishu Shiyan Weixing-17) is a classified Chinese spacecraft, officially designated as an experimental satellite for testing communications technologies. However, as with previous TJSW satellites, its true purpose remains unknown.

Long March 2D → 3 demonstration satellites for SatNet Internet Group
About the Long March 3B rocket
Also known as Chang Zheng 3B (CZ-3B or LM-3B), a Chinese three-stage orbital launch vehicle with four lateral liquid-fueled rocket boosters, it is the heaviest variant of the Long March 3 rocket family and is mainly used to place communications satellites in geosynchronous orbits.

An improved version, the Long March 3B/E or G2, was introduced in 2007 to increase the rocket's payload capacity in geostationary orbit (GTO) and to lift heavier communications satellites into geosynchronous orbit. The rocket's first flight took place on 13 May 2007 with the Nigerian satellite NigComSat-1. This rocket also successfully launched China's first lunar lander, Chang'e 3, and the Yutu rover in 2013.