In a new step reflecting the rapid development of its ambitious space program, China announced the successful launch of a new satellite, Shijian-28. The satellite was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Center, located in the southern coastal province of Hainan, one of China's newest and most important space launch centers.
The launch was successfully completed using a modified Long March-7 carrier rocket, part of the Long March family of rockets that form the backbone of China's space program. Chinese space authorities confirmed that the Shijian-28 satellite entered its predetermined orbit with precision, marking a complete success for the 611th Long March rocket launch.
Historical context and growing ambitions
This launch comes amid China’s decades-long, sustained efforts to establish itself as a space superpower. The Chinese space program began in the 1950s and has seen significant leaps forward in the new millennium, from sending China’s first astronaut, Yang Liwei, into space in 2003 to complex achievements such as completing the Tiangong space station and sending probes to the Moon and Mars. The Shijian series of satellites, whose name means “experiment” or “practice,” is a vital platform for testing new space technologies and verifying their effectiveness in a real-world space environment before applying them to more complex future missions.
Strategic importance and expected impact
The launch of the Shijian-28 satellite carries multifaceted strategic significance. Domestically , this success enhances China's technological capabilities and supports its goal of achieving self-sufficiency in the space sector, reducing reliance on foreign technologies. Regionally and internationally , each successful launch strengthens China's position as a key partner and player in the global space arena. These experimental satellites are used to develop advanced communication services, high-definition television broadcasting, and fast and secure data transmission—essential services for major strategic projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative. Furthermore, advancements in this field open new avenues for competition and cooperation with other space powers, particularly the United States and Russia, in a new space race that extends beyond exploration to encompass technological and economic dominance.
