The launch occurred at 14:16 UTC on January 13, 2026. | 🚀 Liftoff at 14:16UTC on January 13, Long March 6A Y27 launched Yaogan-50-01 from Taiyuan | Jan 13, 2026 |
The launch took place from Taiyuan. | 🚀 Liftoff at 14:16UTC on January 13, Long March 6A Y27 launched Yaogan-50-01 from Taiyuan | Jan 13, 2026 |
Long March 6A Y27 launched the Yaogan-50-01 satellite. | 🚀 Liftoff at 14:16UTC on January 13, Long March 6A Y27 launched Yaogan-50-01 from Taiyuan | Jan 13, 2026 |
Long March 8A launched SatNet LEO Group 18 at 15:25 UTC on January 13, 2026 from Hainan, China. | 🚀 Liftoff at 15:25UTC on January 13, Long March 8A launched SatNet LEO Group 18 from Hainan | Jan 13, 2026 |
Long March 8A Y6 launched SatNet LEO Group 17 at 23:26 UTC on December 25, 2025 from Hainan commercial launch pad #1. | 🚀 Liftoff at 15:25UTC on January 13, Long March 8A launched SatNet LEO Group 18 from Hainan | Jan 13, 2026 |
2026 may become the most interesting year for China's usage of outer space and Earth orbits. | Yet even the "quiet" 1st days of the year are offering some surprises. If last December is an indicator, 2026 may well be the most "interesting" year ever for China's usage of outer space, Earth orbits & beyond. And I hate to say this, but I'm struggling to follow them all. | Jan 13, 2026 |
The LM-8A rocket will likely carry SatNet LEO communication satellites. | So yeah, let's start with a will-be-mundane launch for today then, 1 of at least 8 (!) known to be aiming within the next 2 weeks. In what's going to be at least a monthly routine, a LM-8A w/ probably SatNet LEO comsats' launching from Wenchang today January 13 ~15:25 UTC. | Jan 13, 2026 |
A launch is scheduled for January 13, 2026, around 15:25 UTC. | So yeah, let's start with a will-be-mundane launch for today then, 1 of at least 8 (!) known to be aiming within the next 2 weeks. In what's going to be at least a monthly routine, a LM-8A w/ probably SatNet LEO comsats' launching from Wenchang today January 13 ~15:25 UTC. | Jan 13, 2026 |
The launch will be conducted using an LM-8A rocket. | So yeah, let's start with a will-be-mundane launch for today then, 1 of at least 8 (!) known to be aiming within the next 2 weeks. In what's going to be at least a monthly routine, a LM-8A w/ probably SatNet LEO comsats' launching from Wenchang today January 13 ~15:25 UTC. | Jan 13, 2026 |
There are at least 8 known launches planned within the next 2 weeks. | So yeah, let's start with a will-be-mundane launch for today then, 1 of at least 8 (!) known to be aiming within the next 2 weeks. In what's going to be at least a monthly routine, a LM-8A w/ probably SatNet LEO comsats' launching from Wenchang today January 13 ~15:25 UTC. | Jan 13, 2026 |
Cosmic Penguin published a thread for 2026 on January 13, 2026. | I know this is very late, but here's the new thread for 2026! | Jan 13, 2026 |
The first Chinese launch of the year occurred in January 2026. | Good morning! It's less than 2 weeks into the year & my brain is already overheating. I completely MISSED the 1st Chinese launch of the year until after it launched! No, not the one above, but something else, and I actually knew it days ago but I dismissed it as for a missile! | Jan 13, 2026 |
The LM-8A rocket is scheduled to launch on January 13, 2026, at approximately 15:25 UTC. | But back to the LM-8A about to launch...it's about T-10 minutes and the rocket is definitely ready. You can watch it here... | Jan 13, 2026 |
The LM-8A is expected to launch Low Earth Orbit communications satellites known as SatNet. | But back to the LM-8A about to launch...it's about T-10 minutes and the rocket is definitely ready. You can watch it here... | Jan 13, 2026 |
A total of at least 8 launches are planned within the next 2 weeks. | But back to the LM-8A about to launch...it's about T-10 minutes and the rocket is definitely ready. You can watch it here... | Jan 13, 2026 |
The LM-8A rocket is launching from Wenchang. | But back to the LM-8A about to launch...it's about T-10 minutes and the rocket is definitely ready. You can watch it here... | Jan 13, 2026 |
SpaceLens has fully prepared its remote cameras. | SpaceLens have their remote cameras fully ready: | Jan 13, 2026 |
Liftoff of the LM-8A occurred at 15:25 UTC on January 13, 2026. | Liftoff of this LM-8A did occur at 15:25 UTC (plus ~30 seconds): | Jan 13, 2026 |
China has never attempted a launch to a highly retrograde orbit with a 139° inclination. | This would be a launch to a highly retrograde orbit (like 139° inclination), sth the Chinese never tried before. And since they routinely test various missiles launching towards west I dismissed it out of hand. Unfortunately the Chinese turns out to have "creative imagination"... | Jan 13, 2026 |
China routinely tests various missiles launching towards the west. | This would be a launch to a highly retrograde orbit (like 139° inclination), sth the Chinese never tried before. And since they routinely test various missiles launching towards west I dismissed it out of hand. Unfortunately the Chinese turns out to have "creative imagination"... | Jan 13, 2026 |
The Long March 6A successfully launched the Yaogan 50-01 satellite. | ...and everyone including Chinese spaceflight fans missed this much-bigger-than-a-missile launch as their 1st to orbit in 2026. This Long March 6A successfully launched the newest "thingy' Yaogan 50-01 from TSLC at 14:16 UTC, right in the smack of the NOTAM's 21 min window. | Jan 13, 2026 |
The Yaogan 50-01 satellite was launched from TSLC at 14:16 UTC on January 13, 2026. | ...and everyone including Chinese spaceflight fans missed this much-bigger-than-a-missile launch as their 1st to orbit in 2026. This Long March 6A successfully launched the newest "thingy' Yaogan 50-01 from TSLC at 14:16 UTC, right in the smack of the NOTAM's 21 min window. | Jan 13, 2026 |
The launch occurred within the 21-minute window specified in the NOTAM. | ...and everyone including Chinese spaceflight fans missed this much-bigger-than-a-missile launch as their 1st to orbit in 2026. This Long March 6A successfully launched the newest "thingy' Yaogan 50-01 from TSLC at 14:16 UTC, right in the smack of the NOTAM's 21 min window. | Jan 13, 2026 |
The US National Reconnaissance Office operates radar spy satellites in 123° orbits. | The thing is - unless the NOTAM was placed in completely the wrong place (it happens sometimes...) - ~139° retrograde orbits are extremely rarely used. There are US NRO radar spysats in 123° orbits, the 1st successful Firefly Alpha launch went to a 136° one, but... | Jan 13, 2026 |
Retrograde orbits at approximately 139° are extremely rarely used. | The thing is - unless the NOTAM was placed in completely the wrong place (it happens sometimes...) - ~139° retrograde orbits are extremely rarely used. There are US NRO radar spysats in 123° orbits, the 1st successful Firefly Alpha launch went to a 136° one, but... | Jan 13, 2026 |
The first successful Firefly Alpha launch went to a 136° orbit. | The thing is - unless the NOTAM was placed in completely the wrong place (it happens sometimes...) - ~139° retrograde orbits are extremely rarely used. There are US NRO radar spysats in 123° orbits, the 1st successful Firefly Alpha launch went to a 136° one, but... | Jan 13, 2026 |
The Ofeq series of satellites from Israel are the only satellites launched into highly retrograde Earth orbits specified for Earth observation use. | ...the only ones ever placed in such highly retrograde Earth orbits specified for Earth observation use are the Ofeq series from the Israelis, and that's because they can only launch satellites westward. Dafuq China and SAST? And the "-01" means there will be more than one... | Jan 13, 2026 |
The LM-8A launch successfully deployed the SatNet LEO comsat constellation for Group 18. | Back to Wenchang, the successful 15:25 UTC LM-8A launch was indeed a "mundane" one for the SatNet LEO comsat constellation (SatNet LEO Group 18) - though some AI on Chinese social media fabricated news that the -8A's 1st stage successfully landed on a ship-based recovery net! 😒 | Jan 13, 2026 |
The LM-8A launch occurred at 15:25 UTC. | Back to Wenchang, the successful 15:25 UTC LM-8A launch was indeed a "mundane" one for the SatNet LEO comsat constellation (SatNet LEO Group 18) - though some AI on Chinese social media fabricated news that the -8A's 1st stage successfully landed on a ship-based recovery net! 😒 | Jan 13, 2026 |
The idea of using a barge for landing Long March 8 rockets was scrapped in favor of starting with the Long March 10 series. | The Long March 8 series was indeed CASC/CALT's 1st point of entry for reusing orbital rockets (you can find illustrations of LM-8 1st stage + boosters w/ legs on a barge), but this idea was scrapped many years ago in favor of starting from LM-10 etc. No barge landing for this! | Jan 13, 2026 |
The Long March 8 series was CASC/CALT's first point of entry for reusing orbital rockets. | The Long March 8 series was indeed CASC/CALT's 1st point of entry for reusing orbital rockets (you can find illustrations of LM-8 1st stage + boosters w/ legs on a barge), but this idea was scrapped many years ago in favor of starting from LM-10 etc. No barge landing for this! | Jan 13, 2026 |
The LM-8A launch demonstrated first stage recovery with a parachute and landing on a barge with a net. | My brain started overheating again, this time after seeing random Chinese waiting to grab ¥¥¥ out of aerospace stocks by spreading AI generated news of this LM-8A launch successfully demonstrated "1st stage recovery w/ parachute & landing on (planned for LM-10) barge w/ net". 😂 | Jan 13, 2026 |
The event was noted by Cosmic Penguin on January 13, 2026. | My brain started overheating again, this time after seeing random Chinese waiting to grab ¥¥¥ out of aerospace stocks by spreading AI generated news of this LM-8A launch successfully demonstrated "1st stage recovery w/ parachute & landing on (planned for LM-10) barge w/ net". 😂 | Jan 13, 2026 |
The KID capsule switched on and transmitted data. | Wow. | Jan 13, 2026 |
The KID capsule separated from PSLV C62. | Wow. | Jan 13, 2026 |
A full report on the KID capsule will be forthcoming. | Wow. | Jan 13, 2026 |
Orbital Paradigm is reconstructing the trajectory of the KID capsule. | Wow. | Jan 13, 2026 |
The first data batch from KID was received at around 05:06 UTC. | And it held up well too: | Jan 13, 2026 |
KID re-entered the atmosphere coupled to the PSLV Stage 4. | And it held up well too: | Jan 13, 2026 |
The reentry angle of KID was around -20º instead of the planned -5º. | And it held up well too: | Jan 13, 2026 |
Based on preliminary trajectory analysis, KID splashed down in a remote area of the southern Indian Ocean, far from any human presence. | And it held up well too: | Jan 13, 2026 |
The separation ring designed by UARX Space reached the conditions to trigger release at around Mach 20. | And it held up well too: | Jan 13, 2026 |
The KID spacecraft generated useful data during the failed PSLV launch according to OrbitalParadigm. | And it held up well too: | Jan 13, 2026 |
KID experienced a peak G-load of up to 28g during reentry, almost twice the nominal scenario. | And it held up well too: | Jan 13, 2026 |
Internal temperature readings for the payloads during reentry indicated a range of approximately 15ºC to 30ºC. | And it held up well too: | Jan 13, 2026 |
Customer payload data from KID was scheduled for later transmission but could not be sent before ocean impact. | And it held up well too: | Jan 13, 2026 |
KID transmitted 190 seconds of system telemetry confirming its core systems remained operational through extreme conditions. | And it held up well too: | Jan 13, 2026 |
Firefly Aerospace is enhancing the Alpha rocket's structures and avionics for added reliability. | Firefly announced an upgraded Block II variant of their Alpha rocket to improve reliability & streamline production! Alpha will become longer with optimized tanks, and get new batteries & avionics. Some upgrades will be tested on FLTA007, with the full upgrade to debut on FLTA008 | Jan 13, 2026 |
The full upgrade of the Alpha rocket is scheduled to debut on FLTA008. | Firefly announced an upgraded Block II variant of their Alpha rocket to improve reliability & streamline production! Alpha will become longer with optimized tanks, and get new batteries & avionics. Some upgrades will be tested on FLTA007, with the full upgrade to debut on FLTA008 | Jan 13, 2026 |
The upgraded Alpha rocket will be longer with optimized tanks. | Firefly announced an upgraded Block II variant of their Alpha rocket to improve reliability & streamline production! Alpha will become longer with optimized tanks, and get new batteries & avionics. Some upgrades will be tested on FLTA007, with the full upgrade to debut on FLTA008 | Jan 13, 2026 |