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[Breaking News]Japan H3 rocket mission fails

MINAMITANE, Japan, Dec. 22 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 22, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket lifting off from Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, with a Michibiki No. 5 satellite in its payload. The rocket failed to place the satellite into orbit after its second-stage engine prematurely cut off shortly after liftoff. (Kyodo)

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Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Makoto Arita attends a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025, after a Japanese H3 rocket failed to deliver the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into the target orbit.

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Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Makoto Arita attends a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025, after a Japanese H3 rocket failed to deliver the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into the target orbit.

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Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Vice President Masashi Okada attends a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025, after a Japanese H3 rocket failed to deliver the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into the target orbit.

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Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Photo taken on Dec. 22, 2025, shows smoke billowing from the Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite after liftoff from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. The rocket failed to place the satellite into orbit after its second-stage engine prematurely cut off shortly after liftoff.

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Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 22, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket lifting off from Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, with a Michibiki No. 5 satellite in its payload. The rocket failed to place the satellite into orbit after its second-stage engine prematurely cut off shortly after liftoff.

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Test Satellite Launch From Wenchang - China

A Long March-5 rocket carrying a new communication technology test satellite blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 20, 2025. Launched at 8:30 p.m. (Beijing Time), the satellite has successfully entered its planned orbit. It will be mainly used to carry out multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation tests. The launch marks the 618th mission by the Long March carrier rocket series. Photo by Yang Guanyu/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Test Satellite Launch From Wenchang - China

A Long March-5 rocket carrying a new communication technology test satellite blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 20, 2025. Launched at 8:30 p.m. (Beijing Time), the satellite has successfully entered its planned orbit. It will be mainly used to carry out multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation tests. The launch marks the 618th mission by the Long March carrier rocket series. Photo by Yang Guanyu/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Test Satellite Launch From Wenchang - China

A Long March-5 rocket carrying a new communication technology test satellite blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 20, 2025. Launched at 8:30 p.m. (Beijing Time), the satellite has successfully entered its planned orbit. It will be mainly used to carry out multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation tests. The launch marks the 618th mission by the Long March carrier rocket series. Photo by Yang Guanyu/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Test Satellite Launch From Wenchang - China

A Long March-5 rocket carrying a new communication technology test satellite blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 20, 2025. Launched at 8:30 p.m. (Beijing Time), the satellite has successfully entered its planned orbit. It will be mainly used to carry out multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation tests. The launch marks the 618th mission by the Long March carrier rocket series. (Photo by Du Xinxin/Xinhua)

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Test Satellite Launch From Wenchang - China

A Long March-5 rocket carrying a new communication technology test satellite blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 20, 2025. Launched at 8:30 p.m. (Beijing Time), the satellite has successfully entered its planned orbit. It will be mainly used to carry out multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation tests. The launch marks the 618th mission by the Long March carrier rocket series. (Photo by Du Xinxin/Xinhua)

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Test Satellite Launch From Wenchang - China

A Long March-5 rocket carrying a new communication technology test satellite blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 20, 2025. Launched at 8:30 p.m. (Beijing Time), the satellite has successfully entered its planned orbit. It will be mainly used to carry out multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation tests. The launch marks the 618th mission by the Long March carrier rocket series. Photo by Yang Guanyu/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Test Satellite Launch From Wenchang - China

A Long March-5 rocket carrying a new communication technology test satellite blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 20, 2025. Launched at 8:30 p.m. (Beijing Time), the satellite has successfully entered its planned orbit. It will be mainly used to carry out multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation tests. The launch marks the 618th mission by the Long March carrier rocket series. (Photo by Du Xinxin/Xinhua)

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Test Satellite Launch From Wenchang - China

A Long March-5 rocket carrying a new communication technology test satellite blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 20, 2025. Launched at 8:30 p.m. (Beijing Time), the satellite has successfully entered its planned orbit. It will be mainly used to carry out multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation tests. The launch marks the 618th mission by the Long March carrier rocket series. Photo by Yang Guanyu/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Test Satellite Launch From Wenchang - China

A Long March-5 rocket carrying a new communication technology test satellite blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 20, 2025. Launched at 8:30 p.m. (Beijing Time), the satellite has successfully entered its planned orbit. It will be mainly used to carry out multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation tests. The launch marks the 618th mission by the Long March carrier rocket series. Photo by Yang Guanyu/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Jiuquan Satellite Launch - China

A Kuaizhou-11 Y8 carrier rocket carrying one space experimental spacecraft blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, on December 13, 2025. The rocket blasted off at 9:08 a.m. (Beijing Time). It successfully sent the payloads into the planned orbit. Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Jiuquan Satellite Launch - China

A Kuaizhou-11 Y8 carrier rocket carrying one space experimental spacecraft blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, on December 13, 2025. The rocket blasted off at 9:08 a.m. (Beijing Time). It successfully sent the payloads into the planned orbit. Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Jiuquan Satellite Launch - China

A Kuaizhou-11 Y8 carrier rocket carrying one space experimental spacecraft blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, on December 13, 2025. The rocket blasted off at 9:08 a.m. (Beijing Time). It successfully sent the payloads into the planned orbit. Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Jiuquan Satellite Launch - China

A Kuaizhou-11 Y8 carrier rocket carrying one space experimental spacecraft blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, on December 13, 2025. The rocket blasted off at 9:08 a.m. (Beijing Time). It successfully sent the payloads into the planned orbit. Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Jiuquan Satellite Launch - China

A Kuaizhou-11 Y8 carrier rocket carrying one space experimental spacecraft blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, on December 13, 2025. The rocket blasted off at 9:08 a.m. (Beijing Time). It successfully sent the payloads into the planned orbit. Photo by Wang Haixia/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Satellite Launched Successfully - China

A Long March-12 carrier rocket carrying a group of internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 12, 2025. The rocket lifted off at 7:00 a.m. on Friday. The payloads, the 16th group of low-orbit internet satellites, entered into preset orbit successfully. Photo by Pu Xiaoxu/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Satellite Launched Successfully - China

This long-exposure photo taken on Dec. 12, 2025 shows a Long March-12 carrier rocket carrying a group of internet satellites blasting off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China's Hainan Province. The rocket lifted off at 7:00 a.m. on Friday. The payloads, the 16th group of low-orbit internet satellites, entered into preset orbit successfully. Photo by Pu Xiaoxu/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Satellite Launched Successfully - China

A Long March-12 carrier rocket carrying a group of internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 12, 2025. The rocket lifted off at 7:00 a.m. on Friday. The payloads, the 16th group of low-orbit internet satellites, entered into preset orbit successfully. Photo by Pu Xiaoxu/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Satellites Launch - China

A Long March-3B carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-22 satellite blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, December 9, 2025. The satellite was launched on Tuesday at 11:08 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its planned orbit as scheduled. The satellite will primarily support services including satellite communication, data transmission, and radio and television broadcasting, as well as conducting relevant technical tests and validations. Photo by Li Zhiyong/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Satellites Launch - China

A Long March-3B carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-22 satellite blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, December 9, 2025. The satellite was launched on Tuesday at 11:08 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its planned orbit as scheduled. The satellite will primarily support services including satellite communication, data transmission, and radio and television broadcasting, as well as conducting relevant technical tests and validations. Photo by Li Zhiyong/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Satellites Launch - China

A Long March-3B carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-22 satellite blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, December 9, 2025. The satellite was launched on Tuesday at 11:08 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its planned orbit as scheduled. The satellite will primarily support services including satellite communication, data transmission, and radio and television broadcasting, as well as conducting relevant technical tests and validations. Photo by Li Zhiyong/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Satellites Launch - China

A Long March-3B carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-22 satellite blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, December 9, 2025. The satellite was launched on Tuesday at 11:08 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its planned orbit as scheduled. The satellite will primarily support services including satellite communication, data transmission, and radio and television broadcasting, as well as conducting relevant technical tests and validations. Photo by Li Zhiyong/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Satellites Launch - China

A Long March-3B carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-22 satellite blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, December 9, 2025. The satellite was launched on Tuesday at 11:08 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its planned orbit as scheduled. The satellite will primarily support services including satellite communication, data transmission, and radio and television broadcasting, as well as conducting relevant technical tests and validations. Photo by Li Zhiyong/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Wenchang Satellite Launch - Hainan

A Long March-8A carrier rocket carrying the 14th group of low-orbit internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 6, 2025. The rocket lifted off at 3:53 p.m. on Saturday. It successfully placed the payloads into preset orbit. Photo by Guo Cheng /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Wenchang Satellite Launch - Hainan

A Long March-8A carrier rocket carrying the 14th group of low-orbit internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 6, 2025. The rocket lifted off at 3:53 p.m. on Saturday. It successfully placed the payloads into preset orbit. Photo by Guo Cheng /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Wenchang Satellite Launch - Hainan

A Long March-8A carrier rocket carrying the 14th group of low-orbit internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 6, 2025. The rocket lifted off at 3:53 p.m. on Saturday. It successfully placed the payloads into preset orbit. Photo by Guo Cheng /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Wenchang Satellite Launch - Hainan

A Long March-8A carrier rocket carrying the 14th group of low-orbit internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 6, 2025. The rocket lifted off at 3:53 p.m. on Saturday. It successfully placed the payloads into preset orbit. Photo by Guo Cheng /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Wenchang Satellite Launch - Hainan

A Long March-8A carrier rocket carrying the 14th group of low-orbit internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 6, 2025. The rocket lifted off at 3:53 p.m. on Saturday. It successfully placed the payloads into preset orbit. Photo by Guo Cheng /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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New Satellite Launch - China

A Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) carrier rocket carrying the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, December 5, 2025. The satellites entered their planned orbit successfully. Photo by Li Yunxi/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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China Sends Shenzhou-22 To Orbit - Jiuquan

Technicians monitor the docking of Shenzhou-22 spaceship with the space station combination at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on November 25, 2025. China's Shenzhou-22 spaceship successfully docked with the space station combination Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Photo by Wang Chuntao /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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China Sends Shenzhou-22 To Orbit - Jiuquan

A Long March-2F Y22 rocket carrying the Shenzhou-22 spaceship blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, November 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program. About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Photo by Ge Lixin/Xinhua /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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China Sends Shenzhou-22 To Orbit - Jiuquan

A Long March-2F Y22 rocket carrying the Shenzhou-22 spaceship blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, November 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program. About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Photo by Bai Long/Xinhua /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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China Sends Shenzhou-22 To Orbit - Jiuquan

This real-time image captured at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on November 25, 2025 shows the Shenzhou-22 spaceship docking with the space station combination. China's Shenzhou-22 spaceship successfully docked with the space station combination Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Photo by Wang Chuntao /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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China Sends Shenzhou-22 To Orbit - Jiuquan

This simulated image captured at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on November 25, 2025 shows the Shenzhou-22 spaceship docking with the space station combination. China's Shenzhou-22 spaceship successfully docked with the space station combination Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Photo by Wang Chuntao /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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China Sends Shenzhou-22 To Orbit - Jiuquan

This simulated image captured at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on November 25, 2025 shows the Shenzhou-22 spaceship docking with the space station combination. China's Shenzhou-22 spaceship successfully docked with the space station combination Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Photo by Wang Chuntao /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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China Sends Shenzhou-22 To Orbit - Jiuquan

This simulated image captured at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on November 25, 2025 shows the Shenzhou-22 spaceship docking with the space station combination. China's Shenzhou-22 spaceship successfully docked with the space station combination Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Photo by Wang Chuntao /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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China Sends Shenzhou-22 To Orbit - Jiuquan

This real-time image captured at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on November 25, 2025 shows the Shenzhou-22 spaceship docking with the space station combination. China's Shenzhou-22 spaceship successfully docked with the space station combination Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Photo by Wang Chuntao /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Closing Ceremony of China's 15th National Games - China

(251121) -- XICHANG, November 21, 2025 (Xinhua) -- A Long March-3B carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-21 satellite blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, November 21, 2025. The Shiyan-21 satellite was launched at 6:55 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket and entered the preset orbit successfully. (Photo by Li Zhiyong/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Copernicus Sentinel-1D Launches Into Orbit - French Guiana

Handout photo dated on November 4, 2025 shows Copernicus Sentinel-1D was successfully launched on 4 November 2025 at 22:02 CET (21:02 UTC) aboard an Ariane 6 rocket from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The satellite was released into orbit 34 minutes after launch, and the first signal was received at 23:22 CET by the Troll ground station in Antarctica. At the heart of Copernicus Sentinel-1 is the C-SAR (C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar) instrument, operating at 5.405 GHz. It provides high-resolution imaging of the Earth's surface regardless of weather conditions, day or night. The radar supports four operational modes: Strip Map (5 × 5 m resolution, 80 km swath), Interferometric Wide Swath (5 × 20 m resolution, 250 km swath), Extra Wide Swath (20 × 40 m resolution, 400 km swath), and Wave mode for ocean monitoring. A key feature of Sentinel-1D, also present on Sentinel-1C, is the integration of the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which enables detection and tracking of ship signals in c

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China Launches Shenzhou-21 Crewed Spaceship For New Scientific Goals

The Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 31, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship on Friday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station on a six-month mission. The spaceship blasted off at 11:44 p.m. (Beijing Time). About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The astronauts are in good condition, and the launch of the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship was a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

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China Launches Shenzhou-21 Crewed Spaceship For New Scientific Goals

The Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 31, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship on Friday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station on a six-month mission. The spaceship blasted off at 11:44 p.m. (Beijing Time). About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The astronauts are in good condition, and the launch of the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship was a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

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China Launches Shenzhou-21 Crewed Spaceship For New Scientific Goals

This combo photo shows the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 31, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship on Friday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station on a six-month mission. The spaceship blasted off at 11:44 p.m. (Beijing Time). About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The astronauts are in good condition, and the launch of the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship was a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). (Xinhua)

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China Launches Shenzhou-21 Crewed Spaceship For New Scientific Goals

The Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 31, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship on Friday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station on a six-month mission. The spaceship blasted off at 11:44 p.m. (Beijing Time). About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The astronauts are in good condition, and the launch of the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship was a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). (Xinhua/Li Minggang)

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Illustration - Thales France

FRANCE. ALPES MARITIMES (06) CANNES. ONCE IN ORBIT IN SPACE, THE SATELLITE WILL BE IN AN ATMOSPHERE-FREE ENVIRONMENT AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL STRESSES (SPACE COLD AND SOLAR RADIATION). IN ORDER TO VERIFY THAT THE SATELLITE'S EQUIPMENT CAN FUNCTION IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, THERMAL TESTS ARE BEING CONDUCTED BY PLACING THE SATELLITE IN A THERMAL VACUUM CHAMBER. THIS CHAMBER, CALLED ESPACE 500, IS A HORIZONTAL CYLINDRICAL CHAMBER, 8 M LONG AND 7.5 M IN DIAMETER, OR APPROXIMATELY 500 M3. THIS CHAMBER CONSISTS OF AN EXTERNAL ENVELOPE AND A DOUBLE WALL COVERING THE ENTIRE INTERIOR SURFACE, ALLOWING A COLD LIQUID TO CIRCULATE TO SIMULATE THE COLD OF SPACE. BEFORE BEING PLACED IN THE THERMAL CHAMBER, THE SATELLITE IS EQUIPPED WITH 1,500 MEASURING SENSORS TO MONITOR THE TEMPERATURE OF ITS EQUIPMENT AND STRUCTURES. Photo by Christophe Lepetit/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Thales France

FRANCE. ALPES MARITIMES (06) CANNES. ONCE IN ORBIT IN SPACE, THE SATELLITE WILL BE IN AN ATMOSPHERE-FREE ENVIRONMENT AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL STRESSES (SPACE COLD AND SOLAR RADIATION). IN ORDER TO VERIFY THAT THE SATELLITE'S EQUIPMENT CAN FUNCTION IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, THERMAL TESTS ARE BEING CONDUCTED BY PLACING THE SATELLITE IN A THERMAL VACUUM CHAMBER. THIS CHAMBER, CALLED ESPACE 500, IS A HORIZONTAL CYLINDRICAL CHAMBER, 8 M LONG AND 7.5 M IN DIAMETER, OR APPROXIMATELY 500 M3. THIS CHAMBER CONSISTS OF AN EXTERNAL ENVELOPE AND A DOUBLE WALL COVERING THE ENTIRE INTERIOR SURFACE, ALLOWING A COLD LIQUID TO CIRCULATE TO SIMULATE THE COLD OF SPACE. BEFORE BEING PLACED IN THE THERMAL CHAMBER, THE SATELLITE IS EQUIPPED WITH 1,500 MEASURING SENSORS TO MONITOR THE TEMPERATURE OF ITS EQUIPMENT AND STRUCTURES. Photo by Christophe Lepetit/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM