Our next launch is a surprise Chinese launch. At 15:36 UTC a Long March 3B launched from the Xichang launch site carrying the TJSW-6 satellite.

TJSW is a Chinese acronym meaning Tongxin Jishu Shiyan Weixing, which translates to Communications Technology Test Satellite.  According to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, TJSW-6 will be “mainly used for satellite communications, radio and television, data transmission and other services, and carries out related technical test verifications.” Not much else is publicly known about the satellite.

Unusual for Chinese rocket launch campaigns, the rocket and spacecraft were transported by rail and road to the launch site because the usual method, an Antonov 124 cargo plane, was grounded due to an engine incident.

More Information

CAST press release (Chinese)

Launch video