Tianlian – Spaceflight Now

August 7, 2026

Breaking News

[ August 6, 2026 ] Blue Origin identifies engine issue behind New Glenn explosion New Glenn
[ August 6, 2026 ] NASA, Northrop Grumman repurpose Gateway elements for Moon Base demo missions Artemis
[ August 5, 2026 ] SpaceX launches 3 AST SpaceMobile BlueBird satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Falcon 9
[ August 4, 2026 ] SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB Falcon 9
[ July 29, 2026 ] SpaceX launches classified payload for National Reconnaissance Office Falcon 9

China launches tracking and data relay satellite

March 31, 2019 Stephen Clark

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket delivered a new-generation tracking and data relay satellite to orbit Sunday to provide communications support for the country’s future human spaceflight missions and space station.

China launches data relay satellite for future space station crews

November 22, 2016 Stephen Clark

China added a fourth craft Tuesday to a network of geostationary data relay satellites tasked with keeping mission control in steady contact with Shenzhou crew capsules and a planned space station.