Andrew Jones, Author at SpaceNews - Page 3 of 75

A Long March 6A rocket climbs above the launch tower at Taiyuan amid plumes of exhaust and a blue sky backdrop.

China launches fourth batch of Thousand Sails megaconstellation satellites

by Andrew Jones January 23, 2025January 23, 2025

Image of the moon's far side with the Earth visible in the background against the blackness of space, captured by the 2014 Chang’e-5 T1 mission. The lunar surface appears gray and cratered, highlighting the rugged terrain of the moon.

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China explores using orbiting lasers to power spacecraft on the moon

by Andrew Jones January 21, 2025January 21, 2025

A SAST (Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology) vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) rocket prototype during a test flight, kicking up dust from the ground. The rocket's engines emit a bright flame, indicating an active and controlled descent. The test was conducted in a desert-like environment under clear skies.

China performs high altitude reusable rocket test with uncertain outcome

by Andrew Jones January 20, 2025January 20, 2025

A Long March 2D rocket launches from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert under clear blue skies. The rocket emits bright orange exhaust as it ascends, with insulation tiles visibly detaching. The launch pad and surrounding sparse vegetation are captured in the foreground.

China launches Earth observation satellite for Pakistan

by Andrew Jones January 17, 2025January 17, 2025

PSLV-C60 rocket launches into the night sky from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, carrying the SpaDeX and POEM-4 payloads, December 30, 2024

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India completes on-orbit docking test in step towards major space plans

by Andrew Jones January 16, 2025January 16, 2025

A close-up image of the Yutu-2 rover taken by the Chang’e-4 lander, showing the six-wheeled rover on the gray, uneven lunar surface of Von Kármán crater. The rover’s solar panels are extended, reflecting sunlight, with tracks visible in the regolith behind it. The barren, cratered terrain of the Moon's far side stretches into the distance.

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Yutu-2 rover likely immobile on the moon after historic lunar far side mission

by Andrew Jones January 14, 2025January 14, 2025

Sea-based launch of a Jielong-3 (Smart Dragon-3) rocket on January 13, 2025, from the Haiyang Eastern Spaceport. The rocket ascends into a clear sky, leaving a trail of flame and smoke as it lifts off from a converted platform at sea, with the support vessel visible on the right.

Chinese sea launch sends 10 navigation enhancement satellites into orbit

by Andrew Jones January 13, 2025January 13, 2025

A dramatic nighttime launch of China's Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on December 16, 2024. Bright orange flames and thick clouds of white smoke illuminate the launchpad as the rocket ascends into the sky, carrying the first 10 satellites for the Guowang ('national net') low Earth orbit communications megaconstellation. Tall support towers frame the scene against the dark backdrop, highlighting the power and scale of the mission.

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China’s Guowang launch raises questions about satellite purpose and transparency

by Andrew Jones January 7, 2025January 7, 2025

Nighttime launch of the Long March 3B rocket carrying the Shijian-25 satellite, illuminating the surroundings at Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

China launches Shijian-25 satellite to test on-orbit refueling and mission extension technologies

by Andrew Jones January 6, 2025January 6, 2025

India eyes record year for space with 10 planned launches

by Andrew Jones January 3, 2025January 3, 2025