China Launches Communication Test Satellite No. 24
China successfully launched the Communication Technology Test Satellite No. 24 (TJSW-24) early Wednesday morning, continuing its systematic deployment of advanced satellite communication capabilities. The satellite lifted off at 00:16 Beijing time on May 27 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan Province aboard a Long March 7A (CZ-7A) carrier rocket, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Mission Overview
The satellite successfully entered its predetermined orbit, and the launch was declared a complete success. This mission marked the 645th flight of the Long March carrier rocket series, underscoring China’s rapidly accelerating launch cadence. The launch came just days after the Shenzhou-23 crewed mission lifted off on May 24, highlighting the intensity of China’s space program operations.
Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation’s (CASC) Eighth Academy, also known as the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), TJSW-24 is designed primarily for multi-band, high-rate satellite communication technology verification, as reported by IT之家 (IT Home). The satellite will provide critical in-orbit test data to support the iterative upgrade of China’s satellite communication technology.
Long March 7A Milestone
The Long March 7A rocket, developed by CASC’s First Academy (China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology / CALT), is a new-generation medium-lift high-orbit liquid-fueled launch vehicle. This mission carried particular significance as it marked the first use of a newly built assembly and test facility, where the CZ-7A rocket completed its integration and testing. It was also the first joint mission for the new facility and new ground-based launch control equipment.
According to Guancha.cn (Observer Network), which cited the WeChat public account “Our Space,” the CZ-7A rocket’s technical status and management processes have matured and stabilized, with expanded production capacity to meet future high-density launch demands. The rocket can accommodate both 4.2-meter and 3.7-meter diameter fairings and is capable of single-satellite and dual-satellite launches.
The TJSW Satellite Series
The Communication Technology Test Satellite (TJSW) series, first launched in September 2015, has become a cornerstone of China’s space-based technology development. With the launch of TJSW-24, China has now deployed 24 satellites in the series over approximately 10.5 years. According to publicly available information, the series encompasses two primary sub-types: the “Qianshao” (Outpost) series for communication technology verification and the “Huoyan” (Fire Eye) series, which is understood to have applications in ballistic missile early warning and signals intelligence.
All 23 previously launched TJSW satellites remain operational, primarily in geostationary orbit (GEO) and highly elliptical orbit (HEO). The choice of the Wenchang launch site, located at 19°N latitude on Hainan Island, provides significant energy advantages for geostationary launches due to the Earth’s rotational velocity at low latitudes.
Strategic Implications
The launch of TJSW-24 carries multiple layers of significance. Technologically, China continues to advance its satellite communication capabilities, with potential applications spanning both civilian broadband services and military command-and-control systems. The focus on “multi-band, high-rate” communication suggests China is developing technologies that could support next-generation networks, including 5G and 6G integration.
Industrially, the maturation of the CZ-7A rocket and the commissioning of new production facilities signal China’s intent to significantly increase its launch frequency for geostationary missions. The TJSW program alone saw four launches in 2025 before this one, indicating an accelerated deployment schedule.
Strategically, the dual-use nature of the TJSW series — with publicly stated communication technology objectives alongside well-documented military applications — reflects China’s broader approach to space development, where civilian and military capabilities are developed in parallel.
What’s Next
With the CZ-7A rocket now operating from expanded production facilities and a new assembly complex, China is positioned to maintain or increase its launch tempo for geostationary missions. The TJSW series is expected to continue, with each new satellite providing incremental advances in communication technology. As China’s space program pushes forward — following closely on the heels of the Shenzhou-23 crewed mission — the country’s growing orbital infrastructure continues to expand both in scale and sophistication.
Sources: Xinhua News Agency, IT之家 (IT Home), Guancha.cn (Observer Network), China Daily