China’s Lijian-1 Launches Five Satellites, Breaks 100 Mark
China successfully launched five satellites into orbit on July 24, 2026, using a Lijian-1 carrier rocket from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Experimental Zone at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The mission, which lifted off at 07:33 Beijing Time, marked the 15th flight of the Lijian-1 rocket and pushed its cumulative satellite count past 100 — the first Chinese commercial rocket to achieve this milestone, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Lijian-1: China’s Workhorse Commercial Rocket
Developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Institute of Mechanics and manufactured by CAS Space (中科宇航), the Lijian-1 is China’s largest solid-fuel carrier rocket. The July 24 launch was the fourth Lijian-1 mission in 2026 alone, following flights in April, May, and June — demonstrating a steady monthly cadence that reflects the program’s maturation from prototype testing to industrial-scale operations.
CAS Space has established a pulse production line in Guangzhou Nansha, enabling standardized assembly and rapid turnaround between launches. The rocket’s “de-missionization” universal design reduces launch site testing requirements, as detailed by CLS (Cailian Press), which quoted Lijian-1 Deputy Commander Meng Xiangfu explaining that the high-density launch cadence is enabled by a full-chain industrial production system.
The Five Satellites and Their Missions
The payloads represent a diverse cross-section of China’s commercial space ambitions, spanning Earth observation, space situational awareness, artificial intelligence, and meteorology:
- Tianyi 48 (天仪48星): An Earth observation and scientific research satellite operated by Tianyi Research Institute (Spacety), part of a growing constellation for remote sensing.
- Gande-1 01 (甘德一号01星): China’s first dedicated commercial space debris monitoring satellite, reflecting a growing focus on orbital safety and space situational awareness.
- Xiguang-2 03 (西光贰号03星): An infrared smart remote sensing satellite designed for advanced imaging capabilities.
- Jitianxing A-04 (吉天星A-04星): Carries an on-orbit intelligent computing payload powered by the Muxi (沐曦) GPU chip, designed to verify space-based AI computing capabilities.
- Yinglong Fengguang-1 (应龙风光一号卫星): A commercial meteorological observation satellite.
According to the China National Space Administration, all satellites successfully entered their intended orbits. The mission employed a rideshare (拼车发射) model, efficiently distributing launch costs across multiple customers.
A Commercial Space Milestone
With this launch, the Lijian-1 rocket has now deployed 110 satellites with a total payload mass exceeding 16 tons. The rocket has served over 30 customers, including six international clients, and has captured 100% of China’s commercial rocket external launch market, according to Science and Technology Daily.
The achievement underscores China’s rapid acceleration in commercial space, where government encouragement of private sector participation has fueled a wave of new entrants and capabilities. The monthly launch cadence achieved by CAS Space parallels similar high-frequency launch operations seen internationally, though on a smaller scale than operators like SpaceX.
Implications for China’s Space Sector
The Lijian-1 program’s transition to industrial-scale production represents a significant step for China’s commercial aerospace industry. The rocket’s full-chain production system — combining core in-house development with strategic supplier partnerships — has enabled CAS Space to maintain a near-monopoly position in China’s domestic commercial launch market.
Industry observers note that the diverse payloads on this single mission — from space debris monitoring to AI computing verification — demonstrate the broadening scope of commercial space activities in China. The inclusion of China’s first dedicated commercial space debris monitoring satellite signals that orbital safety has become a commercial priority alongside traditional Earth observation and communications.
What’s Next
CAS Space has indicated that it expects to maintain a monthly launch cadence for the remainder of 2026, with the Lijian-1 serving as the backbone of China’s commercial satellite deployment efforts. As competitors emerge and the market matures, the company will face questions about whether it can maintain its dominant market position while scaling operations further.
For now, however, the 15th flight of the Lijian-1 stands as a testament to the rapid industrialization of China’s commercial space sector — a rocket that began as a research project has become the country’s primary gateway to orbit for commercial payloads.
Video coverage of the launch is available via China News Service.