At 4:55 p.m. on Sunday, the Chinese mainland successfully launched Shiyan-28B 02 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan. Mounted on a Long March-4C rocket, the satellite entered its preset orbit, marking the 589th flight mission of the Long March series.
Shiyan-28B 02 will focus on space environment exploration and technology validation. Its suite of experiments aims to gather data on radiation levels, plasma dynamics and thermal variations in low Earth orbit. These real-world tests could accelerate the development of more resilient satellites and inform future mission designs.
For young global citizens and tech enthusiasts, this launch is a reminder that space is evolving into a live lab. Instead of one-off missions, orbiters now host iterative trials to refine hardware and software under real conditions—bridging the gap between prototypes and full-scale deployments.
As the Long March fleet edges toward its 600th mission, the Chinese mainland’s rapid launch pace is reshaping the space landscape. With Shiyan-28B 02 now circling Earth, researchers and companies worldwide will watch closely for insights that could drive breakthroughs in communications, navigation and Earth observation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
