10 satellites

Where it was visible

Twilight launch: the Sun will be 12° below the horizon at the pad (after sunset). The exhaust plume should climb into sunlight against a dark sky — a "space jellyfish" is likely if it's clear.

None of the major cities we track had a good view; it's visible mainly near the pad.

Estimates from a typical ascent toward the likely orbit. Real trajectories, cloud and haze vary; the farther away, the lower and shorter the view.

Mission

Ride-share of 10 satellites to sun-synchronous orbit, including: * Guangchuan-03 & 04 (LT-03/04) from LandSpace's subsidiary LandTower for testing and demonstrating LEO communication satellite constellation technologies, including high-speed laser communication nodes/terminals and new-type solar array power systems. * 8 satellites (XSD-39 and XSD-44 through XSD-50) for ADA Space for technology verification of high-performance on-board computing modules, inter-satellite/satellite-to-ground laser communication, and testing of large radiator wings.

Launch time (UTC)

Oct 14, 11:40 UTC

Precision

Minute

Window

Oct 14, 11:33 UTC – Oct 14, 12:19 UTC

Orbit

SSO

Mission type

Technology

Pad

Launch Area 96A

Rocket · Zhuque-2E Block 2

Zhuque-2E (E stands for “enhanced”) is a medium-sized rocket powered by liquid oxygen and methane capable of lifting 6,000 kg of payload into a 200 km low Earth orbit, or 4,000 kg of payload into a 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit. It differs from the baseline Zhuque-2 in using enhanced TQ-12A engines on the 1st stage with higher thrust and specific impulse than the original TQ-12, and a new TQ-15A engine on the 2nd stage that has a moveable nozzle. The Block 2 variant lengthens the 1st stage with more propellant load and a lighter structure, plus engines with still more increased thrust to reach the capabilities listed above.

Height

55.9 m

Diameter

3.35 m

Liftoff mass

267 t

Liftoff thrust

3,312 kN

To LEO

6,000 kg

Track record

4 / 4 successful

Success streak

4

First flight

2026-05-14

Reusable

No