18 April 2025 year Fr. 22:51 UTC successfully launched a Long March 6A rocket from the Taiyuan Spaceport in North China, which delivered six experimental satellites of the Shiyan-27 series into space (01–06). This was reported by the Shanghai Academy of Space Technology (Hes) .
Satellites with a classified purpose.
No images or technical specifications of the devices were provided. SAST notes, that the satellites are intended for the study of the space environment and technical tests, but such formulations are traditionally used for piloted or defense technology missions.
The satellites were launched into high-altitude orbits 1000 × 1010 km with a slope of 99.7°, and the upper stage remained in orbit 834 × 990 km, according to the US Space Force Catalogue.
Previously, other satellites of the Shiyan series operated as low polar orbits, as well as in geostationary and even highly elliptical orbits - as was the case with Shiyan-10.
Features of the Long March 6A missile:
- The length of the rocket – 50 meters.
- Takeoff mass – 530 tons.
- Casing with liquid fuel (kerosene + lox) in combination with lateral solid fuel boosters - a unique combination for Chinese missile technology.
- It has a separate launch pad at the Taiyuan Spaceport.
Launch 18 April was the 11th flight of the Long March 6A rocket, all of which were successful. However, some of its upper stages fragmented in orbit, creating space debris is an important aspect for control of near-Earth space.
It was used for the first time during this flight “wall placement of satellites” (multi-satellite wall-mounted deployment), in which the devices are attached around the central structure, rather than stacking vertically. This made integration difficult, however, it made it possible to place several satellites at once more efficiently.
Context and future plans.
This launch was China's 20th orbital mission in 2025 year. It took place after the launch of the secret satellite TJS-17 by the Long March 3B rocket (10 April).
In the coming days, the launch of the manned Shenzhou-20 mission by the Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Cosmodrome is expected, and later this year – Shenzhou-21.
Source: https://spacenews.com/china-launches-6-classified-experimental-satellites-with-long-march-6a/