China expanded its space capabilities with the successful launch of a new data tracking and relay communications satellite, Tianlian-2 (04). A Long March 3B rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on March 26, 2025, at 11:55 a.m. Eastern (1555 UTC).
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirmed the launch's success, revealing the payload as the Tianlian-2 (04) satellite. This satellite is now in geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) and will move to its operational position in the geostationary belt, approximately 35,786 kilometers above the equator.
Tianlian-2 (04) is part of China's second-generation geostationary orbit (GEO) data relay satellite system. It will provide essential data relay and telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) services for various missions. These include the Tiangong space station, Shenzhou spacecraft, and other satellites in medium- and low-Earth orbit. The system's near-constant coverage, achieved through strategically placed satellites, recently supported a seven-hour-long extravehicular activity near the Tiangong station.
Compared to the Tianlian-2 (03) launched in July 2022, Tianlian-2 (04) boasts significant technical upgrades in transmission capacity and response speed. These improvements aim to fulfill the growing domestic demand for data and TT&C services, while also boosting the autonomy and security of China’s second-generation relay system, according to CASC.
The Long March 3B rocket, a mainstay for geosynchronous launches, was provided by CALT, a major rocket manufacturer under CASC. This launch marked China's 15th orbital launch of 2025, following several launches by Galactic Energy with their Ceres-1 solid propellant rockets.
CASC's plans for 2025 remain undisclosed, however, given China's expanding spaceport capabilities, megaconstellation projects, and the introduction of new launchers, the country could potentially exceed 100 launches this year, surpassing the record 68 launches in 2024. Future major missions include the Shenzhou-20 and 21 human spaceflight missions and the Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission, expected to launch around May.