Long March 5 launches classified satellite, Zhuque-2E lofts direct-to-device test sats

China has conducted a pair of launches to advance its communications capabilities, using the country’s largest rocket and a commercial launcher. The Long March 5 lifted off at 3:30 a.m. Eastern (0730 UTC) June 11 from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan island, targeting geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirmed the success of the launch, revealing the previously undisclosed payload to be the Tongxin Jishu Shiyan-25 (TJS-25). More

(Source: SpaceNews - Jun 12)