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A Long March 2D launched from Taiyuan at 06:51 CST on March 26, carrying Siwei Gaojing-2-05 & -06 (SuperView Neo-2) synthetic aperture radar satellites for China Siwei Survey and Mapping Technology. The mission debuted “a new 4.2-meter-diameter composite fairing” for the rocket. After commissioning, “the two satellites will fly as a pair, keeping about two hundred meters apart, before jointly beginning their all-day, all-weather, high-resolution (under one meter resolution) synthetic aperture radar Earth observation tasks.” The pair joins two previous duos launched in 2022 & 2024, supporting mapping, resource surveying, urban management, & marine monitoring.
Sustain Space Successfully Completes First Robotic Refueling Arm Test – China in Space [2026-03-27]
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Sustain Space & parent Emposat announced on March 25 that Xiyuan-0 (launched March 16) completed its first in-space robotic arm test, demonstrating core refueling precursor capabilities. The arm translated to a target docking port, held position, & exited, verifying “the basics of in-space servicing and refueling operations.” Testing covered four modes: autonomous path planning, ground teleoperation via joystick, vision-based closed-loop control, & force-compliant fine movements (drawing shapes). The arm is “the first developed outside of a state-owned enterprise” in China. Following further tests, the satellite will deploy a drag sphere for deorbiting.
Shenzhou-21 Crew Tidy Up Tiangong Following Recent Second Spacewalk – China in Space [2026-03-29]
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After their second spacewalk on March 16, the Shenzhou-21 crew (Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, Zhang Hongzhang) performed station maintenance, experiment work, & a “system-wide pressure emergency drill” simulating internal depressurization. Tasks included collecting samples for vestibular dynamics research, replacing combustion cabinet sampling lids, cleaning experiment chambers, & inspecting life support systems. The crew also underwent medical checks (ultrasounds, bone density, muscle strength) & exercised on a treadmill. They are approaching 150 days in orbit.
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Space Pioneer’s partially reusable Tianlong-3 may debut as early as March 30 from Jiuquan, according to NOTAM filings & imagery. The vehicle has been “reportedly ready for flight since late January” after a September 2025 static fire, following a June 2024 test stand anomaly. Payload details are unconfirmed, but notices align with Qianfan constellation orbits, & Space Pioneer “has a contract to prove their ability to launch Qianfan satellites in early 2026.” The first-stage will be expended as no downrange landing site exists. Tianlong-3 aims to deliver up to 22,000 kg to LEO in expendable configuration.
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