State-owned contractor driving China's space program, with missile and space-tech divisions
JAXA has flown the RV-X, lifting it 11 metres and landing it upright 16 metres away at Noshiro, marking Japan’s first successful launch and landing of a rocket. China’s Long March-10B has achieved a sea-based net catch on its maiden flight, signaling a major step toward reusable launch technology. The stories show growing momentum in global efforts to reduce space-launch costs and expand access to space.
China has expelled Ma Xingrui from the Politburo amid Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign. Multiple sources describe a purge targeting a civilian Politburo member, with allegations of corruption, power-for-seats, and abuse of power. The move signals a widening crackdown at the highest political levels.
China has announced a failure in a Long March 7A launch carrying a ChinaSat 4B satellite. The blast occurred minutes into the flight after an in-flight anomaly, marking the first failure of this rocket family since 2020. Analysts are assessing the cause and potential implications for China’s space program.