China launched a new test communication satellite on Thursday in a pivotal step to validate technology essential for next-generation orbital connectivity speeds and reliability.
The Communication Technology Test Satellite No 25 was sent into orbit on a Long March 5 rocket launched from the Wenchang spaceport in the southern island province of Hainan at 3.30pm on Thursday.
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The mission is the 11th flight for the Long March 5 series and its first launch of the year.
The Long March 5 has a carrying capacity of 25 tonnes to low-Earth orbit, 14 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit and 8.25 tonnes to trans-lunar injection, suggesting that the satellite deployed in this mission was relatively heavy.

The choice of Wenchang remains strategic for heavy payloads.

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