SpaceSail DTC 01

Description

SpaceSail DTC 01 is the first of a pair of demonstration satellites for Direct-To-Cell (DTC) communications from Low Earth Orbit for SpaceSail and China Mobile.

The test flight validated the Block 2 design improvements.

The flight followed a southeast trajectory. The two-stage ZhuQue-2E Block 2, the latest variant of the first methane-fueled rocket to successfully launch a payload to orbit, can carry up to 6,000 kg to low-Earth orbit (LEO). This is the second ZhuQue-2E flight of the year. LandSpace is also developing its partially reusable ZhuQue-3 rocket, which launched on a demonstration flight last December.

This was ZhuQue 2’s 8th mission, Blue Arrow Aerospace Technology Co,. Ltd.’s 10th mission, and the 133rd orbital launch attempt of 2026.