China Launches 70 Rockets in 9 Months, Setting a Record
China recorded 70 rocket launches in the first nine months of 2026, compared to 59 a year earlier, marking a record for the period, according to National Bureau of Statistics data.
Data from China's National Bureau of Statistics, released on October 19, showed that China launched 70 rockets in the first nine months of the year, compared to 59 launches a year earlier, a record for this period.
The Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site completed the second phase of its main works in September and will add two new launch pads, raising its annual capacity to more than 60 launches.
The site completed 23 launches and placed 239 satellites into orbit by the end of September. The expansion comes to support the country's increasing launch pace.
The figures indicate that the launch pace in 2026 surpasses the trajectory recorded in 2025 so far, while awaiting fourth-quarter data. The increase reflects an expansion in Chinese commercial and civil capabilities.
What Do These Terms Mean?
Launch Pad: The ground structure on which the rocket is assembled, prepared, and launched from, including supporting systems and services.
Space Payload: Everything a rocket carries into space, such as satellites, scientific equipment, or supply vehicles.
Orbit: The path taken by an object in space moving around another body due to gravity, such as the orbit of satellites around Earth.
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