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Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

COMAC begins taxi tests of C919-600 high-altitude variant for plateau airport operations

COMAC has started taxi testing of the shortened C919-600, a new narrowbody configuration intended to support operations from high-altitude airports such as those on the Tibetan Plateau. The ground-test step signals the program’s move toward proving suitability for challenging airport conditions.

2026-06-21T10:46:32.509803-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Tsinghua University spacecraft to join international Apophis study mission during 2029 Earth close approach

2026-06-19T03:51:12.914536-07:00

SpaceNews.com

China strings together 4 launches in 3 days—then extended silence after a Kuaizhou-11 liftoff

2026-06-17T05:19:23.257520-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Spark Space tests engine for electric-pump-fed rocket and raises multi-round funding in drive for scale

2026-06-18T07:49:30.120457-07:00

Hype Analysis

China's Aviation Industry in September 2024: Key Developments and Trends

October 3, 2024 - China's aviation industry in September 2024 expanded international routes, advanced the COMAC C919, and navigated competitive pressures. Read More.

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Air Data News

COMAC begins taxi tests of C919-600 high-altitude variant for plateau airport operations COMAC has started taxi testing of the shortened C919-600, a new narrowbody configuration intended to support operations from high-altitude airports such as those on the Tibetan Plateau. The ground-test step signals the program’s move toward proving suitability for challenging airport conditions.

2026-06-21T10:46:32.509803-07:00

COMAC begins taxi tests of C919-600 high-altitude variant for plateau airport operations

SpaceNews.com

Tsinghua University spacecraft to join international Apophis study mission during 2029 Earth close approach A spacecraft developed by Tsinghua University is set to join an international mission to study asteroid Apophis during its 2029 close approach to Earth. The contribution underscores growing academic and national participation in near-Earth object science during the key encounter window.

2026-06-19T03:51:12.914536-07:00

Tsinghua University spacecraft to join international Apophis study mission during 2029 Earth close approach

SpaceNews.com

Spark Space tests engine for electric-pump-fed rocket and raises multi-round funding in drive for scale Chinese startup Spark Space says it has completed engine testing for an electric-pump-fed rocket it claims could be the largest of its kind. The company has also secured a series of funding rounds, positioning the effort to advance from propulsion validation to full development and scale-up.

2026-06-18T07:49:30.120457-07:00

Spark Space tests engine for electric-pump-fed rocket and raises multi-round funding in drive for scale

SpaceNews.com

China strings together 4 launches in 3 days—then extended silence after a Kuaizhou-11 liftoff China conducted four launches within three days, including a Long March mission carrying Shijian-31 and a separate experimental satellite tasked with detecting the space environment. After a Kuaizhou-11 solid-rocket liftoff, reporting indicates an unusual long silence, raising questions about potential issues post-launch.

2026-06-17T05:19:23.257520-07:00

China strings together 4 launches in 3 days—then extended silence after a Kuaizhou-11 liftoff

SpaceNews.com

Tianwen-2 executes post-burn maneuvers ahead of July asteroid rendezvous, per radio tracking China’s Tianwen-2 has performed a series of small propulsive maneuvers after a June 7 main burn, with radio tracking indicating the spacecraft is shaping up for an asteroid rendezvous in July. The incremental burns suggest ongoing trajectory refinement to set up the final approach window.

2026-06-16T03:39:24.811197-07:00

Tianwen-2 executes post-burn maneuvers ahead of July asteroid rendezvous, per radio tracking

SpaceNews.com

Tianwen-2 makes series of burns on approach to asteroid, according to radio tracking

2026-06-16T03:39:24.811197-07:00

Tianwen-2 makes series of burn

NASA Spaceflight

China debuts LandSpace’s tallest rocket on internet-constellation mission; maiden raises questions over pre-launch airspace noti China launched an internet-constellation mission using three missions within nearly four days and also achieved orbit with the debut of LandSpace’s tallest rocket. The new booster insertion came with eyebrows raised over the apparent absence of airspace notices ahead of the flight.

2026-06-12T14:29:07.538710-07:00

China debuts LandSpace’s tallest rocket on internet-constellation mission; maiden raises questions over pre-launch airspace noti

Bloomberg

SpaceX’s Critical Minerals Plan Runs Through China

2026-06-11T12:44:39.232293-07:00

SpaceX’s Critical Minerals Pla

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COMAC begins taxi tests of C919-600 high-altitude variant for plateau airport operations

Tsinghua University spacecraft to join international Apophis study mission during 2029 Earth close approach

China strings together 4 launches in 3 days—then extended silence after a Kuaizhou-11 liftoff

Spark Space tests engine for electric-pump-fed rocket and raises multi-round funding in drive for scale

Hype Analysis

China's Aviation Industry in September 2024: Key Developments and Trends

News Timeline