China’s Long March program faces Chang’e-7 delay as Long March 6C returns and CAS Space targets 2027 upper-stage debut
China has rolled back the Long March 5 slated for the Chang’e-7 lunar mission, pushing the flight back by about a year, even as a Long March 6C rideshare mission placed seven Earth-imaging satellites into orbit. CAS Space also plans to begin offering beyond-LEO missions with its Kinastra upper stage in early 2027.