Andrew Jones

Journalist tracking China's space programme. Correspondent at @SpaceNews_Inc; @SPACEdotcom @exploreplanets @IEEESpectrum

[Mickey @mickeywzx]

Chang'e 7 south pole landing site illumination condition from 2026 Sep 1 to Dec 31. Plot on LRO/NAC data.

[Andrew Jones @AJ_FI]

Meanwhile, at Wenchang, the Long March 5 rocket to launch the Chang'e-7 lunar south pole landing mission is being rolled out.

[Andrew Jones @AJ_FI]

Successful VTVL landing for Landspace with Zhuque-3 Y2. China's second second successful orbital booster recovery.

[LandSpace @LandSpace_Tech]

MISSION SUCCESS | ZhuQue-3 Y2 Reusable Launch Vehicle Achieved Full Success in Orbital Insertion and First-Stage Recovery

On August 19, 2026, at 07:35 (UTC+8), the ZhuQue-3 (ZQ-3) Y2 reusable launch vehicle lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone. Approximately 137 seconds after lift-off, the first and second stages separated. The second stage continued its flight and successfully delivered the Honghu 03 satellite, independently developed by Hongqing Technology, into its designated orbit. At approximately 07:41, the first stage performed a successful soft touchdown at the LandSpace Landing Site#1 in Minqin County, Gansu Province, following the planned trajectory — marking the full success of the flight test mission.

[Andrew Jones @AJ_FI]

Statement from Landspace. Successful booster recovery and Honghu 03 satellite sent into orbit. https://t.co/ivkx2pr7Iv

[Andrew Jones @AJ_FI]

Liftoff

[Andrew Jones @AJ_FI]

Successful VTVL landing for Landspace with Zhuque-3 Y2. China's second second successful orbital booster recovery.

[Andrew Jones @AJ_FI]

Successful VTVL landing for Landspace with Zhuque-3 Y2. China's second second successful orbital booster recovery.

[Andrew Jones @AJ_FI]

The second Zhuque-3 just lifted off...

[NASA Solar System @NASASolarSystem]

Spotted: Falcon 9 impact site

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has captured images of a new crater on the Moon. The crater formed on Aug. 5, 2026, when a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage impacted the lunar surface. https://t.co/aqduBYwpmg

[Jonathan McDowell @planet4589]

LAUNCH at 1923 UTC Aug 10 of Japan's H3 flight F9 from Tanegashima with the Michibiki-7 navigation sat

[Scott Manley @DJSnM]

It's hard to tell how much the video screen footage is slowed down, but here's a rough attempt at syncing two views:

[Andrew Jones @AJ_FI]

@Rational314159 Would be a cascading nightmare

[Andrew Jones @AJ_FI]

We know very little at this stage, but this happened early in the flight. If it's related to the YF-100 engines, then that's an issue for Chang'e-7, currently scheduled to launch August 24.

[SpaceNews @SpaceNews_Inc]

Chinese Long March 7A rocket explodes shortly after liftoff https://t.co/bYC3cLHaBC

[Andrew Jones @AJ_FI]

A Long March 7A rocket that lifted off from Wenchang around 12:00 UTC today carrying an unknown payload exploded around 85 seconds into the flight.
https://t.co/26acDHSdrS

[Jeff Foust @jeff_foust]

Japanese lunar lander company ispace has announced it will launch its next lander, Mission 3, on an H3 rocket in 2028. It used Falcon 9 for its first two landers.

[SpaceNews @SpaceNews_Inc]

Swift reboost mission encounters attitude control problems https://t.co/jWFFD8UeGS

[Josef Aschbacher @AschbacherJosef]

Based on current information, the Cebreros station appears to have remained unharmed. My deepest thanks go to the Spanish emergency services whose efforts helped protect the site as wildfires approached.

The safety of our people remains my highest priority. All ESA workforce is safe and accounted for, although many colleagues continue to be affected by the wider emergency situation. I keep you all in my thoughts.

We remain in close contact with the relevant authorities as the situation continues to evolve. As always, I will keep my workforce and the public informed. Please keep safe.

Extreme heat and subsequent wildfires are the clearest indication that our climate is changing. I pledge to continue to advocate for increased monitoring and understanding of our planet.

More info: https://t.co/3vWKN3aAZf

Left: 24 July 19:57, Right: 25 July 07:54

[Cosmic Penguin @Cosmic_Penguin]

Damn this one is even more crazier than Apollo 12 and that Soyuz-2 that got hit launching at Plesetsk several years ago - the lightning strike actually clearly hit the ground here!
https://t.co/horjW1p9wq

[Rocket Factory Augsburg @rfa_space]

RFA ONE is on the launch pad. For the first time, our rocket is standing at SaxaVord Spaceport as we continue preparations for launch. Next step: first-stage hotfire testing.

[Andrew Jones @AJ_FI]

Looks like there's a NOTAM out indicating that the launch window for the Chang'e-7 lunar south polar landing mission opens at 0000 UTC August 24. Windows of 0000-0400 running through August 31.

[Andrew Jones @AJ_FI]

The Long March 5 rocket to launch the Chang'e-7 lunar south polar landing mission has arrived at Wenchang spaceport. Launch could occur around late August.
https://t.co/QGK7fibsA3