China's Milestone: Top-Secret Spy Satellite Launched on Supersized Rocket
China launched a classified military spy satellite, Yaogan-41, on its largest rocket, the Long March 5. The rocket was upgraded with a taller payload fairing to accommodate the satellite. The Chinese government claims that Yaogan-41 is a high-altitude optical remote sensing satellite, potentially indicating its placement in geosynchronous orbit. This orbit would provide continuous views of a significant portion of the Earth's surface. While China states that the satellite will be used for civilian purposes, it is likely to have military applications, including tracking US Navy ships and allied vessels in the Indo-Pacific region.