The week of May 19, 2025, promises a flurry of space activities, with SpaceX leading the charge with its Starlink constellation deployments. The company is not only planning multiple launches but also initiating a new orbital shell for its satellites. Meanwhile, China and Russia have their own missions lined up, adding to the global space endeavor. This roundup provides a detailed look into the scheduled launches, offering enthusiasts and industry professionals a comprehensive overview of the week’s space events.
Understanding these launches is crucial as they signify advancements in satellite technology, global communication infrastructure, and international space collaboration. The expansion of the Starlink network, coupled with missions from China and Russia, highlights the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of space exploration and utilization. The following sections will delve into the specifics of each launch, providing insights into the payloads, launch vehicles, and mission objectives.
China Launches Zhongxing-3B Communications Satellite
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 11:50 UTC, China successfully launched the Zhongxing-3B (ChinaSat-3B) communications satellite from Launch Complex 201 (LC-201) at the Wenchang Space Launch Site. The launch window spanned from 11:42 UTC to 13:11 UTC. The Chang Zheng 7A (CZ-7A) rocket, standing 58 meters tall, flew eastward from the launch site, carrying the satellite into orbit.
The CZ-7A is a three-stage rocket, augmented by four strap-on boosters. The first two stages and the boosters utilize liquid oxygen and RP-1 propellants, while the third stage is powered by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. This launch marked the second CZ-7A flight of 2025 and the tenth overall since its introduction in 2020. The Zhongxing-3B satellite is expected to enhance China’s communication capabilities, providing more reliable and widespread services.
SpaceX Launches Starlink Group 12-15 Mission
SpaceX successfully launched its Starlink Group 12-15 mission on Tuesday, May 20, at 11:18:10 PM EDT (Wednesday, May 21, at 03:18:10 UTC). A brand-new Falcon 9 booster, B1095, propelled the mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, delivering the satellites to low-Earth orbit (LEO).
The launch, initially planned for Monday, May 19, was scrubbed at T-2:28 due to fueling process considerations. The Falcon 9 carried 23 Starlink satellites, including ten v2 Mini and 13 Direct-to-Cell variants. Following stage separation, booster B1095 successfully landed on the autonomous droneship Just Read The Instructions, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This mission represented the 60th Falcon 9 and SpaceX mission of 2025.
China Plans Launch of Kinetica 1 Rocket
Another Chinese launch was scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, at 04:00 UTC. During a launch window from 03:54 to 04:15 UTC, a Kinetica 1 rocket was set to lift off from Site 130 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China. Hazard notices indicated a southwesterly trajectory for the flight.
This mission marks the first Kinetica 1 flight of 2025 and the seventh overall. The Kinetica 1 is a 31-meter tall, four-stage rocket that first flew in July 2022. All four stages are powered by solid fuel and solid rocket motors. The specifics of the payload remain undisclosed, but the launch underscores China’s continued advancements in space technology.
SpaceX to Launch Starlink Group 11-16 from Vandenberg
The second Falcon 9 launch of the week was scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, at 2:20 PM PDT (21:20 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at the Vandenberg Space Force Base (SFB) in California. The Starlink Group 11-16 mission was planned as the first of two Starlink launches from Vandenberg this week.
Falcon 9 was set to deploy a batch of Starlink v2 Mini satellites into LEO on a southeasterly trajectory. The booster, yet to be confirmed, was expected to land on the autonomous droneship Of Course I Still Love You, stationed approximately 640 km downrange in the Pacific Ocean. This launch continues SpaceX’s rapid deployment of its Starlink constellation.
Russia to Launch Unknown Payload on Soyuz Rocket
A Russian Soyuz 2.1a rocket with a Fregat-M fourth stage was scheduled to launch an undisclosed payload on Friday, May 23, at 07:00 UTC from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northwestern Russia. Hazard notices indicated a northeasterly trajectory to an orbit inclined at 67 degrees.
The Soyuz 2.1a is powered by multiple engines across its stages, utilizing liquid oxygen and RP-1 kerosene as propellants. The Fregat-M fourth stage uses hypergolic propellants that ignite on contact. This launch represents the third Soyuz launch of 2025 and the 113th orbital launch attempt worldwide this year. The nature of the payload remains a subject of speculation.
Second Starlink Mission from Cape Canaveral
SLC-40 was also prepared to host a second Starlink mission this week, Starlink Group 12-22, on Saturday, May 24, at 1:19 PM EDT (17:19 UTC). The Falcon 9 booster, still to be identified, was planned to lift a combination of Starlink v2 Mini and Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellites to LEO, following a southeasterly trajectory.
The booster was slated to land on one of the two SpaceX autonomous droneships in the Atlantic Ocean, either Just Read the Instructions or A Shortfall of Gravitas. This mission highlights SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to expand and enhance its Starlink network with advanced satellite technology.
SpaceX to Begin New Starlink Shell Construction
The construction of a new Starlink group shell was set to commence on Sunday, May 25, at 9:14 AM PDT (16:14 UTC), with a Falcon 9 launch from SLC-4E at Vandenberg carrying the Starlink Group 17-1 mission. This mission was planned to follow a southern trajectory, placing the satellites into a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at a 97-degree inclination—a first for the constellation.
This launch marks the first Starlink group to be placed into polar orbit since Group 3, which utilized v1.5 satellites. The booster, yet to be announced, was expected to land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship. This mission signifies a strategic expansion of the Starlink constellation into new orbital planes.
The week of May 19, 2025, is poised to be a landmark period for space activities, showcasing the ambitious endeavors of SpaceX, China, and Russia. SpaceX’s Starlink launches, including the initiation of a new orbital shell, demonstrate the company’s commitment to expanding global internet access. Meanwhile, China’s Zhongxing-3B launch and planned Kinetica 1 mission highlight the nation’s growing capabilities in space technology.
Russia’s scheduled Soyuz launch with an unknown payload adds an element of intrigue to the week’s events. These missions collectively underscore the dynamic and multifaceted nature of modern space exploration, with each contributing to advancements in satellite technology, communication infrastructure, and scientific knowledge. As these launches unfold, they will undoubtedly shape the future of space-based services and international cooperation in space.
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