Communication technology test satellite 15 is successfully launched

At 1:17 on March 10, 2025, a Long March 3B launch vehicle carrying the communication technology test satellite 15 blast off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite was precisely deployed into the destination orbit, signaling a complete success of the launch mission. Developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, the satellite is primarily intended for validating multi-band, high-speed satellite communication technologies.

Addressing Resource Challenges through Concurrent Development of Multiple Satellites

Confronted with intensive launch mission schedules, the development team tackled difficulties head-on and actively sought innovative solutions. During the satellite’s development, all team members fulfilled their respective duties, demonstrating outstanding expertise and teamwork spirit.

Under the systemic resource pressures introduced by the concurrent development of multiple satellites, conflicts in reallocating personnel and reusing testing equipment emerged as major barriers to advancing the mission. To address this, the model team applied a critical chain project management technique, and developed a detailed satellite development and AIT (Assembly, Integration, and Testing) plan, leveraging its overall planning and organizational coordination capabilities. By streamlining and optimizing processes including assembly, testing, etc., the team efficiently allocated personnel and testing equipment, thus ensuring effective and orderly resource utilization, and enabling a single team to simultaneously support the concurrent development, launch, and flight control of multiple satellites. 

Boosting Efficiency through Carrying Forward Previous Achievements

Throughout the mission, the project team attached great importance to the transfer and sharing of experience among different satellite models. Through collaborative efforts, they have enhanced the improvement of both development technologies and management efficiency for all satellite models of the series. Upon the satellite’s arrival at the launch site, the team conducted a systematic review of work summaries from previous models at different positions at the launch site, gained valuable insights from the pre- and post-event reviews, and collaborated to resolve complex challenges, leading to a significant improvement in overall efficiency. This mission spanned the entire Spring Festival period, during which three test engineers remained dedicated to their duties, demonstrating a high sense of responsibility and commitment, which provides strong support for the satellite’s successful launch.

Driven by steadfast commitment and a deep sense of responsibility, they forge ahead in the boundless expanse of space, embarking on a new journey. The satellite test team thoroughly studied and implemented the principles of the Third Plenary Session of the 20^th CPC Central Committee, insisted on the Party leadership, and strengthened their unity through activities like pledges by Party member, inspiring all team members to secure the success of the mission through effort and commitment.  Moving forward, the team will remain committed to the spirit of perseverance, advance with a cautious attitude and steadfast determination, and strive to make even greater contributions to the high-quality development of the aerospace industry and the rapid development of China to a space power.