The Lingzhi‑09 Thai CubeSat, launched Tuesday aboard China's Long March‑6C rocket, marked the first time a Chinese commercial space firm has provided Southeast Asia with a complete satellite package, covering development, launch and in‑orbit delivery.
The rocket lifted off at 11:21 (Beijing Time) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, placing seven satellites into the planned orbit to cover key areas including remote sensing, technology validation and science education.
The delivery covers satellite development, launch and in-orbit delivery, according to GalaxySpace, a Beijing-based commercial space firm.
The Lingzhi-09 Thai CubeSat, on the one hand, collects remote sensing data for land, agriculture, and ecology; while on the other hand, supports Thai universities through hands-on practice in satellite research and development, space tracking, and remote sensing applications.
"Lingzhi-09 Thai CubeSat is the first overseas satellite that GalaxySpace is responsible for. GalaxySpace not only offers satellite delivery, but also provides comprehensive solutions on ground system and talent training. This cooperation has testified the GalaxySpace's full-chain overseas delivery service, demonstrating a complete export of GalaxySpace system's engineering expertise," said Zhang Peng, general manager of GalaxySpace's solution department.
Different from selling a satellite, GalaxySpace helps Thai customers understanding satellites better by offering delivery, operation and training services.
"We believe that the international cooperation plays a vital role in advancing space technology and innovation. We value partnership with organizations and experts around the world. As such, collaboration brings unique knowledge, experience and perspective that contribute to the growth of our national space capability," said Phee Choosri, deputy executive director of Thai Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency's space technology department.
Chinese space firm launches first full-service satellite package to Southeast Asia
Retired American teacher Ronald Sakolsky has shared his emotions at being able to enjoy a "dream" reunion with Chinese desert-control pioneer Yin Yuzhen, after the pair met to reflect on their desertification-control efforts a whole 27 years after their first encounter.
The remarkable story stretches all the way back to 1999, when Sakolsky was teaching English at a school in central China's Henan Province under a teachers' exchange program between the U.S. and China.
After watching a television news report featuring the tireless work of Yin, he was deeply moved and raised 5,000 U.S. dollars to help Yin and her husband in their afforestation efforts against desertification in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Months later, at the invitation of local officials, Sakolsky traveled to the desert to meet Yin in person. In a symbolic gesture, Yin kept one dollar as a souvenir of Sakolsky's kindness, while she also bought 50,000 saplings to plant.
After that brief visit deep in the heart of the expansive Mu Us Desert, the two lost touch and their transcontinental friendship faded with time.
But, in an incredible twist, that all changed earlier this year, when a public campaign across Chinese social media successfully tracked down the now 69-year-old Sakolsky in the United States.
The renewed connection quickly led to an online clamor for the pair to have a long-overdue reunion, and finally Sakolsky arrived in Ordos City on Sunday to once again meet Yin in person.
In a touching interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), Sakolsky could not hide his joy at this dream meeting becoming a reality, as he said the unexpected get together felt very different to how he had imagined it.
"It's definitely different, because I can touch her. In my imagination, it is just in my head. But I can touch her, I can hug her, and I can watch her cry and cry with her. I say it's a miracle because nobody could tell me that I would ever come to China in 1999. Definitely nobody could tell me that I would be back in China in 2026. But when you can touch your dream, it becomes a reality. It's not a dream anymore. So these last two days have been reality for me," said Sakolsky.
Seated next to him, Yin highlighted the importance of always keeping one's promises, no matter how long has passed.
"I believe that first, you have to be a good person, and then you can do things well," she said.
The passage of time between their first meeting is poignantly seen in the land cultivated by Yin. The small swathe of green she started over a quarter of a century ago has now expanded to more than 8 million trees, covering more than 11,000 acres of once-barren land.
US teacher shares emotion at "dream" reunion with Chinese desert-control pioneer
