Rocket Report: Lightning strikes in China; Starship launch on deck

• ▪Hungry for launch Rocket Report: Lightning strikes in China; Starship launch on deck Relativity Space announced plans to build a second rocket factory near Cape Canaveral, Florida.
• ▪Stephen Clark – Jul 24, 2026 10:34 am | 13 A Long March 3B rocket carrying the Tianlian II-06 satellite was struck by lightning shortly after lifting off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 8:00 pm local time on July 23, 2026.
• ▪Credit: Zhou Quan/VCG via Getty Images A Long March 3B rocket carrying the Tianlian II-06 satellite was struck by lightning shortly after lifting off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 8:00 pm local time on July 23, 2026.

14 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 23 hours. Coverage spans 3 points on the political spectrum — 2 lean left, 9 centre, 1 right.

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