China launches internet satellite group

A group of low Earth orbit satellites is launched by a Long March-5B carrier rocket with a Yuanzheng-2 (Expedition-2) upper stage atop the rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 16, 2024. (Photo by Du Xinxin/Xinhua)

China successfully sent the first group of low Earth orbit satellites for a satellite internet constellation from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in southern Hainan Province on Monday.

At 6:00 p.m. (Beijing Time), this group of satellites was launched by a Long March-5B carrier rocket with a Yuanzheng-2 (Expedition-2) upper stage atop the rocket. The satellites have entered the preset orbits.

The launch marked the 552nd mission of the Long March series carrier rockets.