On Monday, China initiated the launch of a new quartet of satellites into space, forming part of the Tianmu-1 weather satellite system.
These satellites, numbered 11 through 14, were launched at 9:00 a.m. Beijing Time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China aboard a Kuaizhou-1A rocket.
The satellites successfully reached their designated orbit and are set to deliver commercial meteorological data services.
This follows previous launches in the Tianmu-1 series, with satellites 01 and 02 launched on January 9, satellites 03 to 06 on March 22, and satellites 07 to 10 on July 20.
The objective of the Tianmu-1 constellation is to gather comprehensive global atmospheric data, aiding in the monitoring of the ocean, atmosphere, and ionosphere at all times. This latest launch signifies the 23rd mission undertaken using Kuaizhou-1A carrier rockets.
Last June, China launched a Long March-2D carrier rocket, placing 41 satellites into orbit and setting a local record for the highest number of satellites launched on a single rocket.
According to the Chinese news agency, the rocket took off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China. It quickly carried the satellites, including the Jilin-1 Gaofen-06A satellite, to their predetermined orbits.
The launch website stated that these satellites will be used for commercial remote sensing data services and technology verification. This mission marks the 476th flight of the Long March rocket series.
China’s achievement in launching 41 satellites on a single rocket demonstrates its growing capabilities in the space industry. The successful deployment of these satellites will contribute to various fields, including remote sensing, communication, and scientific research.
