China launched a Long March-2D rocket on Monday, sending four satellites of the Beijing-3C satellite constellation into designated orbits.
The rocket lifted off 11:06 a.m. from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province.
This was the 523rd flight mission of the Long March rocket series. Previously, the Long March-2D carrier rocket sent Beijing-3A and Beijing-3B satellites into orbit.
A Long March-2D rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, May 20, 2024. /CMG
Developed by the Fifth Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the Beijing-3C constellation is a fleet of high-resolution optical remote sensing satellites.
These satellites capture detailed images of Earth, offering valuable data for various applications. Once operational, the four satellites will work together in a synchronized network, providing crucial support in areas like land and resource management, agricultural surveys, environmental monitoring and comprehensive urban planning.