China launched four new satellites for the Tianqi constellation from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Friday.

A Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) carrier rocket, carrying the four satellites named Tianqi 29-32, blasted off at 5:43 p.m. and successfully sent them into their preset orbit.

This group of satellites is part of China's Tianqi low-Earth orbit Internet of Things (IoT) constellation.

Once completed, the constellation will provide global data services for various applications, such as natural environment monitoring, emergency communication and intelligent tourism, promoting the technological upgrading of China's IoT information industry.

The KZ-1A is a small solid-fuel rocket featuring high orbit precision, a short preparation period and low launch costs. It is mainly used to launch low-orbit small satellites.

The launch marks the 33rd flight mission for the KZ series carrier rocket and the 27th mission for the KZ-1A.