China on Tuesday launched the Lijian-1 Y12 carrier rocket to send eight satellites into space.

The rocket blasted off at 12:03 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China. It successfully sent the satellites into their planned orbits.

Satellites for a bank

The satellites, belonging to the Jixing Gaofen 07A02 series, can carry out high-resolution optical remote sensing. These satellites feature three core capabilities: ultra-high imaging resolution, highly integrated systems and onboard intelligence, according to CAS Space, the company behind the launch.

The satellites can capture detailed panchromatic images and support multiple imaging modes, including stereo imaging, strip stitching and inertial space imaging. They operate across five spectral bands – panchromatic, blue, green, red and near-infrared – delivering multi-dimensional visual data for applications ranging from urban planning to agricultural monitoring.

Specifically, these satellites will help the Postal Savings Bank of China monitor the projects they invested, like farms, forests and power plants from home to abroad. The data collected will also support the bank's risk management.

Lijian-1 enters regular operation

This launch marks the 12th flight mission of Lijian-1 carrier rocket series. Since its debut, the vehicle has placed 92 satellites into orbit with a combined payload mass exceeding 12 tonnes.

The Lijian-1 serves the small satellite launch market, offering both dedicated launches for single customers and rideshare missions where multiple payloads share a rocket. The dedicated launch option allows customers to customize orbital parameters and launch windows based on their specific satellite requirements, promising faster turnaround from contract signing to orbital insertion.

The successful mission signals the start of what CAS Space describes as "regularized launch operations" for the Lijian-1.