As reported by Ukrinform, Xinhua reported the successful launch.

The spacecraft was launched into Earth orbit on February 29 at 21:03 local time (15:03 Kiev time) with the Long March-3B launch vehicle launched from the Xichang Cosmodrome in southwestern Sichuan province.

Xinhua did not elaborate on the details, but SpaceNews reported that it was the Internet-01 high orbit satellite (Weixing Hulianwan Gaogui-01) developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).

The new device was created as part of China’s efforts to expand its space infrastructure and is intended to enable communications over long distances and improve the quality of telecommunications services in the region. It will be used to provide coverage in key regions across China and along Beijing’s global Belt and Road initiative.

The satellite is expected to play a key role in developing 5G networks and supporting various space exploration missions.

China currently operates the ChinaSat (Zhongxing) series of geostationary communications satellites and last February launched ChinaSat-26, the first high-speed Internet satellite providing data transfer speeds of over 100 gigabits per second (Gbps).

This mission was the 510th flight of the liquid-fueled three-stage Long March launch vehicles, capable of launching up to 1 ton of payload into Earth orbit.

According to Ukrinform, China plans to start operating its first spaceport for commercial spacecraft this year and carry out a record number of 100 space launches for the country.

Photo: “Xinhua”