A Long March 3B carrier rocket was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan Province on Jan 20, sending the Tiantong 1-03 satellite into orbit.
The rocket is hoisted. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the Tiantong 1-03 satellite will form a mobile network with ground facilities to provide stable and reliable 24/7 mobile communication services like voice, short messaging and data for users in China and surrounding areas, as well as the Middle East, Africa and other related regions including most sea areas in the Pacific and Indian oceans.
The Long March 3B carrier rocket is ready for launch on Jan 20. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The newly-launched satellite is a part of Tiantong-1, a satellite mobile communication system independently developed by China. The system consists of space and ground segments, and a user terminal.
The launch on Jan 20 was the 358th Long March rocket flight and China's first space launch of 2021.
The Long March 3B carrier rocket, carrying the Tiantong 1-03 satellite, is launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province on Jan 20. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)
