At 0043 GMT, 29 October 2018, the CFOSAT mission was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, PRC, by an Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) Long March 2C (CZ-2C) rocket into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). CFOSAT (Chinese-French Oceanography Satellite) is a joint mission between the French space agency (CNES) and its Chinese counterpart (CNSA), designed to monitor ocean surface winds and waves.

The Long March 2C rocket lifting off from Jiuquan towards LEO. Courtesy of CGWIC
Alongside the primary payload there were several co-payloads sharing the ride to LEO. One of the co-payloads was an international customer from the Belarussian State University, BSUSAT-1, with the others coming from different organisations within China .