At 2241 GMT on 9 March, China launched a pair of Tianhui-6 satellites to sun-synchronous LEO. The mission took place from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China, and utilised a Long March 4C (CZ-4C) rocket. The two spacecraft, Tianhui-6 A and B, are described as having geographic mapping and land resource survey missions like previous units in the Tianhui series. However, it is believed by Western observers that these functions are also utilised by the Chinese armed forces for military purposes.
The Long March 4C rocket lifts-off carrying the satellite pair. Courtesy: Xinhua/Zheng Bin
