A Long March-2D (CZ-2D) rocket launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, Northern China, at 0238 GMT on 5 May. The mission carried eight Jilin-1 Earth Observation satellites to a low Earth orbit (LEO). The primary payload was the larger Jilin-1 Kuanfu-01C satellite which was joined by seven additional Jilin-1 Gaofen-03D units (No. 27-33). The launch reportedly placed the payloads accurately into their “predetermined orbit”.
The Jilin-1 constellation is being built and operated by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. which intends to provide global imagery and video services in a range of resolutions and spectral bands. This launch takes the number of Jilin-1 satellites in-orbit to over 50.