China’s EXPACE privateer launch company launched Kuaizhou-1A launch vehicle at about 0340 GMT on 13 November from the Jiuquan launch site in China. The launch reportedly placed the 230 kg Jilin-1 Gaofen 02A imaging satellite into a sun-synchronous low Earth orbit for the Chang Guang Satellite Technology Ltd.
In separate event on the same day, China launched the Ningzia 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 satellites on a Long March 6 vehicle from Taiyun Satellite Launch Centre at 0635 GMT. The satellites will be used for commercial Earth observation and were developed by the DFH Satellite Co and are owned by the Ningxia Jingui Information Technology Co Ltd.
Phil Hylands contributed to this report.
