China launched four new communications satellites this week in two launches from different launch sites, within hours of each other, as the country’s intense launch activity continues.
First up, a Long March 2C lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, northwest China, at 7:15 a.m. EDT (1115 GMT, 7:15 p.m. local time) on Aug. 24.
The rocket used a Yuanzheng 1S upper stage to deliver three payloads into near-polar orbits with average altitudes of around 680 miles (1,100 kilometers) above Earth, according to U.S. space tracking. Read more
