China successfully placed six Shiyan-27 satellites into sun-synchronous orbit early Saturday morning, further advancing its growing space program, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirmed.
According to a statement, the launch took place at 6:51 a.m. Beijing time on April 18 (10:51 p.m. GMT on April 17). The satellites were carried into orbit aboard a CZ-6A (Chang Zheng-6A or Long March-6A) rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in northern China’s Shanxi Province.
This mission marked the 570th flight in the Long March carrier rocket family, underscoring the reliability and frequency of China's launch capabilities.
The Shiyan-27 satellites are expected to be used primarily for studying the space environment and conducting a range of technological experiments, the CASC said. Though details about the specific nature of the experiments remain limited, the Shiyan series of satellites is typically used for testing new technologies and collecting scientific data in orbit.
The launch is part of China’s increasingly ambitious national space strategy. With strong government backing, the country is accelerating the development of its meteorological, telecommunications, and navigation satellites, while also pressing forward with major lunar, asteroid, and Mars exploration missions.
China’s space station, Tiangong, remains fully operational in orbit and serves as a platform for both national projects and potential international collaboration.
According to the CASC, China is planning a total of 68 space launches in 2024, reinforcing its position as a leading player in the new era of space competition.
By Tamilla Hasanova
Source: caliber.az
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