China launches 8 satellites aboard commercial Lijian-1 rocket

China on Monday launched eight satellites into orbit aboard a Lijian-1 carrier rocket, state media reported.

The rocket lifted off from a commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwestern China and successfully deployed the satellites into their planned orbit, state-run Xinhua News reported.

The mission was the 13th flight of the Lijian-1 rocket series, one of China’s key commercial launch vehicles.

The Lijian-1 was developed by CAS Space, a commercial spaceflight company established by the Institute of Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.