Also read New Chinese satellite enters assembly stage
The Tiantong 1-03 satellite was launched at 00:25 a.m. (Beijing Time) by a Long March-3B carrier rocket and entered the planned orbit successfully.
Also read China sends 13 satellites into orbit with single rocket
Tiantong-1 is a satellite mobile communication system independently developed and built by China. It consists of a space segment, ground segment, and user terminal.
Also read China launches new remote-sensing satellite
Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, the Tiantong 1-03 satellite will establish a mobile network with ground facilities to provide all-weather, all-time, stable and reliable mobile communication services such as voice, short message and data for users in China and its surrounding areas, the Middle East, Africa and other related regions, as well as most sea areas in the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.
Also read:China sends nine satellites into orbit by sea launch
Wednesday's launch was the 358th by the Long March rocket series and also the country's first space launch in 2021.