At 00:25 Beijing time on January 20,China launched the Tiantong 1-03 satellite onboard a LM-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.The satellite entered its preset orbit,marking the success of China’s first launch mission in 2021.

The Tiantong 1 satellites were developed by the China Academy of Space Technology,of which the Tiantong 1-01 and 1-02 satellites were launched by LM-3B in 2016 and 2020 respectively.The Tiantong 1-03 satellite will be networked with the previous two satellites,realizing China’s autonomous and controllable satellite mobile communications system that can cover the Asia-Pacific region.

The LM-3B carrier rocket was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

This was the 358th launch of the LM series launch vehicle and the 117th launch of the LM-3 family.

CASC plans to conduct more than 40 launch missions in 2021.(ZHENG Enhong/China Space News)