China launches low-orbit internet satellites(1/5)

A Long March 5B carrier rocket with a Yuanzheng-2 (Expedition-2) upper stage atop the rocket blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 16, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Luo Yunfei)

The first group of low Earth orbit satellites for a satellite internet constellation was launched by the Long March-5B carrier rocket on Monday

It was the 552nd mission of the Long March series carrier rockets.

A Long March 5B carrier rocket with a Yuanzheng-2 (Expedition-2) upper stage atop the rocket blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 16, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Luo Yunfei)

A Long March 5B carrier rocket with a Yuanzheng-2 (Expedition-2) upper stage atop the rocket blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 16, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Luo Yunfei)

A Long March 5B carrier rocket with a Yuanzheng-2 (Expedition-2) upper stage atop the rocket blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 16, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Luo Yunfei)

A Long March 5B carrier rocket with a Yuanzheng-2 (Expedition-2) upper stage atop the rocket blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 16, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Luo Yunfei)