China launches 14 satellites with new solid rocket from mobile sea platform

China launched its new Jielong-3 rocket from a mobile sea platform in the Yellow Sea Friday, successfully sending 14 satellites into orbit. The Jielong-3 (“Smart Dragon-3”) lifted off at 1:35 a.m. Eastern (0635 UTC) Dec. 9, from the Tai Rui modified barge off in the Yellow Sea. The mission carried eight satellites developed by commercial remote sensing firm Changguang Satellite Technology, designated Jilin-1 Gaofen 03D 44-50 remote sensing satellite and the Jilin-1 Pingtai 01A01 satellites. The latter is a new satellite platform adaptable to remote sensing, communications or navigation requirements. More

(Source: SpaceNews - Dec 10)