China launches Lijian-1 Y12 rocket to send 8 satellites into space

A Lijian-1 Y12 carrier rocket carrying eight satellites blasts off from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China, April 14, 2026. The rocket blasted off at 12:03 p.m. (Beijing Time) and successfully sent the satellites into their planned orbits. (Photo by Wang Haixia/Xinhua)

JIUQUAN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday launched the Lijian-1 Y12 carrier rocket to send eight satellites into space.

The rocket blasted off at 12:03 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China. It successfully sent the satellites into their planned orbits.

A Lijian-1 Y12 carrier rocket carrying eight satellites blasts off from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China, April 14, 2026. The rocket blasted off at 12:03 p.m. (Beijing Time) and successfully sent the satellites into their planned orbits. (Photo by Wang Haixia/Xinhua)

A Lijian-1 Y12 carrier rocket carrying eight satellites blasts off from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China, April 14, 2026. The rocket blasted off at 12:03 p.m. (Beijing Time) and successfully sent the satellites into their planned orbits. (Photo by Wang Haixia/Xinhua)

A Lijian-1 Y12 carrier rocket carrying eight satellites blasts off from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China, April 14, 2026. The rocket blasted off at 12:03 p.m. (Beijing Time) and successfully sent the satellites into their planned orbits. (Photo by Wang Haixia/Xinhua)