China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the country's primary space contractor, announced the successful launch of three experimental satellites on Saturday morning. These satellites, part of the Space-based Internet Technology Demonstrator series, were developed by the China Academy of Space Technology in Beijing.

The Long March 2C carrier rocket, measuring 43 meters in length and 3.35 meters in width, transported the satellites into their designated orbit. The launch took place at 8:13 am from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert of northwestern China.

This mission marks the fourth deployment of satellites in the Space-based Internet Technology Demonstrator series, following previous launches in July, November, and December. The Long March 2C rocket, a product of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology in Beijing, is primarily used for deploying satellites into low-Earth and Sun-synchronous orbits.

Both academies involved in this mission are subsidiaries of the State-owned conglomerate China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.

Insiders in the space industry note that this successful launch signifies the completion of China's annual space launch plan for 2023. With a total of 67 rocket launches this year, 47 of them were conducted by the Long March rocket family, the country's primary launch vehicle fleet.

Notably, 2023 saw a significant increase in the use of rockets built by private Chinese companies, with a total of 12 such rockets deployed to send satellites into space. This trend underscores the growing influence and participation of private entities in China's evolving space sector.