In a remarkable display of China's growing space capabilities, a pair of Chinese rockets successfully launched multiple satellites into orbit. On February 2, a Long March 2C rocket took off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, followed by a Jielong-3 solid rocket launched from a mobile sea platform on February 3.

The Long March 2C rocket carried 11 satellites into orbit for Geely, a Chinese automaker. These satellites are part of the "Geely Future Mobility Constellation," a planned network of 240 satellites aimed at providing autonomous drive, smart connectivity, and other services. The successful launch is a significant step towards establishing global real-time data communication services by 2025.

The second rocket launch, Jielong-3, deployed a total of nine satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit. Notable satellites included the Dongfang Huiang-01, a remote sensing satellite with a resolution of 0.5 meters, and the Nexsat-1 experimental satellite developed for Egypt.

This launch also marked the third deployment of the Jielong-3 rocket, demonstrating the capabilities of China Rocket Co. Ltd., a commercial-oriented spinoff from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The company also mentioned progress on testing an improved version of the Long March 8 rocket, with a new commercial launch pad recently completed near the Wenchang spaceport.

The successful launches highlight China's expanding sea launch capabilities, with the Jielong-3 launch supported by the Haiyang sea launch facilities. This weekend's launch marked China's 10th sea launch overall, providing increased launch flexibility for the nation.

These launches contribute to the growing space collaboration between China and Egypt, with joint satellite construction, satellite launches, and Egypt's involvement in China's International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project. China's space endeavors continue to progress in 2024, with seven successful launches already completed this year.

The accomplishments of the Chinese space program further solidify the nation's status as a major player in the global space industry. As China continues to develop cutting-edge technologies and increase its launch cadence, it looks poised to make significant advancements in the field of space exploration and commercial satellite services.