China launches new Tianlian relay satellite

A Long March-3B carrier rocket carrying the Tianlian II-02 satellite blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 14, 2021. China sent a new data relay satellite into orbit early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Zheng Zhongli/Xinhua)

XICHANG, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- China sent a new data relay satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province early Tuesday morning.

The Tianlian II-02 satellite was launched at 0:09 a.m. Beijing Time by a Long March-3B carrier rocket.

It was the 401st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series. 

A Long March-3B carrier rocket carrying the Tianlian II-02 satellite blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 14, 2021. China sent a new data relay satellite into orbit early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Zheng Zhongli/Xinhua)

A Long March-3B carrier rocket carrying the Tianlian II-02 satellite blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 14, 2021. China sent a new data relay satellite into orbit early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Zheng Zhongli/Xinhua)