China on Wednesday used a Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3) carrier rocket to launch a test satellite into planned orbit, where it will test satellite internet technologies.

The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center launched the rocket from waters off the coast of Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, at 3:24 a.m. (Beijing Time).

The launch is the second mission of the SD-3 carrier rocket series.

The SD-3 carrier rocket was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

It is a solid-propellent rocket that aims to serve the rapid launch of satellite constellations as it can complete the technical preparation and launch within a week, according to the developer.

On Dec. 9, 2022, the SD-3 rocket made its maiden flight from the Yellow Sea, sending 14 commercial satellites into orbit.

According to its developer, the SD-3 rocket has not only provided more capacity options for commercial launches but also advanced the country's development of this type of rocket to a new level.

The rocket has multiple advantages, such as strong carrying capacity, diversified launching modes, and high launching efficiency, among others. It can send a payload of 1.5 tonnes to sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 km.

Wednesday's launch is a long-distance mobile launch mission at sea. After departing from the sea-launch service port, the launch ship of the SD-3 carrier rocket traveled more than 1,300 nautical miles in five and a half days to the sea launch site for this mission.

According to Jin Xin, chief director of the SD-3 project, this mission presented high requirements for the reliability of the rocket as it is a launch at sea using a mobile launch platform amid complex maritime conditions.

An insulation shed has been installed on the ship to ensure the temperature and humidity environments of the rocket during marine transport.

The developer verified the launch capability of the SD-3 rocket at sea, and also improved the mission adaptability of the rocket during this mission, according to Jin.

The first phase of the final assembly and test base for the SD-3 and other solid-propellent carrier rockets has been built in Haiyang in east China's Shandong Province. The base now has an annual production capacity of 10 rockets.

By the end of 2023, the second phase of the base will be completed, which will allow it to have an annual production capacity of 20 solid-propellent rockets, according to the developer.

In accordance with the plan, the SD-3 carrier rocket will carry out more than five missions in 2024, the developer said. 

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