China launches 9 satellites from sea into orbit

ANKARA

China on Saturday launched a Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3) carrier rocket from the sea, sending nine satellites into planned orbit, state-run media reported.

The rocket blasted off from waters off the coast of Yangjiang, a city in southern China's Guangdong Province, Xinhua News reported.

It was the third flight mission to use an SD-3 rocket, according to report.

On Jan. 23, China launched the Lijian-1 Y3 carrier rocket with five satellites onboard.

Twelve days earlier, it launched four satellites, including three aboard the world's first rocket powered entirely by solid propellants.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid