Under the auspices of China Great Wall Industry Corp (CGWIC), the commercial launch provider and turnkey services arm of China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC), a commercial flight of the Long March 2C (3) (CZ-2C (3)) rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite launch center at 0400 GMT on 2 June. Aboard the launch were nine GeeSAT-5 satellites, GeeSAT-5 1 to 9, designed and developed by Geespace which is a subsidiary of automobile manufacturer Geely. The launch was made as part of a multi-launch agreement between Geespace and CGWIC made in September 2021.
The GeeSAT satellites are communications satellites which will be part of a 240 satellite constellation designed to interact with automobile systems helping road traffic management and, eventually, autonomous driving. They were placed in a 617 x 600 km orbit with a 50 degree inclination.
Long March 2C launches nine GeeSAT-5 satellites. Courtesy: CGWIC
