China launches Lijian 1 rocket, sending 9 satellites into orbit

陈小将

China launches a Lijian 1, also known as Kinetica 1 Y11, carrier rocket with 9 satellites, including one from the United Arab Emirates, onboard, Dec 10, 2025. [Photo by Wang Jiangbo/For chinadaily.com.cn]

JIUQUAN -- China on Wednesday launched a Lijian 1, also known as Kinetica 1 Y11, carrier rocket with 9 satellites, including one from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), onboard.

The rocket blasted off at 12:03 pm (Beijing Time) from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China. It successfully sent the satellites into their planned orbits.

The UAE-led satellite, named 813, is designed for observing soil, the climate and the environment.