China launches Kinetica-1 rocket, places five satellites into orbit PHOTO

China successfully launched a Kinetica-1 carrier rocket on Friday (July 24), placing five satellites into their preset orbits in the latest mission by commercial launch provider CAS Space, China Daily reports.

The Kinetica-1 lifted off at 7:33 a.m. local time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China, the Beijing-based company said in a statement.

The mission carried five satellites for separate customers under a rideshare arrangement, highlighting China's expanding commercial space launch capabilities.

CAS Space said all five satellites were successfully deployed into their planned orbital positions.

The launch was the 15th flight of the Kinetica-1 rocket and marked China's 53rd orbital launch of 2026, according to the company.