China's Long March 12 rocket completes maiden flight, marks commercial space milestone

ISTANBUL

China's Long March 12 rocket completed its maiden flight late Saturday, marking a milestone for the nation's space program and its commercial space ambitions, according to media reports.

China Daily reported that the launch from the newly inaugurated Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center also marked the debut of the facility, designed to support commercial space missions.

The rocket's four engines ignited at 10.25 p.m. (1425GMT), sending it into the night sky, where it successfully deployed two satellites into orbit.

With a diameter of 12.4 feet (3.8 meters) and a height of 205.3 feet (62.6 meters), the rocket is set to enhance China's capabilities in deploying satellites to sun-synchronous orbits and low-Earth orbit, strengthening its commercial space sector.