Posted: Fri, Jun 18, 2021, 5:30 PM ET (2130 GMT)

China launched another group of classified satellites Friday. The Long March 2C rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China at 2:30 am EDT (0630 GMT). It placed into orbit a ninth group of Yaogan-30 satellites. The inclination of the Yaogan-30 constellation suggests it may provide frequent revisits for electronic and signals intelligence, and optical and radar imaging, in areas close to China.