Posted: Sat, Jan 6, 2024, 6:00 PM ET (2300 GMT)
A Chinese launch of three broadband satellites capped off a record year. A Long March 2C rocket lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 7:13 pm EST Dec. 29 (0013 GMT Dec. 30), placing three satellites into low Earth orbit. The three spacecraft are test satellites, likely for China's national Guowang LEO broadband megaconstellation project. The launch was the last of 2023, which saw more than 220 orbital launch attempts worldwide, eclipsing the record of 186 set in 2022.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  Xinhua article