Very little is known about the four XJS satellites launched on this mission. According to China state media, the satellites will test new Earth observation technology.

Two satellites were built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. The other two were built by the Harbin Institute of Technology and the DFH Satellite Co. Ltd.

Part of the overall Chang Zheng 2 rocket family, the 2D variant is a two-stage to orbit vehicle used to launch satellites into either Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

It launched for the first time in 1992 and has flown more than 40 times.

It has only suffered one partial failure in its career.

Stats
Height: 41 m / 134.7 ft
Diameter: 3.35 m / 11 ft
Launch mass: 232,250 kg / 512,020 lbPayload to LEO: 3,500 kg / 7,700 lb
Payload to SSO: 1,300 kg / 2,900 lb

Stage 1
Length: 27.9 m / 91.5 ft
Engines: 4 x YF-21C
Thrust: 2,961 kN / 665,800 lbf
Fuel: Nitrogen Tetroxide / Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine

Stage 2
Length: 10.9 m / 35.7 ft
Engines: 1 x YF-24C
Thrust: 742.04 kN / 166,820 lbf (main); 47.1 kn / 10,600 lbf (verniers)
Fuel: Nitrogen Tetroxide / Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine

Launch Complex 3

LC-3 is one of two launch areas at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

The pad was completely rebuilt and upgraded between 2005 to 2006 for China's lunar exploration program.

It can currently launch the Chang Zheng 2, 2C, 3 and 3B rockets.

Xichang Satellite Launch Center

The center was built in the early 1980s and takes its name from the closest major city, Xichang, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.

The space center is used to launch international scientific, civilian, and military satellites.

Xichang is not without controversy. In 1996, it was the site of a deadly launch accident when a rocket flew off course and crashed into an un-evacuated village 1.2 km away.

In 2007, it was used to launch an anti-satellite missile test which destroyed a satellite in low Earth orbit. The test created thousands of pieces of debris that were very hard to track and was criticized for the danger it potentially placed the crew of the International Space Station in.