China launches “laser diamond constellation test” satellites

China launched a set of satellites likely intended to test inter-satellite laser links early Thursday as the country moves ahead with major constellation projects. A Long March 2D rocket topped with a Yuanzheng-3 restartable upper stage lifted off at 2:17 a.m. Eastern (0717 UTC) Dec. 12 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The rocket shed Insulation tiles as the rocket climbed into blue skies above the spaceport, propelled by a hypergolic propellant mix. More

(Source: SpaceNews - Dec 15)