Abstract: At 00:25 Beijing time on January 20, China launched the Tiantong 1-03 satellite onboard a LM-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite entered its preset orbit, marking the success of China’s first launch mission in 2021. 
The Tiantong 1 satellites were developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, of which the Tiantong 1-01 and 1-02 satellites were launched by LM3B in 2016 and 2020 respectively. The Tiantong 1-03 satellite will be networked with the previous two satellites, realizing China’s autonomous and controllable satellite mobile communications system that can cover the Asia-Pacific region.
The LM-3B carrier rocket was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.
This was the 358th launch of the LM series launch vehicle and the 117th launch of the LM-3 family.
CASC plans to conduct more than 40 launch missions in 2021.