Commercial pad deploys 18 satellites

China launched a Long March 8 carrier rocket early Wednesday morning at the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center in Wenchang, a coastal city in Hainan province, sending 18 internet satellites into space.

According to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the nation's leading space conglomerate, the rocket blasted off at 12:38 am from the commercial spaceport's No 1 launchpad, marking the first launch activity at the pad, which is specifically tasked with servicing rockets in the Long March 8 series.

After a short flight, the rocket deployed 18 plate-shaped Spacesail satellites into their preset orbit, said the State-owned company, which is the contractor for the launch mission.