China launched a Long March-8A carrier rocket on Friday in south China’s Hainan, sending the 17th group of internet satellites into space and marking the 10th launch from the site since it became operational at the end of last year.
The rocket lifted off at 7:26 from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. It successfully placed the payloads -- the 17th group of low-orbit internet satellites -- into their preset orbit.
According to the plan, two additional launch pads will be added next year. Once four launch positions are in place, the site will be capable of supporting more than 60 launches a year.
Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site completes 10th launch
Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site completes 10th launch
A China Media Group (CMG) reporter helped evacuate Chinese nationals stranded at Dubai International Airport before it was damaged in an ''incident" early on Sunday morning.
The reporter, who went to the airport by car to investigate flight delays, met several stranded Chinese nationals at the airport who had been unable to leave on their scheduled flights as the Middle East conflict forced airlines to stall operations.
The Chinese passengers said after they arrived a little before 19:00, the check-in counter was closed, raising their concern that the airport might be taken over by the military.
"I was thinking of finding some chairs for the kids to sleep on before going back to ask what was going on. At first, the airport staff offered to help, but then some people who looked like soldiers came and told us to leave," said a Chinese passenger.
Footage from the reporter showed that the area outside the airport was almost deserted, with very few vehicles. Public transportation had been suspended early, and only police cars were parked on both sides of the road, with emergency staff signaling all civilian vehicles to leave immediately.
Dubai Airports confirmed that a concourse at Dubai International Airport later sustained minor damage in what it referred to as an “incident”. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and were managing the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities. Aviation sources told Reuters news agency that one of the terminals had been damaged during an overnight Iranian attack.
The Dubai Media Office said that four staff members sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention.
CMG reporter helps evacuate Chinese nationals from Dubai airport
