China Launches Satellite for Classified Mission in First Launch of 2022

A Long March 7Y4 rocket carrying the Tianzhou 3 cargo ship launches from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in China's southern Hainan province, on a mission to deliver supplies to China's Tiangong space station on Sept. 20, 2021. STR/AFP via Getty Images

China conducted its first space launch of 2022 on Jan. 17, successfully sending a satellite into orbit on a classified mission.

Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua first reported the launch, which it said took place at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, about 260 miles southeast of Beijing in the province of Shanxi.