Xingyun-2 01 & 02 are launched by a Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) carrier rocket at 9:16 am from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China, on May 12, 2020. (WANG JIANGBO / CHINANEWS.COM)

JIUQUAN - China on Tuesday sent two satellites into orbit to test the space-based Internet of Things (IoT) communications technology.

The satellites will conduct tests on technologies including space-based IoT communications, inter-satellite laser communications and a low-cost commercial satellite platform

The satellites, Xingyun-2 01 and 02, were launched by a Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) carrier rocket at 9:16 a.m. (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. They have successfully entered their planned orbit.

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Developed by the Xingyun Satellite Co., the satellites will conduct tests on technologies including space-based IoT communications, inter-satellite laser communications and a low-cost commercial satellite platform.

They will also carry out initial pilot IoT applications, according to the company.

KZ-1A is a low-cost solid-fuel carrier rocket featuring high orbit precision and a short preparation period. The rocket, developed by a company affiliated with Sanjiang Group under the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), is mainly used to launch low-orbit small satellites.

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Tuesday's launch was the ninth mission of the KZ-1A carrier rocket.