![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2021/10/15/59c5ad0737ac426ea35a7f5aa1d8137e.jpg)
A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)
China launched its first solar observation satellite at 6:51 p.m. Beijing Time Thursday from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.
The satellite is equipped with China's first solar telescope in space and will observe the deep-red H-Alpha line of the solar spectrum, enabling scientists to study solar flares.
It is called the Chinese H-Alpha Solar Explorer, or CHASE. It also has a Chinese name, Xihe, which is the name of the sun goddess in ancient Chinese mythology.
![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2021/10/15/e4f30bff601440d2bdd5dc53a5f5f926.jpg)
[File photo] A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)
It was the 391st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.
![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2021/10/15/84a3c20a874f4d2f8cecdb024b97b2ed.jpg)
[File photo] A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)
It was the 391st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.
![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2021/10/15/d76338cf22ac48b09a43692af41a1e1f.jpg)
[File photo] A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)
It was the 391st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.
![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2021/10/15/cbaec3217ff243259200af3420569a54.jpg)
[File photo] A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)
It was the 391st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.
![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2021/10/15/c0854563c66548099af27eee94787731.jpg)
[File photo] A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)
It was the 391st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.
![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2021/10/15/b11de28309d04f03b9aa0351d25f79b5.jpg)
[File photo] A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)
It was the 391st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.