A Kinetica 2 rocket lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China on Tuesday morning. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

CAS Space, a major Chinese commercial space company, conducted the second flight of its Kinetica 2 rocket on Tuesday morning, sending 18 satellites into orbit.

The 53-meter-tall rocket lifted off at 8:15 am from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China. After a brief flight, it reached outer space and deployed the 18 satellites, which make up the 21st group of space-based components of the Spacesail Constellation, into their designated orbits, according to the Beijing-headquartered company.