China launches science satellite
Posted: Tue, Sep 28, 2004, 8:32 AM ET (1232 GMT)
China launched what it described as a recoverable science satellite Monday morening, just two days after a similar satellite returned to Earth. A Long March 2D lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 4 am EDT (0800 GMT, 4 pm Beijing time) and released the satellite into orbit 10 minutes later. The unnamed satellite, 20th in a series of recoverable satellites, will apparently be used for imaging work, including geological surveying and mapping. The spacecraft is described as having a "better performance" than previous models, but Chinese reports did not elaborate. The spacecraft is expected to remain in orbit several days before returning to Earth. The launch took place two days after another Chinese recoverable satellite landed on Earth. That satellite had spent 27 days in orbit.
China launched what it described as a recoverable science satellite Monday morening, just two days after a similar satellite returned to Earth. A Long March 2D lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 4 am EDT (0800 GMT, 4 pm Beijing time) and released the satellite into orbit 10 minutes later. The unnamed satellite, 20th in a series of recoverable satellites, will apparently be used for imaging work, including geological surveying and mapping. The spacecraft is described as having a "better performance" than previous models, but Chinese reports did not elaborate. The spacecraft is expected to remain in orbit several days before returning to Earth. The launch took place two days after another Chinese recoverable satellite landed on Earth. That satellite had spent 27 days in orbit.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, February 12
Philip Plait on the Wonders of the Universe
The Browser — 7:00 pm ET (0000 GMT) Young girl's curiosity of science leads to becoming first African-American woman in space
US Air Force — 6:58 pm ET (2358 GMT) Cleveland-built testing equipment ready for space
AP — 6:57 pm ET (2357 GMT) Out of this world! Video shows spectacular view of moon and Northern Lights from space
The Daily Mail — 6:56 pm ET (2356 GMT) Final ‘go’ for Vega launch
ESA — 10:27 am ET (1527 GMT) |