Posted: Tue, Oct 24, 2006, 8:24 PM ET (0024 GMT)
A Chinese rocket successfully launched Tuesday a pair of satellites designed to perform space science and related research. The Long March 4B rocket launched the two Shijian 6 Group 2 satellites at 7:34 pm EDT Monday (2334 GMT Monday, 7:34 am local time Tuesday), placing them into orbit 11 minutes later. The satellites replace the two Shijian 6 satellites launched in September 2004. The satellites will perform measurements of radiation in the space environment and other related experiments.

Related Links:

•  Xinhua article
•  Reuters article
•  AFP article
•  Itar-Tass article