China launches two satellites into orbit
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-10-24 09:33
BEIJING - China launched two satellites into space on
Tuesday aboard a Long March-4B carrier rocket, the Xinhua news agency reported,
the latest step in its ambitious space programme.
The Long March-4B carrier rocket blasts off with
two Shijian-6 satellites aboard from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch
Centre, in Taiyuan,northern province of Shanxi October 23, 2006.
[Xinhua] |
Both satellites successfully entered their orbits after an early morning
lift-off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in the northern province of
Shanxi, Xinhua said.
The two Shijian-6 satellites are designed to explore space environments,
radiation and to carry out related experiments.
China launched its first satellite in 1970 aboard a Long March rocket, which
orbited the Earth while blaring the Cultural Revolution anthem, "The East is
Red".
Since then, analysts estimate it has launched 50 satellites, which Sun
Laiyan, the head of China's National Space Administration, has said help with
weather forecasting and developing seeds that breed superior crops.
In 2003, China put a man in space, becoming only the third country to achieve
the feat after the United States and the Soviet Union. It launched a second
manned space flight last year, and plans a space walk by 2008.
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