Chinese Rocket Launches Satellite Pair Into Orbit

Chinese Long March 3A Rocket Orbits New Satellite — China has developed a family of boosters over the years, including new development of a heavy-lift launcher to fly by 2011. Image (Image credit: China National Space Administration)

An experimental technology demonstration satellite and a spacecraft to collect and relay data for disaster relief ascended into orbit on a Long March 2D rocket this weekend.

The payloads lifted off at 0015 GMT Sunday (7:15 p.m. EST Saturday) from the Jiuquan launching base in northwestern China. A 134-foot-tall Long March 2D booster soared into the dawn sky from Jiuquan, where it was 8:15 a.m. Sunday local time.

Managed by the China Academy of Sciences, Chuangxin 1-03 is a small satellite designed to gather and transmit data for disaster relief and economic development applications. The craft's mission includes collecting hydrological, meteorological and electric power data, Xinhua reported.

The launch was the 68th space mission worldwide to reach orbit so far this year. China's record this year now stands at 14 successful launches in 15 attempts.

China's Shenzhou 8 capsulereturned to Earth on Thursday following a successful docking demonstration mission with the Tiangong 1 space laboratory module. Having tested new rendezvous and docking technology, China plans at least one manned flight next year.

Stephen Clark is the Editor of Spaceflight Now, a web-based publication dedicated to covering rocket launches, human spaceflight and exploration. He joined the Spaceflight Now team in 2009 and previously wrote as a senior reporter with the Daily Texan. You can follow Stephen's latest project at SpaceflightNow.com and on Twitter.