China launches new mapping satellite

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China launches new mapping satellite

A mapping satellite, "Tian Hui - I(TH-1)" is launched from the northwestern Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, at 3:10 p.m. (Beijing time) on Aug. 24, 2010. The satellite, which was launched on a Long March 2-D carrier rocket, had entered into the preset orbit, according to the center. (Xinhua)

JIUQUAN, Gansu, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched a mapping satellite, "Mapping Satellite - I(TH-1)" from the northwestern Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 3:10 p.m. (Beijing time) Tuesday.

The satellite, which was launched on a Long March 2-D carrier rocket, had entered into the preset orbit, according to the center.

The satellite, developed by a company under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), would be mainly used to conduct scientific experiments, carry out surveys on land resources, and mapping, said a statement on the Ministry of National Defense website.

The remote sensing information and test results from the satellite would promote the country's scientific research and economic development, said the statement.

The launch was the 128th for China's Long March series of rockets since April 24, 1970, when a Long March-1 rocket successfully sent the country's first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into the space.

 

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Also upcoming will be the launch of the second Tian Lian satellite for tracking and communications with manned orbital vehicles; the launch of Xinnuo-6 (SinoSat-6) communications satellite; the launch of FY-3B ;