China launches research satellite into orbit
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-04-27 10:25
China sent a science research satellite into orbit on Thursday, state media
reported, marking the country's first space mission this year.
The 2,700 kg Yaogan 1 satellite was launched by the "Long March 4B" rocket
and successfully entered its flight plan, Xinhua news agency said.
It will be used for land resources surveying, crop yield estimates and
disaster forecasts.
China regularly launches research satellites and has space exploration plans.
In 2003 it became the third nation to successfully send a man into space and it
followed that with a second second manned space flight last October.
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