China launches new relay satellite for Earth
A Long March-8 rocket, carrying the relay satellite Queqiao-2 for Earth-Moon communications blasts off at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, March 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
China launched a new relay satellite on Wednesday to provide Earth-Moon communications services, a key step for its future lunar exploration missions such as retrieving samples from the far side of the moon.
A Long March-8 rocket, carrying the satellite dubbed Queqiao-2, or magpie bridge-2, soared into the sky at 8:31 a.m. from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province.
After 24 minutes of flight, the satellite separated from the rocket, and entered the planned Earth-Moon transfer orbit with the perigee at 200 kilometers and the apogee at 420,000 kilometers. The satellite's solar panels and communications antennae were unfolded, according to the China National Space Administration.
Related articles
Queen Camilla reveals she's seen the first season of Bridgerton
Queen Camilla has revealed she has seen the first season of Netflix hit Bridgerton. The royal, 76, t2024-05-21Man City vs Man United FA Cup final time confirmed
LONDON (AP) — The FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United will kick off at the tr2024-05-21Alec Baldwin furiously smacks anti
Alec Baldwin has been caught on camera smacks the phone of an anti-Israel protester who accosted him2024-05-21Pregnant Draya Michele, 39, and NBA star boyfriend Jalen Green, 22, host cherry
Draya Michele and Jalen Green hosted a baby shower and celebrated the upcoming arrival of their firs2024-05-21Company wins court ruling to continue development of Michigan factory serving EV industry
GREEN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A judge has ordered a Michigan community to stop blocking efforts to br2024-05-21Heartbreaking pictures show 24
A cancer patient from Atlanta, Georgia has fulfilled his dying wish of marrying his fiancée after he2024-05-21
atest comment