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
Eleanor Tomlinson puts on a leggy display in sparkly black minidress as she joins co
Eleanor Tomlinson, Stephen Merchant and Jessica Gunning reunited on Monday at a special screening of2024-05-22- Want a tasty meal one-pan meal that's hassle free? Look no further than these beauties.From a super-2024-05-22
Here's everything that could go wrong with your jam, Meghan…and my tips to make sure it doesn't
Gosh, Meghan, you and I have so much in common! We even use the same hexagonal jam jars for our — wh2024-05-22Former Mormon reveals the wild list of rules she was forced to follow while living within ultra
A former Mormon has revealed the bizarre list of rules she had to follow when she was a member of th2024-05-22Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (AP) — Ricky Stenhouse Jr. threw a right hook at Kyle Busch, and suddenly, an2024-05-22Gujarat crashes to 89 all out against Delhi, loses IPL game by 6 wickets at home
AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — Gujarat Titans crashed to their lowest-ever score of 89 as Delhi Capitals no2024-05-22
atest comment