Explorer 2, the second satellite of Sino-European space probe programme the Double Star Project, was launched Sunday from Taiyuan Satellite Launching Center in north China, CCTV television showed Sunday.Explorer 2 was launched at 3.05pm (0705 GMT) and entered orbit half an hour later.
Explorer 1, the first satellite in the joint programme between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA), had been launched on December 30 last year from Xichang in the southwest.
The two satellites were designed and developed by the CNSA.
They orbit the Earth in a complementary configuration that enables scientists to obtain simultaneous data.
The ESA has ploughed eight million euros (9.6 million dollars) into the Double Star programme.
Explorer 2 is China's 77th satellite launch and the 35th consecutive successful launch since October 1996.
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Nov 02, 2006
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