China launches new twin BeiDou-3 navigation satellites
29 July 2018
On 29 July, China sent two satellites into space via a single carrier rocket, entering a period with unprecedentedly intensive launches of BeiDou satellites.
The Long March-3B carrier rocket lifted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 9:48 a.m., the 281st mission of the Long March rocket series. The twin satellites are the 33rd and 34th of the BeiDou navigation system. They entered orbit more than three hours after the launch. After a series of tests, they will work together with eight BeiDou-3 satellites already in orbit, said the launch service provider.
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Gaofen-11 high-resolution Earth observation satellite launched
31 July 2018
China on 30 July launched Gaofen-11, an optical remote sensing satellite, as part of the country's high-resolution Earth observation project.
The Gaofen-11 satellite was launched on a Long March 4B rocket at 11 a.m. Beijing Time from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province. It was the 282nd flight mission by a Long March carrier rocket.
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China's newest micro-rocket has fast production cycle
31 July 2018
On 31 July, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) unveiled its micro rocket the Lightning Dragon No.1. The rocket, the first in the Lightning Dragon series, could have a carrying capacity of no less than 150 kilograms and operate on the sun-synchronous orbit, said CASC. The rocket is capable of launching within 24 hours after arriving at the launch site. It can be delivered to the customer six months after the signing of the contract. It is now under development by Chinarocket Co., Ltd. under CASC.
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Sun Yat-Sen University to build simulated gravitational wave observatory
31 July 2018
Sun Yat-sen University in south China's Guangdong Province announced on 30 July that it will build a ground simulation system for space-based gravitational wave observation. The system is expected to provide a complete simulation environment and new research methods for China's research on space-based gravitational wave observation, the university said. It will be built on the university's campus in the metropolis of Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, with an investment of more than 1 billion Yuan (146.6 million U.S. dollars). The ground simulation system is part of the gravitational wave research project "Tianqin" launched by Sun Yat-Sen University in 2015.
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