Satellite launch in China

CHINA launched a second research satellite into orbit yesterday as part of a joint project with the European Space Agency to study the Earth’s magnetic field.

The satellite was launched in the northern city of Taiyuan off a Long March rocket.

It joins another satellite which China launched in December, also in collaboration with the European agency.

Both are part of the Double Star project, which will study the Earth’s magnetic field, ionosphere and upper atmosphere.