Research satellite launched by China

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

The satellite was launched at 8.05 Irish time in the northern city of Taiyuan off a Long March carrier 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.

The project is China’s first collaboration with the European Space Agency.

China’s space programme, a key prestige project for the communist government, sent its first satellite into orbit in 1970 and in October launched its first manned space flight.