China Launches Science Satellite

By Fraser Cain - November 3, 2003 at 5:16 AM UTC | Space Exploration

A Chinese-built science satellite was launched Monday by a Long March 2-D booster from the Jiuquan launch centre in Northwestern China. The FSW-18 satellite was launched into low Earth orbit at 0720 GMT (2:20 am EST). It will stay in orbit for 18 days and perform a series of scientific experiments and then return to Earth. This is China's third launch in just over two weeks, including their historic launch of astronaut Yang Liwei who orbited the earth 14 times.

Fraser Cain

Fraser Cain is the publisher of Universe Today, founding the website in March 1999. He's also the co-host of Astronomy Cast.