On August 2, 2005, China succesfully launched its 21st recoverable science and technology experiment satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The satellite was launched aboard a Long March-2C launch vehicle at 15:30 local time; approximately 9 minutes after launch, the satellite entered its preset orbit, marking the launch’s success.
The satellite will be used for scientific research, land surveying and mapping, and experiments in outer space. The Xi'an Satellite Control Center will monitor the movement of the satellite.
China launched its first return satellite from the Jiuquan base in 1975.
This mission success not only marks the 86th flight of the Long March launch vehicle family, but also the 44th consecutive successful Long March launch since October 1996.
The satellite returned to earth successfully at 7:38 am on August 29, 2005.