A Long March-8 rocket, carrying the relay satellite Queqiao-2 for Earth-Moon communications blasts off at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, March 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] China launched a new relay satellite on Wednesday to provide Earth-Moon communications services, a key step for its future lunar exploration missions such as retrieving samples from the far side of the moon. A Long March-8 rocket, carrying the satellite dubbed Queqiao-2, or magpie bridge-2, soared into the sky at 8:31 a.m. from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province. After 24 minutes of flight, the satellite separated from the rocket, and entered the planned Earth-Moon transfer orbit with the perigee at 200 kilometers and the apogee at 420,000 kilometers. The satellite's solar panels and communications antennae were unfolded, according to the China National Space Administration. |
Beijing court jails ChineseBrittany Mahomes drastically changes her signature blonde locksConor McGregor hails Dana White after the UFC president announced postEllie Leach breaks down in tears over her cheating exDua Lipa flaunts her incredible figure in a thong bodysuit as she shares behindRosie HuntingtonSheffield United face twoSheffield United face twoLauren Sanchez turns heads with figureScary Movie is back! Franchise will be rebooted 11 years after Scary Movie 5 was released