A small satellite independently designed and built by CAS was sent into its preset orbit on Oct. 21. Named Chuangxin-1 (or Innovation-1), it is China's first experimental small satellite for data communications in Low Earth Orbit. Two satellites, Chuangxin-1 and the second Earth Resources Satellite developed jointly by China and Brazil, were launched successfully by a Long March IV B carrier rocket, with rocket engine's steady roar like that of a thunderstorm at 11:16 a.m. (Beijing Time) at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province, north China. With a mass less than 100 kg, the Chuangxin- 1 was developed in light of development trend of science and technology, says Prof. Jiang Mianheng, CAS vice president.
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