China launches two satellites into orbit via one rocket

Video: China sends two satellites into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre

China sends two satellites into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. (ITN)

China launched two new satellites into orbit in the early hours of this morning as part of the country's Long March 2D series.

The two satellites - the Chuangxin 1-04 and the experimental Ling Qiao satellites into orbit - were launched through one rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China's Gansu Province. They were launched at 8.15 a.m. local time.

The Chuangxin-1-04, is set to collect and transmit data on hydrology, meteorology, electric power and disaster relief. The other, the Ling Qiao, is a smart satellite for experiments in multimedia satellite communications.

The satellites were developed by China's Academy of Sciences and Tsinghua University.

It was also the the 192^nd Chinese successful orbital launch.

In April 2013, China launched its first satellite with high-resolution imaging capabilities called the Gaofen-1. At the end of August the Gaofen-2 was also launched with similar capabilities.

Gaofen-1 has already shown its importance for Chinese authorities after they revealed that the high-resolution images captured by the satellite had helped police to locate opium poppy and marijuana fields in the country as well as exposing several routes used by smugglers along the border with North Korea.