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China launches telecommunication technology test satellite
China plans to conduct a `record` number of 30 space launch missions this year as part of its efforts to expand its ambitious space programme.
Beijing: China has successfully launched a telecommunication technology test satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
The satellite was launched late last night by a Long March-3B carrier rocket, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
China plans to conduct a "record" number of 30 space launch missions this year as part of its efforts to expand its ambitious space programme.
The record-breaking number space launches will be launched by?Long March-5 and Long March-7 rockets,?China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said earlier.
Long March-5 is China's largest carrier rocket.
The successful test launch of the vehicle in November in South China's Hainan Province will pave the way for space station construction, state-run China News Service had said.
China recently released an official white paper on space stating that ?it will launch a lunar probe in 2018 to achieve world?s first soft landing on the far side of the moon and a mission to Mars in 2018.