One Satellite Launched, Ten More To Go

China launched a communications satellite into orbit Saturday, promising ten more satellite launches between now and the end of next year. One month after China's first manned space mission, Saturday's mission shows the most populated country in the world is in space to stay.

In truth, the Zhongxing 20 satellite was the fourth launch since China's first manned mission last month. The next launch, billed as a "geospace exploration device," is scheduled for December.

"The active space program reflects our experience and expertise, especially our confidence in the quality and reliability of Chinese launch vehicles and spacecraft," said Zhang Qingwei, deputy chief commander of the manned space program. He was quoted in the official newspaper China Daily. He says China has come up with a new development program that halves the time between launches.

The Chinese program calls for launching between six and ten launches a year between 2006 and 2010. There's no information on how many of the launches will be military in nature.

"To serve national economic growth, defense and scientific research purposes, the country will send up to nine satellites into space next year alone," he added.

What about manned flight? Zhang says China will spend the next year analyzing data from last month's 14-orbit flight before the next manned mission, scheduled for 2005.

FMI: www.cnsa.gov.cn/main_e.asp