China failed to launch an experimental exploration satellite into orbit, after the rocket hit the incident, AFP said its media reported today, Aug. 19.
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ShiJian 11-04 satellite, launched by Long March missile II-C on August 18, but it failed to fulfill its mission due to a missile incident, according to Xinhua.
A Chinese Long March missile launch - Photo: Reuters
The Chinese news agency only said it was a "test" probe satellite without revealing any further details.
According to NASASpaceFlight.com, the 11-04 ShiJian satellite was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Gansu Province, China, at 9: 28 minutes on August 18 (local time).
This is the first time that the Long March II-C missile has failed after 35 successful launches and, for the second time, the mission of launching Chinese satellite failed since February 1996.
According to Xinhua , Chinese authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.
