Shuttle helps launch of sensing satellites

JIUQUAN, Gansu - Two remote-sensing satellites were successfully sent into space on Tuesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China.

The satellites, members of the Yaogan-32 family, were launched by a Long March-2C rocket with an attached upper stage at 10:43 am.

It was the first flight of the Yuanzheng-1S upper stage, known as the Expedition-1S in English. The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology said it operated well with the Long March-2C rocket and significantly improved its carrying capacity.