This Day, That Year

Item from Sept 26, 1981, in China Daily: A Chinese rocket carrying three satellites rises off the launchpad on Sunday. Since the country's first successful launch on April 24, 1970, China has put 11 satellites into orbit.

Since the first time China launched three satellites with a single rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province on Sept 20, 1981, the country has expanded its presence in the international satellite launch market.

As of May, 55 satellites were launched by the China Great Wall Industry, the country's sole provider of commercial satellite launch services, for more than 20 countries and regions. China aims to increase its market share to 15 percent by 2020.