China launches two satellites via one rocket

China successfully launched two satellites via one rocket at 8:15 am Thursday Beijing Time (0015 GMT) at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern Gobi desert.

One of the satellites is the Chuangxin-1-04, which is designed to collect and transmit data on hydrology, weather, electric power, and disaster relief. The other is a "smart satellite" to conduct multimedia telecommunications experiments.

The two satellites have reached their preset orbits via the Long March-2D vehicle, the launch center said.

The launch marked the 192nd mission for the Long March rocket family.