A Long March-2IV rocket is launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province August 29, 2005.

China sent its 22nd return experimental satellite onto the orbit with a Long March-2IV rocket carrier from the Jiuquan Satellite Launching Center, in the northwest, Monday.

The satellite has entered the preset orbit and is now operating normally, according to the Xi'an Satellite Measuring and Control Center, in northwest China.

The satellite will carry out a series of jobs on scientific research, land surveying, mapping and space-technological tests.

It is the country's 87th launching of satellite over the past 35 years and the 45th successful launching since October 1996.

It is also the seventh flight of the Long March-2IV family. Long March-2IV, a two-section, normal temperature rocket, is 40.6 meters in length and 251 kilograms in flying-off.

Satellite returns home

A science satellite China launched early this month returned home Monday, according to official sources.

The 21st Chinese-made experimental satellite landed under the precise control of the Xi'an Satellite Measuring and Control Center, the sources said.

During its 27-day voyage on the orbit, the satellite completed all its tasks including space surveying and scientific tests.

So far, China has recovered 20 of these return experimental satellites.

Source: Xinhua