China to launch 40 spacecraft this year

BEIJING: China will launch more than 40 spacecraft, majority of them communication satellites, into orbit this year.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said that it plans to send 40 spacecraft into orbit through 20 separate space launches this year.

In 2013, Chinese space authorities conducted 16 separate launches.

Most of the spacecraft to be put into orbit this year will be satellites, said Zhao Xiaojin, director of the Space Department with the China Aerospace and Science Technology Corporation.

"They will be mainly communication satellites, or geosynchronous satellites orbiting at the height of 36-thousand miles. There will also be some remote sensing satellites sent up to observe the earth, as well as navigation satellites for the Beidou system," state-run China Radio International (CRI) quoted him as saying.