China launches its largest carrier rocket
(VOVWORLD) - China launched the largest carrier rocket of the country for the third time, from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province on Friday evening.
The rocket, coded as Long March-5 Y3, carried the Shijian-20 technological experiment satellite weighing over eight tons, the heaviest and most advanced communications satellite of China. About nearly 40 minutes, the satellite was sent into its planned orbit.
The Long March-5 made its maiden flight on November 3, 2016 from Wenchang. China is on a space race with the US and pushing itself to become a space power in 2030. The country is planning to build its own space station next year.