JIUQUAN, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish Earth observation satellite was successfully sent into space from northwest China early on Wednesday morning, marking the completion of this year's space launches.
A statement released by the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert said the Turkish satellite, the GK-2, was launched at 12:13 a.m. and was delivered into its predetermined orbit by a Long March 2D carrier rocket.
(A Long March carrier rocket carrying Turkish earth observation satellite GK-2 blasts off at Jiuquan )
The State Administration of Science,Technology and Industry for National Defence said on Wednesday that this was the first time a Long March 2D carrier rocket had been used for such a launch on behalf of another country, marking a breakthrough for the entire Long March series in international commercial launching of low-earth-orbit satellites.
Also according to the administration, China's aerospace products' successful entry into the West Asia and North Africa markets will help the country expand its international market of commercial satellite launching services.
(News from Xinhuanet)
