China successfully launched its 20th recoverable satellite for scientific and technological experiments from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in northwestern China's deserts, at 16:00 Monday.

According to the Xi'an Satellite Measuring and Control Center, the Long March2-D carrier rocket has entered into the preset orbit about 10 minutes after it was launched.

The new satellite which boasts a better performance in general than the previous ones will mainly be used for scientific researches, geological surveying and mapping. It is expected to return in a few days after accomplishing its mission.

This launch is the 80th for the Long March family, as well as China's 38th successful space launch since 1996.

China's first return satellite was projected at the Jiuquan center on November 26, 1975, and it made a successful landing three days after launching.

The Long March carriers are designed by the Shanghai Space Institute under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Group.

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2004)