The two satellites, which form Group-02 of Shijian (practice)-6 satellites, were manufactured by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) and DFH (Dongfanghong, or The East is Red) Satellite Co., Ltd. respectively. Both have a designed life of more than two years.

They will mainly replace the two Shijian-6 satellites launched on Sept. 9, 2004, to conduct exploration of space environment, radiation in space and their influence, parameters of physical environment of the space, and carry out other related space experiments.

The carrier rocket used in Tuesday's launch was developed and manufactured by the SAST. The launch marked the 92nd flight of Long March series of carrier rockets and the 50th consecutive successful launch of such rockets since October 1996.

In 1981 China became the fourth country in the world to be able to launch more than one satellite at the same time with just one rocket. China has succeeded in such launching for many times since then.

Earlier report:

China successfully fired off two experimental satellites Tuesday aboard the same Long March-4B carrier rocket from a launch center in the country's north, state press reported.

The two satellites, launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province, will conduct space-related experiments including exploring space environment and measuring radiation in space, Xinhua news agency said.

The two satellites, both with a designed life of more than two years, were manufactured respectively by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology and DFH Satellite, it said.

The launch marked the 92nd flight of Long March series of carrier rockets and the 50th consecutive successful launch of the rocket series since 1996, when China had its most recent Long March rocket launch failure, Xinhua said.

In 1981 China became the fourth country in the world capable of launching more than one satellite aboard a single carrier rocket, it added.

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