China's CBERS-4 satellite, carried by the Long March-4B rocket, was successfully launched into space from the Taiyuan launch pad on Dec. 7.
The CBERS-4 satellite was co-developed by China and Brazil and was carried into space by the Long March-4B rocket. The launch is considered to be the Long March rocket family's 200th since 1970, when the Dongfanghong-1 satellite, China's first, was carried by the Long March-1 rocket into space.
China's Long March rocket family has already carried more than 250 Chinese satellites and spacecraft into outer space, including both manned and unmanned Shenzhou spaceships, China's first space laboratory Tiangong-1, other space satellites and the Xiaofei lunar orbiter which recently landed back on the country on Nov. 1.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation head Lei Fanpei said that the Long March rocket family is expected to launch 100 times more within the coming seven years.
"We hope to complete multiple dockings and put a space station in full operation in the future. By 2022, China's first orbiting space station should be complete. It will consist of three parts--a core module attached to two labs," said Lei.
China is also developing more powerful rockets to ensure the success of its space programs. According to Lei, the country's next-gen rockets, including the Long March-5 and Long March-7, are expected to make their first launch in the next two years.
Lei said that the new rockets are designed to launch China's first space station.
According to media reports, scientists in China are currently developing a new heavy rocket for a manned landing on the moon.