CRI听力:China Launches CBERS-4 on 200th Long March Mission

The Long March-4B rocket has successfully put into orbit the satellite, which is jointly developed with Brazil.

The mission is the 200th flight of the Long March rockets.

The Long March series of rockets first went into use in 1970 when a Long March-1 carried China's first satellite, Dongfanghong-1, into space.

The Long March rockets have successfully taken more than 250 satellites and spacecraft into space, including the Shenzhou unmanned and manned spaceships, China's first space lab Tiangong-1, the new lunar orbiter and numerous other satellites.

Lei Fanpei is the head of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

He says the Long March rockets are due to make at least another 100 launches over the next 7-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."

A powerful carrier rocket is essential for successful space programs.

Lei Fanpei says the next-generation rockets, including the larger, Long March-5, and the smaller Long March-7, are due to make maiden flights within the next two years.

"The Long March-5 and 7 will greatly enhance China's capability in space exploration.These two heavy carriers are designed to launch the space station. We have made major breakthroughs in key technology, and we are due to make more experiments."

Media reports say Chinese scientists are also working on a new heavy carrier rocket for a manned moon landing.

For CRI, I am Min Rui.