Chinese officials announced they will launch 15 rockets and 17 satellites, as well as the country's third manned orbital mission in the coming year, state news agency Xinhua reported today.
The manned Shenzhou 7 mission, which is to feature the country's first live-broadcast spacewalk, will be the main focus of country's space program this year. Officials have previously said it will come shortly after the China-hosted Olympics, in October of this year.
Officials also said meteorological services for the Olympics would be provided by a new satellite launched this year. As yet, no other details on the rockets or satellites have been released.
Here's fingers crossed that the year can focus on peaceful missions, and not saber-rattling ones like the satellite-smashing military test at this time last year.
China to launch 15 rockets this year [Xinhua]
(Image: A Chinese rocket in assembly. Credit: China National Space Administration)
