China sent its 22nd return experimental satellite onto the orbit with a Long March-2IV rocket carrier from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in northwest China's Gansu Province, Monday. 

The satellite has entered the preset orbit and is now operating normally, according to the Xi'an Satellite Measuring and Control Center, in northwest China.

The satellite will carry out a series of jobs on scientific research, land surveying, mapping and space-technological tests.

It is the country's 87th launching of satellite over the past 35 years and the 45th successful launching since October 1996.

It is also the seventh flight of the Long March-2IV family. Long March-2IV, a two-section, normal temperature rocket, is 40.6 meters in length and 251 kilograms in flying-off.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2005)