The ESA and China earlier today succesfully launched the first satellite in the `Double Star` mission from Xichang aboard a Chinese Long March 2 rocket.
The mission is designed to research the effects of the solar wind on the earths magnetic field.
Inceidentally I wonder if NASA are feeling a little out in the cold with the ESA and China cooperating on missions? The Chinese have been using this launch to market the Long March 2 rockets to anyone else who wants a satellite in orbit, this is its 75 launch and the 33rd consecutive success since 1996, it also marks an end to a hostoric year for the Chinese in space with an unprecidednted number of satellites (6) launched and of course the succesful flight of Yang Liwei.
  