BEIJING: China successfully launched the Einstein Probe satellite on Tuesday, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The launch, which took place at 3:03 pm Beijing time on January 9, 2024, saw the satellite being propelled into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwestern Sichuan province.
The Einstein Probe, launched using the Long March-2C carrier rocket, speedily entered its designated orbit, marking another milestone for China’s rapidly advancing space program. The satellite’s primary mission is to observe mysterious transient phenomena in the universe, comparable to the flickering of fireworks, as reported by the state-run news agency Xinhua.
The satellite, led by scientist Yuan Weimin, aims to unveil the violent and lesser-known aspects of the cosmos, contributing valuable insights into the mysteries of the universe. Yuan Weimin expressed his enthusiasm, describing the Einstein Probe as the “most beautiful satellite I’ve ever seen.”
China’s Ambitious Space Program
China’s ambitious space program, often referred to as its “space dream,” has seen intensified efforts under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. The country has invested billions of dollars into its military-run space initiatives, with a goal to compete with global space leaders like the United States and Russia.
China’s commitment to space exploration was further emphasized in October when a new team was sent to the Tiangong space station, as part of its crewed mission. The overarching space program envisions sending humans to the Moon by 2030.
A report by the US Department of Defense to Congress last year highlighted China’s impressive strides in space capabilities, estimating that the country conducted 60 successful space launches in 2022, deploying 180 satellites into orbit. This marked a five-fold increase compared to the figures from five years prior, firmly establishing China as a formidable player in the global space arena.
