The ChinaSat 9A probe was steered towards its target orbit above the equator in Southeast Asia on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

Surprise, relief as China’s key satellite makes it to orbit despite rocket launch failure

But the communication probe may have wiped two or three years off its lifespan by burning precious fuel to get back on track, scientist says

Topic | China science

Stephen Chen in Beijing

Published: 10:00pm, 6 Jul, 2017

Updated: 11:24pm, 6 Jul, 2017

The ChinaSat 9A probe was steered towards its target orbit above the equator in Southeast Asia on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

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Stephen Chen

Stephen Chen investigates major research projects in China, a new power house of scientific and technological innovation. He has worked for the Post since 2006. He is an alumnus of Shantou University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the Semester at Sea programme which he attended with a full scholarship from the Seawise Foundation.