China has launched the country's first data relay satellite. It's expected to to improve communications between mission control and a new rocket due to launch later this year. CRI's Lu Chen has the details.

The "Tianlian I" was sent up aboard a Long March-3C carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The satellite will not start operations until the Shenzhou VII mission scheduled for the second half of this year, during which Chinese astronauts will attempt the country's first space walk.

Zhang Jianqi is a top official with China's space programs.

"The successful launch of the satellite will increase the time Shenzhou VII spaceship is in communication with the ground stations, and improve the amount of data that can be transferred."

The new satellite is aimed to increase the speed and accuracy of information gain from other satellites, and alert scientists to any problems.

Ma Xingrui is president of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

"The Long March rockets make up a complete series which is able of carrying various rockets up to the space. So in this sense, the rockets have become much more competitive in the international market."

China has 10 launches planned this year including the Shenzhou VII spaceship.

The Shenzhou VII will be launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern province of Gansu later this year.

Lu Chen, CRI news.