A race into orbit is underway as the Chinese government decides which of the country's first two China-made space telescopes is to be launched first.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) announced two firsts yesterday (Wednesday) with the successful development of the country's first space solar telescope (SST) and its first hard X-ray modulation telescope.

"The final result of which telescope will be manufactured and launched first and when will be decided in August," said Jin Shengzhen, a researcher with the National Astronomical Observatories of CAS, which is leading SST development.

"Since both projects have gone through years of research and development and boast highly advanced technology, it is only a matter of which goes up first."

Jin said once the government approves the SST project, the launch will probably be in 2010.

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