The probe will survey the cosmos for gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe.
118th space launch in 2024, Chinas 29th, 2nd this month, 4th for Long March 2C.
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Its extremely toxic and carcinogenic, Schiller said.
Every living being that inhales that stuff will have a hard time in the near future.
The launch from the Xichang cosmodrome was unsuccessful.
Gamma-ray bursts are brief flashes of extreme electromagnetic radiation.
Scientists have traced them to the birth of black holes or the collision of neutron stars.
The cosmic beams radiate energy equivalent to the power of over a billion billion suns.
Scientists at the French and Chinese space agencies developed SVOM over the course of almost two decades.
Joint space efforts at this level between the West and China are rare.
This is especially true since the US banned all cooperation between NASA and Beijing in 2011.
SVOM will allow scientists in both regions to better understand the evolution of the universe.
This includes the death of stars and the creation of black holes.
The satellite is expected to observe over 80 gamma-ray bursts per year.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
