China launches first X-ray space telescope

Beijing: China on Thursday successfully launched its first X-ray space telescope to help scientists study the evolution of black holes, strong magnetic fields and gamma-ray bursts.

The 2.5-tonne Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), dubbed ‘Insight’, via a long March-4B rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch



Center in northwest China’s Gobi Desert, was launched into an orbit of 550 kilometres above the earth.

Through the telescope, scientists will also study how to use pulsars for spacecraft navigation, and search for gamma-ray bursts corresponding to gravitational waves, State-run news agency Xinhua reported.