A Chinese-French satellite was launched into orbit, CCTV reported

A satellite developed by China and France, the most powerful satellite yet to study the farthest starburst, was launched into orbit on Saturday, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The satellite, designed to study phenomena such as gamma-ray bursts, was put into orbit by a Chinese carrier rocket launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the country's southwestern Sichuan province, CCTV said.

The launch of the variable space object observer will play an important role in astronomical discoveries, the radio said, citing the China National Space Administration.

This is the first astronomy satellite developed by China and France, although they developed the Sino-French oceanographic satellite, which was launched in 2018, China Daily reported in April.

China's progress in space and lunar exploration is rapidly outpacing that of the United States, thus attracting partners from European and Asian countries.

China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe delivered payloads from the European Space Agency and Pakistani, French and Italian research institutes to the far side of the moon this month.

China is working with countries such as Brazil, Egypt and Thailand to develop and launch satellites. (Additional reporting by Samuel Shen in Shanghai and Eduardo Baptista in Beijing; Editor: William Mallard)