China's satellite maker Dongfanghong Satellite Co. delivered on Monday the operation rights of a satellite to its end user, a space center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The satellite, or Probe No.1, was launched on Dec. 30, 2003 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province for the Center for Space Science and Applied Research under CAS, the country's biggest research institution.

A panel of Chinese and European experts who have been commissioned to evaluate the satellite in orbit said after three months of test operation, the satellite has proved to be up to design requirements and working normally.

With its orbit ranging from 550 km to 66,970 km, Probe No.1 is part of the "Double Star Project ", which was initiated by Chinese scientists in 1997.

Two satellites will be used by scientists to probe important areas of two magnetic fields of Earth space, comprising the Earth's magnetic field, ionosphere and middle to high layers of atmosphere.

The system will be capable of probing in three dimensions the incidence and development of space storms in a bid to find ways to improve safety for space activities.

Probe No.1 is the highest flying satellite China has ever launched, and it carries instruments provided by European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences .

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2004)