China Launches New Research Satellite Into Orbit

A Chinese Long March 2D rocket carrying the new satellite Shijian ("Practice" in Chinese) blasted off on June 15 at 9:39 p.m. from the Jiuquan space center. (Image credit: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation)

Chinasuccessfully shot a scientific research satellite into orbit on a Long Marchrocket Monday, marking the country's fourth space launch of the year.

The satellitelifted off on a Long March 2D rocket at 0139 GMT Tuesday (9:39 p.m. Monday)from the Jiuquan space center near the border of northern China's InnerMongolia and Gansu provinces, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

The 13-storyrocket, powered by two hydrazine-fueled stages, delivered the Shijian 12 to anorbit over Earth's poles.

Xinhuareported the spacecraft will be conducting a variety of experiments, inlcuding"space environment probe, measurement and communications."

Shijianmeans "practice" in Chinese.

Monday'slaunch was the 12th flight of the Long March 2D rocket since 1992 and the 27th space launch toreach orbit worldwide this year.

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