China sends multifunctional satellite into space

China launched a Long March 6 rocket on Thursday morning, sending a multifunctional satellite into orbit, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said.

The rocket lifted off at 10:12 am from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province and deployed the Tianping 3A-02 satellite as planned, the State-owned space contractor said in a statement.

Developed by the Shanghai-based Innovation Academy for Microsatellites under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the satellite will be used for radar calibration, radar cross-section measurement, and supporting experiments with ground-based optical equipment and low-orbit environmental surveyors, the statement said.

The academy said it has built and launched 168 satellites, with functions including communications, navigation, and scientific exploration.

The Long March 6, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, stands 29.3 meters tall and can carry multiple satellites into various types of orbits.

The launch was China's 18th space mission of the year and the 568th flight of the Long March rocket family, the country's main launch vehicle series.