Article Posted on : - Aug 01, 2011

Long March II-C launch. A file photo.

JIUQUAN, GANSU (BNS): China has successfully launched an experimental orbiter, SJ-11-02, into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu province on Friday.

The experimental orbiter was sent into space with the help of Long March II-C carrier rocket, at 3:42 PM, according to a news report by China Daily.

The satellite developed by China Space Co., Ltd., which comes under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, will be used primarily for space science and technology experiments, the company said.

Earlier on Wednesday, China put in orbit its ninth 'Beidou' navigation satellite to boost the indigenous satellite navigation network.

The satellite was launched by a Long March-3A carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

This Friday launch marked the 142nd flight for the Long March rocket family.