China launches experimental satellite into space

China launched an experimental satellite into space on Thursday, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.

The satellite, named Space-based Internet Technology Demonstrator, was designed and built by the Shanghai-based Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

It was transported into its preset orbit by a Long March 2D carrier rocket that blasted off at 6:00 pm at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern China's Sichuan province.

The Long March 2D model, designed and built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, is propelled by liquid propellants and has a liftoff thrust of 300 metric tons. It is capable of sending a 1.3-ton spacecraft to a typical sun-synchronous orbit with an altitude of 700 kilometers.

The mission was China's 54th rocket launch this year and the 498th flight of the Long March rocket family, the nation's main launch vehicle fleet.