WENCHANG, Hainan, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday sent a payload combination of a satellite and an upper stage aircraft into space with the latest heavy-lift Long March-5 carrier rocket.
In its maiden flight, the rocket blasted off at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, at around 8:43 p.m. Thursday Beijing Time.
Shijian-17, developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, is a satellite for verifying new technology in geostationary orbit, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence said.
China Satellite Communications Corporation will run communication and broadcast services through the satellite, and verify technology in observation of space debris, new electric sources, and electric propulsion.
The Yuanzheng-2 is China's largest liquid-fuel upper stage aircraft with the strongest capability for orbit transfer. The integration of Yuanzheng-2 with Long March-5 carrier rocket will strengthen China's capability to launch multiple satellites with one vehicle and send satellites directly into orbit.