China launches experimental satellite Shijian-16

[cirr]

English.news.cn 2013-10-25 13:46:26

JIUQUAN, Gansu, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched its Shijian-16 satellite for space research and experiments Friday, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center said.

The satellite was boosted by a Long March-4B carrier rocket at 11:50, according to the center in northwest China.

Shijian-16 is used mainly for conducting space environment exploration and technological experiments. Friday's launch marked the 182nd launch boosted by a Long March rocket.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-10/25/c_132830118.htm

 

[cirr]

Chinese Long March 4B lofts Shijian-16 satellite

October 25, 2013 by Rui C. Barbosa

The Chinese have conducted another surprise launch, this time orbiting the Shijian-16 satellite via the Long March-4B (Chang Zheng-4B) rocket. The launch took place from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 03:50 UTC on Friday, lifting off from the 603 platform at Launch Complex 43.

Chinese Launch:

The launch was not scheduled on official manifests, with only hints as to what the mission may involve on Chinese forums. Following launch, state media did confirm the satellite will be used for “space environment measurements and technology testing”.

For the last few months, specialists noted they were waiting for the launch of a new pair of Shijian-6 class satellites. However, state media reports confirm that this launch may be the follow-on to the SJ-6 series.

NORAD reported an object orbiting in a 599 x 616 km x 74.98 degree orbit.

Shijian-6 was a series of scientific satellites in which each mission was composed of two satellites designed for space scientific experiment.

Lofted by a single launch vehicle, Satellite A was developed by SAST while Satellite B was developed by China Spacesat Co Ltd of CAST. The onboard mission payload was developed by China Electronic Technology Group Corporation.

This was the first use of the Long March-4B from Jiuquan.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/chinese-long-march-4b-shijian-16/