China “secretly” launch three satellites via Long March 4C

[cirr]

July 19, 2013

By Rui C. Barbosa

In what was one of the most secretive Chinese missions in recent years, a Long March 4C launched three military satellites. The launch, which occurred at 23:37 UTC from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on Friday, was the subject of a state media blackout, with news leaking via social media just hours before lift-off.

Chinese Launch:

Chinese media refer to the new mission as launching three technological satellites: namely the Chuang Xin-3, the Shiyan Weixing-7 and the Shijian-15.

The first Chuang Xin (‘Innovation’) sats were experimental telecommunications microsatellites designed and built by the China Academy of Sciences.

Shiyan Weixing satellites are usually used to test new technologies as well as the Shijian (‘Practice’) satellites used for technological demonstration. Shijian-15 probably will test a Chinese robotic arm, a mission that has been planned and announced for some time, while Shiyan-7 will scan for orbital debris.

More at：China “secretly” launch three satellites via Long March 4C | NASASpaceFlight.com

 

[cirr]

China launches three experimental satellites

English.news.cn 2013-07-20 08:44:57

A Long March-4C carrier rocket carring three satellites for scientific experiments blasts off from the launch pad in the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, July 20, 2013. China successfully launched three satellites for scientific experiments, namely the Chuangxin-3, Shiyan-7 and Shijian-15, into space at 7:37 a.m. Saturday. The three satellites will be used mainly for conducting scientific experiments on space maintenance technologies. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

TAIYUAN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched three satellites for scientific experiments into space at 7:37 a.m. Saturday, the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center said.

The Chuangxin-3, Shiyan-7 and Shijian-15 satellites were boosted by a Long March-4C carrier rocket, according to the center in north China's Shanxi Province.

The three satellites will be used mainly for conducting scientific experiments on space maintenance technologies.

This marks the 179th launch boosted by a Long March rocket, according to the center.

China launches three experimental satellites - Xinhua | English.news.cn