Posted: Wed, Jul 6, 2005, 8:47 AM ET (1247 GMT)
China launched a small experimental satellite early Wednesday. A Long March 2D rocket lifted off Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 6:40 pm EDT Tuesday (2240 GMT Tuesday, 6:40 am Beijing time Wednesday) and placed the Shijian-7 (SJ-7) satellite into orbit 12 minutes later. Chinese media reports state that SJ-7 will "monitor [the] space environment and conduct other spacial scientific and technological experiments" during its three-year mission. Plans for the launch were not announced before liftoff, as is often the case with Chinese missions.

Related Links:

•  People's Daily article
•  PTI article
•  Xinhua article