Posted: Sun, Jul 21, 2013, 9:29 AM ET (1329 GMT)
A Chinese Long March rocket launched three experimental satellites on Saturday. The Long March 4C rocket lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center at 7:37 pm EDT Friday (2337 GMT Friday, 7:37 am Beijing time Saturday) carrying the Chuangxin-3, Shiyan-7, and Shijian-15 satellites. The three spacecraft will be used for experiments on "space maintenance technologies," according to official Chinese media. The launch was not announced in advance, with word of the launch reportedly leaking out through Chinese social media just hours in advance.

Related Links:

•  NASASpaceFlight.com article
•  RIA Novosti article
•  Xinhua article