China successfully launched into orbit the Shijian-class satellite, designed to test satellite technology and develop orbital applications.
According to Xinhua, the Shijian-28 satellite was launched using a Long March 7 (Great Approach) launch vehicle from the launch pad of the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on the island Hainan.
The launch was considered successful, the device entered the specified orbit. This was the 611th successful launch in the history of the Long March family of rockets.
The Shijian series satellites, developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), are used to monitor the space environment and improve technologies for orbital applications.
The Shijian (translated as “practice”, “application”) program is believed to be designed to test and implement technologies that were previously developed and tested in within the framework of other Chinese satellite programs – “Shiyan” (“experiment”) and “Chuanxin” (“innovation”).
The Shijian program is periodically criticized due to the fact that some launches are not officially announced, the orbital parameters of the associated satellites are not disclosed, and the devices themselves demonstrate maneuvers in close proximity to other satellites, including the ability to inspect or tow them.