China launches experimental Shijian 31 satellite

China launched an experimental satellite on Tuesday afternoon, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the nation's dominant space contractor.

The company said in a news release that a Long March 3B carrier rocket blasted off at 5:45 pm from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern China to place the Shijian 31 satellite into orbit.

The satellite was designed and built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a Shanghai-based subsidiary, and is tasked with detecting the space environment, it said.

The Long March 3B rocket model, developed by its Beijing-based subsidiary China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, is one of the nation's most used rocket types. It is mainly used to launch satellites into geostationary transfer orbit and can carry 5.5 tons of payload to that orbit.

The launch marked the 43rd space mission in China this year and the 651st mission by the Long March rocket fleet.