China launched a pulsar test satellite at 7:42 a.m. Thursday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The satellite was carried by a Long March-11 rocket and it was the 239th flight mission by a Long March carrier rocket.
While in orbit, the satellite will undergo tests on its detector functions and space environment adaptability.
The satellite and the rocket were designed by academies affiliated with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.