China successfully launches new test satellite

A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-31 test satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 13, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

JIUQUAN, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched a new test satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Monday.

The Shiyan-31 test satellite was launched at 6:00 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-2D carrier rocket and entered the preset orbit successfully.

This satellite will be mainly used to verify new optical imaging technologies.

This launch marked the 599th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-31 test satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 13, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-31 test satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 13, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-31 test satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 13, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)