China sent an experimental satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Thursday.

The Shiyan 10-02 satellite was launched at 12:43 p.m. by a Long March 3B carrier rocket.

The Shiyan 10-02 satellite is launched by a Long March 3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, December 29, 2022. /Hu Xujie

The satellite will mainly be used for in-orbit verification of new technologies like space environment monitoring, according to the center. 

The launch marked the 458th flight mission of the Long March series carrier rockets.