China sent a new communication technology test satellite into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in its southwest Sichuan Province on Friday.

The Shiyan-21 satellite was launched at 6:55 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket and entered the preset orbit successfully.

The satellite will be mainly used for satellite communication, radio and television, data transmission and other services, as well as for conducting related technical tests and verifications.

This was the 609th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.