At 0617 GMT on 16 December a Long March 11 (CZ-11) rocket placed the Shiyan 21 test satellite into LEO. The mission took place from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China. “Shiyan” translates to English as “experiment” and these satellites are routinely described by Chinese authorities as having an “in-orbit verification” mission for new technologies.
The Long March 11 rocket taking flight. Courtesy of Xinhua/Ying Longfei
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