China has launched a further technology test satellite in its SHI JIAN series. The mission lifted-off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China, at 0127 GMT on 24 October and utilised a Long March 3B/G2 (CZ-3B/G2) rocket. The satellite, known as Shi Jian 21 (SJ-21), was deployed into a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) at circa 225 x 35,800 km, inclined at 28.47 degrees. Its purpose has been reported as “to test and verify space debris mitigation technologies”.