China launches second Shijian-16 series satellite

China has successfully launched its second Shijian-16 series satellite for space research and experiments. The first Shijian-16 satellite was launched in October 2013. The satellite was launched on board of Long March-4B rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Jiuquan, northwest China’s Gansu Province. It was the 231st by a Long March rocket. Key Facts The second Shijian-16

satellite will be used for space environment measurements and technology testing. It will mainly probe the space environment, radiation and its effects and also record space physical environment parameters and conduct other related space experiments. About Long March-4B rocket Long March-4B rocket is s a Chinese orbital carrier rocket used to launch sun-synchronous orbiting meteorological satellites. The carries was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology (SAST) and was first introduced in May 1999. It is three stages rocket weighing 248470 kg and s 45.58 meters long and has diameter of 3.35 meters. It is capable to launch a 2800 kg satellite into low Earth orbit.