China puts two technology demonstration satellites into orbit

China launched two technology demonstration satellites into space on Wednesday morning, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the nation's leading space contractor.

A Long March 7A carrier rocket lifted off at 6:40 am from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province and soon transported the Shijian 29A and 29B satellites to their preset orbit, the State-owned company said in a news release.

The Shijian 29A was made by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp subsidiary, while the Shijian 29B was built by Shanghai-based Innovation Academy for Microsatellites, a subsidiary of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Both of the satellites are tasked with demonstrating new technologies for space-based target detection.

The Long March 7A rocket model is made by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology in Beijing, another China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp subsidiary. It has a liftoff weight of 573 metric tons and a core-stage diameter of 3.35 meters, and is capable of placing a 7-ton spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit.

The launch marked the 93rd space mission in China and the 623rd flight of the Long March rocket fleet.