China successfully sent into space a scientific research satellite at 9:39 AM Tuesday from northwest China's Gansu Province.

The satellite "Shijian XII," sent from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center of Gansu Province, was carried by the China-developed Long March 2D rocket.

Sources with the launch center said the satellite was designed for carrying out scientific and technological experiments including space environment probe, measurement and communications.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2010)