CZ-2D - Shi Jian-12 (Launched June 14)

[Zipi]

Launch time: 1:39 am UTC, June 15, 2010
Launch site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center

Launch video: http://tv.people.com.cn/GB/166419/11883711.html
CZ-2D Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March_2D
CRIENGLISH News Article: http://english.cri.cn/6909/2010/06/15/1821s576844.htm
Xinhua's Article (in Chinese): http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2010-06 ... 223716.htm

Exact launch time: 0939:04.115UTC
SJ-12 Orbit: 575 x 597 km x 97.7 deg

 

[Zipi]

Spaceflight Now's article: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1006/15longmarch/

Some quotes:

The 13-story rocket, powered by two hydrazine-fueled stages, delivered the Shijian 12 to an orbit over Earth's poles.

......

Xinhua reported the spacecraft will be conducting a variety of experiments, inlcuding "space environment probe, measurement and communications."

The satellite was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, according to Xinhua.

China has previously launched Shijian satellites to test new technologies, carry out space experiments, measure the radiation environment in orbit and conduct other scientific research.

Shijian means "practice" in Chinese.