China's Long March-11 carrier rocket succeeds in maiden mission

China successfully launched a new model of carrier rocket, the Long March-11, at 9:41 a.m. Friday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern province of Gansu. [Photo/WeChat]

JIUQUAN, Gansu - China successfully launched a new model of carrier rocket, the Long March-11, at 9:41 a.m. Friday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern province of Gansu.

The rocket carried four micro-satellites into space, which will be used mainly for testing.

The solid propellant rocket was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology with the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation.

The rocket will mainly be used for launching micro-satellites.

A statement from the academy said the successful launch of the rocket marked a major breakthrough for the nation in key technology for solid propellant rockets.

The trip was the 211th mission for the Long March rocket family.