XICHANG -- China sent a new test satellite for communication technology into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern Sichuan province early on Monday.

The satellite was launched by a Long March-3B rocket at 1:17 am (Beijing Time). It has entered the planned orbit, marking the success of the launch, according to the launch center.

The satellite will be mainly used to carry out multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation, said the center.

This launch was the 562nd mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.