A Long March-4B carrier rocket blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province, Oct 25, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

JIUQUAN, Gansu - China successfully launched its Shijian-16 satellite for space research and experiments Friday, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center said.

The satellite was boosted by a Long March-4B carrier rocket at 11:50, according to the center in Northwest China.

Shijian-16 is used mainly for conducting space environment exploration and technological experiments. Friday's launch marked the 182nd launch boosted by a Long March rocket.