A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched the Shijian 12 scientific research satellite June 15 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Gansu Province, according to China’s Xinhua news agency.

The satellite, which Xinhua said was designed to carry out various scientific and technological experiments, was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a research institute affiliated with the state-run China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.