China sent two satellites into planned orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province Saturday.

The two new technology experiment satellites, launched by a Long March-11 carrier rocket at 4:13 a.m. (Beijing Time), will be mainly used for the new Earth-observation technology experiment.

The Long March-11, developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, is the only rocket that uses solid propellants among China's Long March rocket series. It is mainly used to carry small satellites and can take multiple satellites into orbit at the same time.

It was the first time that the Long March-11 was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, proving its adaptability to different launch sites.

The fairing is a piece of material that is part of the rocket's nose cone to protect the payload. The Long March-11 used a fairing 2 meters in diameter for the first time. It provides more space to the payload, enabling the launch of multiple satellites on a single rocket.

Saturday's launch was the 332nd mission of the Long March rocket series.