China launched pulsar test satellite

Beijing, Nov 10 : China on Thursday successfully launched a satellite into space to detect signs of pulsar, which are very high density stars formed exclusively by neutron.

The satellite, designed by academies affiliated to the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, took off at 7.42 a.m from Jiuquan launch base in the Gobi desert.

The satellite launch was conducted on a Long March-11 rocket which debuted last year.Upon entering the orbit, the satellite will conduct tests on signal and adaptation to the space environment.

The pulsar, born of supernovae explosions, emits electromagnetic radiation on a regular basis.

Neutron stars also rotate at high speed and have a slightly greater mass than the sun but concentrated within a radius of 10 km approximately, which gives them a high density.