China has launched its first heavy lift rocket, the Long March 5, from Wenchang launch center.

It is believed that the flight took an experimental satellite called Shijian-17 to the orbit. The satellite is designed for testing electric propulsion technology. However, the main purpose of the launch was to test the rocket's capabilities.

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The rocket was launched from Hainan Island on China's southern coast at 8:43 AM EDT on Thursday.

According to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the 57-meter tall rocket can lift 27.6 tons to low earth orbit. It can also take 14 metric tons to more far off geostationary transfer orbit.

The Chinese rocket is comparable to one of the most powerful rockets operating currently, which is United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy Launcher.

The Long March 5 is designed to play an important part in China's ambitious space plans. It will be used for launching the big modules, which constitute the country's 60-ton space station. China plans to have this space station operational by 2022.

It is also likely that the rocket may be used for launching the Chang'e 5 robotic moon mission scheduled for the next year. Another likely use for the rocket may involve launching of the Mars orbiter and rover in 2020.

The new rocket belongs to Long March family, which has been operational for over four decades.

Apart from Long March 5, there are two other new entrants in the family of China's rockets, the Long March 6 and Long March 7. These three new vehicles use kerosene/liquid oxygen combo fuel instead of more toxic fuels such as asdinitrogen tetroxide used by the earlier Long March rockets.

TagsWenchang launch center, Chang'e 5 robotic moon mission, Long March 5