China launches remote-sensing satellite

Beijing: China Thursday launched remote-sensing satellite Yaogan XIIII that will be used to survey land resources, monitor crop yields and help in natural disaster reduction and prevention.

The satellite was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi province, Xinhua reported.

It was carried into space on a Long March 4B carrier rocket which blasted off at 3.06 p.m.

The carrier rocket was made by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

Thursday's launch was the 162nd mission of the Long-March-series.

Another tiny satellite named Tiantuo I - weighing only 9.3 kg - was also sent into orbit. It will be used for data reception, optical imaging and various space exploration experiments in orbit.

IANS