China launches "Yaogan VII" remote-sensing satellite

JIUQUAN, Gansu, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- China launched Wednesday a remote-sensing satellite, "Yaogan VII," from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province.

China's remote-sensing satellite, "Yaogan VII," was launched from  the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province  on Wednesday, December 9, 2009. [Photo: Hai Han/CFP]

The satellite was successfully launched into the space on a Long March 2D carrier rocket at 4:42 p.m., the center reported.

It will be mainly used for scientific experiment, land resources survey, crop yield estimates and disaster prevention and reduction, according to the center.

The satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. The rocket was designed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, also under the corporation.

The flight was the 120th of the Long March series of carrier rockets.

The satellite's predecessor, "Yaogan VI," was launched in April, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province.

"Yaogan V" was launched last December, also from Taiyuan.

"Yaogan IV" was also launched last December from Jiuquan and "Yaogan III" from Taiyuan in November 2007.

"Yaogan I" and "Yaogan II" satellites were launched in April 2006 and May 2007, respectively.