China has successfully launched a Yaogan-30 remote-sensing satellite into orbit to carry out land surveys and assist with disaster relief efforts.

A Chinese Long March-2D rocket carried the satellite into space Sunday morning from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi desert. 

Scientists will use the Yaogan-30 to conduct land surveys, estimate crop yields, collect information for disaster relief efforts and carry out experiments in space.

JIUQUAN, May 15, 2016 (Xinhua) -- A Long March 2-D rocket carrying the Yaogan-30 remote sensing satellite blasts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu Province, May 15, 2016. China's Yaogan-30 remote sensing satellite was sent into space on Sunday at 10:43 a.m. from Jiuquan in northwestern China's gobi desert.The satellite will be used for experiments, land surveys, crop yield estimates and disaster relief. (Xinhua/Wang Jiangbo)