China launches remote sensing satellite

Yaogan IV, a remote sensing satellite, is lifted off on a Long March-2D carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province December 1, 2008. [CFP]

China launched a new remote sensing satellite "Yaogan IV" on Monday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province.The satellite will be used for scientific research, land resources surveying, crop yield estimate and disaster prevention and relief, according to its chief developer, China Academy of Space Technology.The satellite was launched on a Long March-2D carrier rocket. This was the 113th launch of China's Long March series of rockets.