China Launches Remote-Sensing Sat

China has launched a remote-sensing satellite on Long March 2C from Taiyuan launch center in the north of Shanxi province.

According to Xinhua news service, the satellite, Yaogan VI, is one of a series that has been used for data collection for "scientific experiments, land resource surveys, crop yield estimates and disaster prevention and reduction."

However, Western analysts say the satellite may be intended primarily for military applications. They say some satellites in the Yaogan series have carried synthetic aperture radars, while others have had optical imaging payloads.

Chinese media reports say the launch was at 2:55 GMT, or 10:55 a.m. local time, April 22. The launch center is used primarily to place satellites into polar orbits.

Yaogan VI launch photo: China National Space Administration