China launches Earth-observation satellite carrying cameras and laser altimeter

China launched an Earth-observation satellite from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province on Tuesday, said authorities in charge of this program.

The China National Space Administration and the Ministry of Natural Resources said the Ziyuan 3D was lifted off at 11:17 am atop a Long March 4B carrier rocket to its preset orbit.

Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology in Beijing, the spacecraft is carrying sophisticated cameras and a laser altimeter to obtain high-definition three-dimensional and hyperspectral images. It is tasked with joining its two predecessors in the Ziyuan 3 series to carry out space-based mapping and geological information collection to provide data support to geological and resources survey, land planning and management, and environmental inspection, according to the authorities.

The Long March 4B rocket model is built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. It can transport multiple satellites with a combined weight of 2.5 metric tons to a typical sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers.

The launch marked the 87th space mission in China and the 617th flight of the Long March rocket fleet.