China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the country's primary space contractor, has announced the successful launch of a set of remote-sensing satellites, Yaogan 39, early on Tuesday morning. The satellites were carried into orbit by a Long March 2D rocket, taking off at 4:03 am from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province.

Developed jointly by the China Academy of Space Technology in Beijing and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, these satellites are the latest addition to China's Yaogan network. Remote-sensing satellites play a crucial role in observing, surveying, measuring land and sea objects, and monitoring weather.

China's Yaogan satellite family constitutes the largest fleet of remote-sensing spacecraft in the country. The data collected by these satellites serves a wide range of applications for governments, public services, and businesses.

This launch marks the fourth deployment of the Yaogan 39-series satellites, further enhancing China's capabilities in this critical area of technology.

The Long March 2D rocket, designed and built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, is powered by liquid propellants and boasts a liftoff thrust of 300 metric tons. This launch vehicle can transport a 1.3-ton spacecraft to a typical sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers.

This mission represents China's 48th rocket launch of the year and the 492nd flight of the Long March rocket family, which is the nation's primary fleet of launch vehicles. It also signifies the 200th flight of rockets produced by the Shanghai academy. (ILKHA)