China successfully launches "Mapping Satellite-I"

China successfully launched a new mapping satellite, "Mapping Satellite-I", from the northwestern Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 3:10 p.m. Beijing time on Aug. 24.

The satellite, which was launched on a Long March-2D carrier rocket, had entered into the preset orbit, according to Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

The "Mapping Satellite-I," which was developed by Dong Fanghong Satellite Co., Ltd. under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and will mainly be used to conduct scientific experiments, carry out surveys of land resources, perform ground mapping and in many scientific experiments.

The Long March-2D carrier rocket was developed and manufactured by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The launch was the 128th flight for China's Long March series of rockets.

The remote sensing information and test results from the mapping satellite will promote the country's scientific research and plays a positive role in economic development.

By Zhang Qian , People's Daily Online