China launches new remote sensing satellites

Two remote sensing satellites were successfully sent into space Tuesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

The satellites, both belonging to the Yaogan-32 family, were launched by a Long March-2C rocket with an upper stage on its top, at 10:43 a.m. Beijing time.

The satellites have entered the planned orbits, and will be used for electromagnetic environment surveys and other related technology tests.

This was the first flight of the upper stage named Yuanzheng-1S, or Expedition-1S. It cooperated well with the Long March-2C rocket and much improved the carrying capacity of the rocket, according to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

Tuesday's launch was the 286th mission of the Long March rocket series.