China Launches Yaogan-30 Remote Sensing Satellite

The satellite will be used for scientific experiments, land surveys, crop yield estimates and disaster relief.

AsianScientist (May 20, 2016) – China’s Yaogan-30 remote sensing satellite was sent into space on May 15 at 10:43 am from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert in Northwestern China. This is the fifth orbital launch that China has conducted so far this year. The first in the Yaogan series, Yaogan-1, was launched in 2006.

While there are very few known details about the satellite, it is believed that it will be used for scientific experiments, land surveys, crop yield estimates and disaster relief.

Yaogan-30 was carried by a Long March-2D rocket, the 227th mission for the Long March rocket family. As China continues to expand its rocket program, the Long March 5, the country’s first mass-produced and most technologically advanced rocket, is slated for takeoff in September this year. It will be using non-toxic, pollution-free propellant.

Once operational, Long March 5 will be used to launch large lunar probes and the manned space station that China plans to send into orbit around 2020.

See CCTV+ footage of the launch of Yaogan-30 below:



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Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine; Photo: Xinhua.net.
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Coming from a design background, Filzah brings a fresh perspective to science communications. She is particularly interested in healthcare and technology.

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