The China Space Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced on Saturday it has successfully launched 36 remote-sensing satellites into space for scientific exploration.
A Long March 2D rocket lifted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southern China on Friday (Oct. 14) at 19:12 GMT (3:12 a.m. on Oct. 15 Beijing time).
The rocket apparently carried three satellites in China’s Yaogan 36 series. The spacecraft were successfully deployed into their designated orbit, according to Chinese media reports.
It’s unclear exactly what the newly launched trio will do; China reveals few details about the Yaogan satellites, whose name translates as “remote sensing.”
Chinese state media have said that the spacecraft gather scientific data, helping researchers conduct land surveys and monitor agriculture production, among other tasks. However, Western experts say Yaogan satellites also collect imagery for use by the Chinese military.
There’s likely to be considerable diversity in Yaogan job descriptions; China has launched dozens of the spacecraft over the past few years, including 20 since March alone.
The Yaogan 36 launch was part of a busy day in spaceflight. Also on Friday, SpaceX’s Crew-4 astronaut mission came home from the International Space Station after a 5.5-month orbital stay.
And a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to loft a communications satellite for the European company Eutelsat on Friday night at 03:26 GMT on Oct. 15.
