Satellites focus on rescue and damage control work

China has mobilized at least eight of its satellites to help with search-and-rescue and damage control work after last week's massive blasts in Tianjin.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp activated its emergency response mechanism on the morning of Aug 13, several hours after the deadly warehouse explosions rocked the port city.

It used the Gaofen 2 high-resolution Earth observation satellite, the Ziyuan 3 Earth mapping satellite and Shijian 9A technology test satellite to perform four observation operations between last Friday and Monday this week, according to a statement on the company's website.