Long March 4C has successful launch

China launched a Long March 4C carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China on Friday afternoon to transport several satellites into space.

China Aerospace Science and Technology said in a statement that the rocket, built by its Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, blasted off at 12:47 pm and later joined the second group of the Yaogan 31-series remote-sensing satellites in orbit.

It was the 359th flight mission of the Long March fleet.

Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, also a CASC subsidiary, the satellites are tasked with scientific experiments, electromagnetic environment surveys and land and marine resources investigation.