China successfully launches remote-sensing satellite

China successfully launched a remote-sensing satellite on Wednesday that it says will be used to conduct scientific experiments, carry out surveys on land resources, monitor crop yields and help with natural disaster prevention and response.

Called Yaogan XIII, the spacecraft was carried into orbit aboard a Long March 2C rocket at 02:50 Beijing time, according to a press release from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in the northern province of Shanxi.

The Long March 2C rocket is produced by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

Wednesday's flight was the vehicle's first outing since failing on a mission in August.