Chinese Long March Sends Yaogan 14, Tiantuo 1 into Orbit

[Satellite TODAY 05-11-12] China has successfully launched its Yaogan 14 remote-sensing satellite from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in the northern province of Shanxi, Chinese officials announced May 10.

   The satellite was carried into orbit aboard a China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. Long March 4B rocket. Yaogan 14 will be used to conduct scientific experiments, carry out surveys on land resources, monitor crop yields and assist with natural disaster-reduction and prevention.

   The Tiantuo 1 microsatellite also was sent into orbit during the Yaogan 14 mission. The satellite will mainly be used for data reception for the satellite-based vessel Automatic Identification System, optical imaging and various space exploration experiments in orbit, Chinese officials said.