China launches commercial remote-sensing satellites

Beijing: China launched four satellites on Wednesday for commercial remote-sensing services, an important step in the development of remote-sensing space technology.

The "Jilin-1" satellites, launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China's Gansu province, include one optical remote-sensing satellite, two satellites for video imaging and another for imaging technique testing, Xinhua cited the launch centre as saying.

All four satellites were developed and produced by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd.

The company will also take charge of commercial operations of the satellites to provide remote-sensing data and relevant products, which may be used for the monitoring, development, and surveying of resources as well as mapping and disaster prevention for domestic and overseas clients, according to the statement.

The satellites were carried by a Long March-2D rocket. It is the 213th mission carried out with Long-March-series carrier rockets. 

"In the near future, more information provided by the satellites will be shared, and more satellite functions will be explored," said Xuan Ming, board chairman of the company.

Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd, sponsored by the Jilin provincial government, the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and some privately-owned companies, plans to launch 60 satellites by 2020 and 137 by 2030.