China launched Wednesday a remote-sensing satellite, "Yaogan VII," from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province.

The satellite was successfully launched into the space on a Long March 2D carrier rocket at 4:42 p.m., the center reported.

It will be mainly used for scientific experiment, land resources survey, crop yield estimates and disaster prevention and reduction, according to the center.

The satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. The rocket was designed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, also under the corporation.

The flight was the 120th of the Long March series of carrier rockets.

Chinese satellite

A Long March 2D rocket carrying the remote-sensing satellite "Yaogan VII" lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province, December 9, 2009.