China launches remote-sensing satellite

China launched a remote-sensing satellite on Wednesday morning for Earth observation purposes, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the nation's leading space contractor.

The State-owned conglomerate said in a news release that the Gaofen 12E was carried by a Long March 4C rocket that lifted off at 7:45 am at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern Gobi Desert and successfully arrived in its orbit.