China launches multifunctional satellite for UAE

China launched a Long March 2C carrier rocket on Monday morning to deploy a multifunctional satellite for the United Arab Emirates, according to the mission's launch contractor.

The rocket blasted off at 11:02 am from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province and soon placed the satellite, called SEO, into its predetermined orbit, China Great Wall Industry said in a statement.

China Great Wall Industry, the international trade arm of State-owned conglomerate China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, said the SEO mission aims to develop advanced space technologies and represents an ambitious step toward using space technologies to support sustainability and future development.

The mission seeks to provide data to support environmental protection and natural resource management, while enhancing planning and decision-making efficiency, the company said.

Monday's launch marked the 664th launch of the Long March rocket family.