The satellite was successfully launched into the space on a Long March 2C carrier rocket at 10:55 a.m., the center reported.

It will be mainly used for land resources survey, environmental surveillance and protection, urban planning, crop yield estimates, disaster prevention and reduction, and space science experiments, according to the center.

The satellite's predecessor, "Yaogan V," was launched last December, also from Taiyuan.

"Yaogan IV" was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province last December and "Yaogan III" from Taiyuan in November 2007.

"Yaogan I" and "Yaogan II" satellites were launched in April 2006 and May 2007, respectively.

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

The flight was the 117th of the Long March series of carrier rockets.

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Beijing (XNA) Mar 12, 2009
A Chinese astronautics professor said Tuesday the country is capable of sending astronauts to moon around 2020.