China launches three commercial remote sensing satellites

China launched three remote sensing satellites on Tuesday designed to improve observation capability to promote commercial use for the remote sensing industry, authorities said.

The three satellites -- Jilin-1 04, Jilin-1 05 and Jilin-1 06 -- were launched at 12.50 p.m., from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi province, reports Xinhua news agency.

It was the third launch of the Jilin-1 satellite family, a remote sensing system of more than 60 satellites developed by the Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd.

The system will be used for wide imaging, video imaging and multi-spectral imaging. Remote sensing data will serve administrations and commercial customers.

Tuesday's satellites were carried by a Long March-6 rocket, a new generation of China's liquid-fuelled carrier rocket developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

The launch is the second mission of the Long March-6 and the 255th flight carried out with the Long March series of carrier rockets.

--IANS

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