Posted: Sat, Sep 6, 2008, 8:20 AM ET (1220 GMT)
A Long March rocket placed two satellites into orbit Saturday designed to monitor the environment and natural disasters. The Long March 2C lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center at 11:25 pm EDT Friday (0325 GMT Saturday) and put the Huan Jing 1A and 1B satellites into orbit. The two spacecraft are equipped with optical and infrared cameras designed to help support recovery operations for earthquakes, severe weather, and other natural disasters. While China has launched a number of remote sensing satellites over the years, these are the first specifically designated for disaster monitoring work. The launch is the fourth this year by China.

Related Links:

•  Xinhua article