Posted: Wed, Dec 9, 2009, 9:46 PM ET (0246 GMT)
A Long March rocket placed a Chinese remote sensing satellite into orbit on Wednesday. The Long March 2D rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China at 5:42 am EST (1042 GMT, 4:42 pm Beijing time) and placed the Yaogan 7 satellite into orbit. Chinese officials said the satellite, whose launch was not announced in advance, is a remote sensing satellite that will be used for scientific experiments and land resources. Some Western observers believe the satellite is used for military applications.

Related Links:

•  Xinhua article
•  Spaceflight Now article