China successfully launched a new remote sensing satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Saturday. A Long March-2C rocket carrying the AlSat-3B satellite lifted off at 12:01 p.m. (Beijing Time) and placed the satellite into its preset orbit.

Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the satellite will primarily be used for areas such as land planning and disaster prevention and mitigation.

The launch is part of the Algeria remote sensing satellite system program, a joint project between China Great Wall Industry Corporation, a CASC subsidiary, and the Algerian Space Agency. An agreement signed in July 2023 includes two optical remote sensing satellites, the AlSat-3B and the AlSat-3A, which was launched on January 15, along with ground systems, training, and related support services.

This launch marked the 629th flight of the Long March carrier rocket series.