China has successfully launched a Yaogan-30 remote-sensing satellite into orbit to carry out land surveys and assist with disaster relief efforts.

A Chinese Long March-2D rocket carried the satellite into space on May 15 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China’s Gobi desert.

Scientists will use the Yaogan-30 to conduct land surveys, estimate crop yields, collect information for disaster relief efforts and carry out experiments in space.